Choosing the best school for your child
Finding the best school for your child can be a difficult and lengthy process, particularly when the school is in another country and often in high demand. Every child is different, and every school has different qualities and characteristics, which only adds to the challenge.
At Pippa’s Guardians, we are here to offer expert advice on choosing the right school.
We will get to know your child, understand his or her needs and your aspirations and advise on school applications to ensure you make the best possible choice.
This personal service is delivered on line through video calls and emails, helping guide you through choosing the ideal school as well as the application process.
Choosing the best school for your child
Finding the best school for your child can be a difficult and lengthy process, particularly when the school is in another country and often in high demand. Every child is different, and every school has different qualities and characteristics, which only adds to the challenge.
At Pippa’s Guardians, we are here to offer expert advice on choosing the right school.
We will get to know your child, understand his or her needs and your aspirations and advise on school applications to ensure you make the best possible choice.
This personal service is delivered on line through video calls and emails, helping guide you through choosing the ideal school as well as the application process.
The service comprises 5 key stages:
A free initial consultation with the parents.
This will include a discussion about school choice factors, such as single sex or coeducational, religious or non-denominational, location, ethos, curriculum options, examination results, extra-curricular strengths and any special requirements.
It is also an opportunity for you to meet the team delivering the School Advice Service and ask questions relating to the process.
We also offer an optional student assessment at this stage and a review of your child’s most recent school reports, academic progress and other extra-curricular achievements or abilities.
Providing your child is old enough and has at least a basic level of English, we will interview your child informally by video call and discuss their academic and cocurricular interests and test the student in Mathematics and English.
Following this assessment, we will provide a written report which will offer general advice on any areas which they should look to improve upon.
This allows us to give more tailored advice and guidance to applying to the best possible school.
Based on the assessment, the team will now carry out extensive research on UK schools to identify 5 schools that suit your child’s abilities, interests and aspirations. We will make contact with the admissions departments of possible schools and discuss their requirements and the availability of places. Visits or online meetings can also be organised where helpful.
We will provide a report containing a short list of 5 potential schools that meet the requirements.
A video call with the parents will then be arranged to discuss the report and schools shortlisted.
Once you have decided on which school(s) to apply to, we will offer tailored advice and guidance through the school’s application process.
We will help to ensure the school applications are filled in correctly and your child’s strengths strongly identified.
As each school has a different set of entrance criteria, we will compare your child’s ability to the school’s requirements and advise on any areas which could be improved to increase the chance being accepted. This may include recommendations for tutoring, entrance examination preparation or interview skills practice.
Following the school’s decision on your application, a final online meeting is available giving your child the opportunity to review their entrance interview or exam.
If your application was unsuccessful, we can suggest other alternatives and options available in the UK.
If your child was successful, you will have the opportunity to discuss guardianship services including welfare and academic
support during the school year with a Manager from Pippa’s Guardians.
Tutoring and practice for a school entrance interview tailored to a specific school – 4x 60 minute lessons (If you are applying to multiple schools with entrance examinations, you will need multiple sessions)
Entrance exam preparation for chosen school – 4×60 minute lessons
The service comprises 5 key stages:
A free initial consultation with the parents.
This will include a discussion about school choice factors, such as single sex or coeducational, religious or non-denominational, location, ethos, curriculum options, examination results, extra-curricular strengths and any special requirements.
It is also an opportunity for you to meet the team delivering the School Advice Service and ask questions relating to the process.
We also offer an optional student assessment at this stage and a review of your child’s most recent school reports, academic progress and other extra-curricular achievements or abilities.
Providing your child is old enough and has at least a basic level of English, we will interview your child informally by video call and discuss their academic and cocurricular interests and test the student in Mathematics and English.
Following this assessment, we will provide a written report which will offer general advice on any areas which they should look to improve upon.
This allows us to give more tailored advice and guidance to applying to the best possible school.
Based on the assessment, the team will now carry out extensive research on UK schools to identify 5 schools that suit your child’s abilities, interests and aspirations. We will make contact with the admissions departments of possible schools and discuss their requirements and the availability of places. Visits or online meetings can also be organised where helpful.
We will provide a report containing a short list of 5 potential schools that meet the requirements.
A video call with the parents will then be arranged to discuss the report and schools shortlisted.
Once you have decided on which school(s) to apply to, we will offer tailored advice and guidance through the school’s application process.
We will help to ensure the school applications are filled in correctly and your child’s strengths strongly identified.
As each school has a different set of entrance criteria, we will compare your child’s ability to the school’s requirements and advise on any areas which could be improved to increase the chance being accepted. This may include recommendations for tutoring, entrance examination preparation or interview skills practice.
Following the school’s decision on your application, a final online meeting is available giving your child the opportunity to review their entrance interview or exam.
If your application was unsuccessful, we can suggest other alternatives and options available in the UK.
If your child was successful, you will have the opportunity to discuss guardianship services including welfare and academic
support during the school year with a Manager from Pippa’s Guardians.
Tutoring and practice for a school entrance interview tailored to a specific school – 4x 60 minute lessons (If you are applying to multiple schools with entrance examinations, you will need multiple sessions)
Entrance exam preparation for chosen school – 4×60 minute lessons
Who delivers this service?
Pippa’s School Advice Service is delivered by Chris Curl and Emma Burgess.
Educated at The King’s School, Canterbury and with over 30 years experience in Independent Prep and Senior Day and Boarding schools and Universities, including 16 as a Headmaster, Chris offers advice to parents looking to find the right school for their child/ children. Chris also has experience of working with international students and has directed International Summer Language Schools over many years.
Emma was educated in London Independent Schools and has taught in several including as SENDCo & Deputy Head. She took her BA and
PGCE at the University of Cambridge where she specialised in Education and Music. Emma has taught a range of subjects at both Primary and Secondary level and been subject leader in Maths, English, Music & Humanities
The service is run online via web video and email communication. Support is available throughout the process, to answer those little queries that invariably crop up.
To enrol your son or daughter in this advisory service, please fill out this School Advice Service Form.