Choose the Right School Guide

I need to choose the right school for my child and I'm overwhelmed by the options and the stakes.

Child's age and transition coming up: [e.g. starting reception / moving to secondary]
Options I'm considering: [state / grammar / independent / alternative / home education]
My biggest concern: [academic outcomes / happiness / values fit / cost / location]
My child's personality and needs: [DESCRIBE briefly]
What I already know or have visited: [OR 'just starting the process']

Help me make this decision:
1. **The factors that actually predict good outcomes** — vs the ones that parents overweight
2. **What to look for on a school visit** that doesn't show up in Ofsted reports
3. **How to read school data** — what the numbers mean and where they mislead
4. **Matching my child's specific needs** to what each type of school does best
5. **The questions to ask the headteacher** that reveal the school's real culture
6. **What to do if I get it wrong** — schools can be changed, here's how to handle it

I need to choose the right school for my child and I'm overwhelmed by the options and the stakes.

Child's age and transition coming up: [e.g. starting reception / moving to secondary]
Options I'm considering: [state / grammar / independent / alternative / home education]
My biggest concern: [academic outcomes / happiness / values fit / cost / location]
My child's personality and needs: [DESCRIBE briefly]
What I already know or have visited: [OR 'just starting the process']

Help me make this decision:
1. **The factors that actually predict good outcomes** — vs the ones that parents overweight
2. **What to look for on a school visit** that doesn't show up in Ofsted reports
3. **How to read school data** — what the numbers mean and where they mislead
4. **Matching my child's specific needs** to what each type of school does best
5. **The questions to ask the headteacher** that reveal the school's real culture
6. **What to do if I get it wrong** — schools can be changed, here's how to handle it