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NEW SCHOOL RULES

IT'S one of the most important choices a parent can make — which school will be best for their child?

Unfortunately, of course, parents are not the only ones involved in the choice that could have such a monumental impact on their child's life. The school and/or the local education authority makes the final decision, and all too often it’s not the one parents were hoping for.

But in many cases they could have got the school of their choice – if they’d just played the system right.

So says the author of a new book that aims to help parents and children get what they want and need from the education system — from winning a place at the best school, to helping children settle in, get the most from their teachers, and even deal with bullying.

The book, The New School Rules, tackles the most fundamental problem first: how to get your child into the best school.

Author and English teacher Francis Gilbert says: "It can be very difficult for parents, particularly if they live in areas where the schools are oversubscribed.

"I’ve spoken to a lot of parents who’ve moved so they can get their child into a good school, and many who’ve started going to church even though they’re atheist, just so they can get their child in a church school. It’s absurd."

Gilbert stresses that often a parent’s problem with school admissions stems from the fact that they simply haven’t filled the forms in properly, or mentioned special educational needs.

"A special need could be that a child isn’t very good at reading, for example, yet some parents don’t think to mention that because they’re a bit embarrassed about it.

"And another special need that parents would be wise to mention is if their child is brighter than other children of their age.

"Mentioning these things will help kids meet the criteria for the school they want."

But getting your child into a good school is only the first rung of the education ladder, and Gilbert’s book goes on to tackle issues including how to get the best out of the teachers, helping children with exams, and even how to avoid cyber-bullying.

"Research has shown that parents don’t know what to expect from a school, and they feel lost when they send their child there," Gilbert says.

In the book there’s a checklist of questions parents should be asking, from what the toilet arrangements are, to getting a map of the school.

And then there’s advice on what to do about various problems, such as when a child doesn’t settle in at school, or doesn’t like a teacher.

Gilbert warns that the education system is a potential minefield that parents need guiding through, although he does stress: "If you motivate your child, it doesn’t matter what school they go to."

The New School Rules, by Francis Gilbert, is published by Portrait Books, priced £10.99.