Independent Schools Show 2009
- Article 4 of 5
- Action Network, October 2009
A child’s education is a huge responsibility for any parent. With more and more parents concerned about the quality of education in the state sector – or at least in the state sector in their area – independent schools are increasingly being considered as the best way for children to get the start in life they need.
Finding the right school can be difficult. That makes the Independent School Show, to be held in Battersea Park, London, between the 30th and 31st of October, a valuable opportunity.
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Even with full-time boarding, many schools are situated around the SE and London so that parents can visit frequently. Schools further afield will often advertise themselves as ‘only a two hour train ride away’.
While Moriarty won’t express preferences about particular schools, she will offer visitors information on whether schools have particular facilities that suit those parents’ needs. “All schools are my members,” says Moriarty, “but if I think I have an answer because I visited one recently, I’ll let parents know.” Certain schools are well known for having particular expertise, for example, with Reed’s School in Surrey having a tennis academy and St Felix School getting ready to field four swimmers in the 2012 Olympics.
She also points out that the show offers a chance for parents to ask about bursaries and scholarships, which, in this cash-strapped time, should help almost any parent with the biggest obstacle associated with private education: the fees. “Schools try to be helpful, so it’s always worth talking to them,” she advises. “I spoke to one school recently and they said, ‘We have bursaries available but no one applied.’” As well as information, there are opportunities to save considerable money at the Schools Show, it seems.
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