Choosing a private school is one of the biggest decisions a family makes — and the "best" school on a league table isn't always the best school for your child. This guide walks through how to weigh the factors that actually matter.
Start with your child, not the rankings
A school that suits a confident, exam-focused child may not suit a creative or late-developing one. Before comparing schools, write down what your child needs: pace of teaching, pastoral support, co-curricular strengths, and the kind of environment where they thrive.
The factors that matter most
- Academic results and value-added — look beyond headline pass rates to how much progress pupils make.
- Fees and financial support — factor in extras, and ask every school about bursaries and scholarships.
- Pastoral care — how the school supports wellbeing, friendships and the transition in.
- Location and the daily commute — a long journey affects sleep, clubs and family life.
- Ethos and feel — visit on a normal school day; trust the atmosphere.
Use the data, then visit
Shortlist using results, fees and inspection ratings, then visit your top three. You can compare schools side by side and filter by location, fees and gender on SchoolFinder's explore tool, or browse by area — for example private schools in Surrey or schools in Birmingham.
Questions to ask on an open day
- What support is there for children who find a subject difficult?
- How do you communicate with parents, and how often?
- Where do your leavers go next?
- What does a typical week look like beyond lessons?
Next steps
Once you have a shortlist, read each school's full profile for fees, results and admissions, and check the key dates for registration. Our stage-by-stage guides cover the admissions timeline in detail.