Questions to Ask on a School Visit

Prepare before you go

A school visit moves quickly, so arrive with a written list of questions rather than trying to remember them on the spot. Where possible, ask to see a normal working day rather than a specially arranged showcase, because the everyday rhythm is what your child will live inside.

Bring your child if the school allows it. The way they react to a classroom, a dormitory and a few other students often tells you more than a brochure ever will.

Academics and teaching

Ask how class sizes are decided, how student progress is tracked through the year, and what happens when a child is falling behind or racing ahead. Good schools have a clear answer for both ends of the range, not just for the average student.

It is also fair to ask how teachers are supported and trained, and how often the school reviews its own results and adjusts its approach.

Boarding and pastoral care

For a boarding school, the residential side deserves as much attention as the classrooms. Ask how boarding houses are organised, who is on duty overnight, how medical care works, and how the school stays in touch with parents. Ask specifically how it handles homesickness and the first few difficult weeks.

Clarify the rules around phones, internet use and weekend leave, and ask how those rules are explained to students rather than simply enforced.

Staff culture and behaviour

Ask how long senior staff have been at the school and how it handles bullying, conflict and discipline. A confident school will describe a clear, written process; a vague answer is worth noting.

Watch how students behave when the guide stops talking. Do they look relaxed and well-supervised, or tense and overly silent? Listen to how staff address children and how children address staff.

Facilities and daily practicalities

Look at the things students use every day: dormitories, washrooms, the dining hall, drinking water, sports and study spaces. Ask about the food menu, laundry, transport for weekends and the routine on a full boarding week.

Safety matters as much as comfort. Ask about campus security, visitor protocols and emergency procedures, and see whether the answers match what you can observe.

Trust what you observed

At the end of the visit, trust your own eyes. If the tour felt warm, organised and honest, and your child seemed at ease, that is meaningful evidence. If something felt off but you cannot quite name it, write it down and compare it with your next visit before moving on.