Are you considering moving overseas? Finding the perfect international school for your child is a big commitment, so you want to ensure you find one that they can be happy in and that suits your educational requirements.
Here are our top tips to help you find the ideal school for your child.
- Do your research
Research is paramount. Thoroughly review the school’s website. Respectable international schools in Thailand or wherever you may have moved tend to vary in ethos, teaching and learning approaches, examinations, curricula, CPD, staff support, teacher and student demographics, location, size, and so much more. It’s important to match the school with your preferences and needs.
- Find out about accreditations
Most good international schools are accredited by one of a couple accreditation bodies. If a school is accredited, it should say so on the website’s homepage.
- Is the school a member of any international associations?
There are a number of international school associations, and regional ones, too. Most of these bodies have stringent standards for membership and some even have their own accreditation.
If your desired school is a member of an association, it will feature the logo on the website, usually on the homepage. Do be wary of schools that claim to be applying for membership, especially if the application has been going on for more than 12 months.
If you have any doubts, contact the association to verify a school’s membership.
- Find out if the school has had an inspection
Typically, international schools have been inspected by their local authority. But, there are some schools that choose to go through a rigorous internationally-recognised process to ensure their standards are maintained and understood. Mostly, the inspections are carried out by independent inspection bodies.
- Arrange to talk to teachers at the school
It is relatively easy to find teachers working at the school, either by phoning up or on social media. Each teacher will view the school through their own eyes, so you can get a variety of feedback and consensus from several past and present employees. The school may even offer to put you in touch with teachers, so you can sit down and find out more about your child’s potentially new international school.
- Do reputable recruitment agencies recommend your potential school?
Any reputable recruitment agency will be able to provide unbiased feedback and guide you towards the right sort of school for your child’s needs. Reputable agencies only work with internationals schools that they have already visited and vetted. The process usually includes talking to past teachers and staff and developing a relationship with the school leadership, as well as assessing facilities and resources and carrying out tours of the school.
Changing schools, along with countries, is a huge step for anyone. You want to ensure your child lands at a reputable school where their educational needs are met, and they are able to easily integrate both into the community and the classroom environment. Follow these 6 tips to find the right school for your child.