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At Ashville College, we are preparing for one of our biggest public events of the year – our Full College Open Day on Saturday 26 March 2022 – an exciting opportunity for us to show off our offering across the curriculum, facilities, co-curricular options, and pastoral care.
The open event circuit, and associated admin, can add up to a very busy time for parents, so here are five of our top tips for making the most of these opportunities and gleaning what life is really like at that school, even if the event is held out of normal school hours.
While open events should run like a well-oiled machine, one thing the school can’t script is how staff get on with each other. The environment they create has a big impact on first impressions. You should see staff, from the teachers to catering and cleaning staff, working closely and comfortably together, whether it’s in the practical aspects of running the event or general interaction. This will tell you a lot about the working atmosphere on a day-to-day basis in the school – a close-knit, friendly team is not something that can be faked.
Many schools offer pupil-led tours, and while the pupils will be versed on the tour route and what to show you, they won’t – or at least, shouldn’t be – scripted. Feel free to ask your tour guide questions about life at the School and what they like most. Children and young people are very good at giving honest answers, untainted by grown-up considerations, sensitivities or bias.
Schools will naturally put on their best spreads for events like this, whether it’s tea and cakes or a full buffet, but still, what is offered to you on the day should give you an idea of the standard of the catering staff, presentation and hygiene. And besides, experiencing the school food at its best is no bad thing.
It can be easy, particularly at well-attended events, to not want to bother teachers or support staff who are busy running the event, but if an opportunity comes up to talk to staff, do take it. They are there to ‘sell’ the school, after all, and so should be happy to speak to you. Particularly if you’re new to the school, speaking to a member of the team, whether it’s to ask a burning question or simply shoot the breeze over a cup of tea, can be a great way to break the ice and make future follow-up that bit easier. How they respond to you in that moment can also make a lasting impression, regardless of their role at the school.
If your child is joining you at the Open Day, encourage them to speak to any current pupils who are there, ask one of the teachers a question, or take part in an interactive session run by subject departments – at our school these have ranged from Modern Foreign Languages sessions and basketball games, to practical cookery and Design and Technology sessions. Open events are a key research tool for you as parents but they’re also an opportunity for your child to get a feel for their future school, and not feel as if they’re merely ‘tagging along’.
We hope these tips are helpful. Good luck on the school hunt! If you’re interested in attending Ashville’s Open Day, visit our website to book your place.
