One of the most important responsibilities as a parent is choosing the right school for your child, as you’ll want them to receive the best education that will set them up for future success. It’s a very difficult decision that takes a lot of consideration. The difficulty only increases if you’ve recently moved abroad as a family and need to explore education options in an entirely new country, especially if you’re far from home.
It’s important to remember that each child is different and might require special considerations, so you should look at a variety of options before making a final decision. It also needs to suit your family too, especially if your child is at a young age, as you don’t want to select a school that involves too much daily travel.
This guide will delve into how you can successfully choose the right overseas school for your child by narrowing down your search criteria. Continue reading this guide to find out more.
Choosing Schools Abroad
Future Thinking
Thinking towards the future is crucial when choosing an overseas school for your child. For example, how long you’re planning to live in the new country will matter significantly to the choice. If you are aiming to eventually return to your home country, it’ll be more beneficial to choose a school that runs a curriculum that ties in with your country’s system. If you are moving permanently, a local school may be the best option for you and your child. This will help you integrate better with the local area and give your child a chance to make friends who are close to where you live.
Research
There are several ways that you can research schools effectively to see what will be the best solution for your child. Searching the reviews of different schools can help you see the ones recommended by other parents, giving you a clearer indication of which to choose. There are school finders out there that are specifically designed to help parents find the perfect school for their children. The most comprehensive UK school guide has over 24,000 primary schools on its database, along with testimonials for each of them. Some schools require British Citizenship to attend, which can be checked online.
Age Considerations
Compared to older children who have already adapted to a certain school system, younger children are more flexible and adaptive. While some kids adjust to switching between the various curricula quite well, others don’t, so you need to see where your child fits in this discussion. The curriculum isn’t always the priority for very young children, as this will be their first experience with school life. Whereas, older children might have big exams coming up, and a change of school could hinder their results if not chosen appropriately.
Lifestyle
Does the school schedule lend itself to your career? How far away from home is the school? How will the school run work? All of these need to be considered when choosing a school for your child, as you don’t want it to hinder the rest of your family’s lives. Each country will have different sets of rules and regulations when it comes to start and finish times, so you need to ensure that they align with your lifestyle for it to work effectively.
Child Preferences
Respecting a child’s preferences when choosing their school is crucial for their wellbeing, engagement and overall success. While parental responsibility ultimately lies with the adults, involving children in the decision-making process empowers them and helps them feel a sense of ownership over their educational journey. If your child has a specific thing that they want to focus on with their studies and a fixed goal of their career aspirations, you should choose a school that fits with this. For example, if your child is heavily interested in music, it’s recommended to choose a music school to enhance their learning.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, selecting the right school for your child when living abroad demands careful thought and an individualised approach. Take the time to think towards the future, conduct thorough research and consider your child’s age and adaptability. You should also respect your child’s preferences to give them the best chance at future success. Remember, the goal isn’t just to find a school, but to discover the perfect environment where your child can thrive, integrate and build a strong foundation for their future success, wherever their journey takes them.