8 questions every parent should ask on a school visit

A school visit is your one chance to test the marketing against reality. Come with questions, and listen as much to how they are answered as to what is said. When you have a shortlist, compare your options on Praecip first.

1. "How do you support a pupil who falls behind?"

Every school can teach a strong pupil. The good ones have a real, named system for the ones who struggle.

2. "How long have your heads of department been here?"

Teacher stability is the quiet engine of results. High turnover, however well spun, is a red flag.

3. "What does the full fees structure cover?"

Push past tuition to requirements, levies and the extras that appear each term. Surprises here are expensive.

4. "Where did last year's S6 class go?"

A confident answer with specifics signals a school that tracks its own outcomes. A vague one signals the opposite.

5. "Can I see the science labs in use?"

Ask to see facilities working, not just standing. Open, staffed labs beat impressive but idle ones.

6. "How do you communicate with parents?"

You are buying a relationship, not just a place. Find out how, and how often, the school will actually talk to you.

7. "What happens when there is a discipline problem?"

The honest answer tells you whether the school leads with fairness or with fear.

8. "What would you change if you could?"

A head who can name a weakness candidly is usually running a healthier school than one who claims none.

Trust what you see on an ordinary day over what you are told on an open one, then browse more schools to widen the field.