School Placement

Choosing the Right School (<16 years)

ECA’s experienced education consultants understand how confusing and time-consuming it can be to choose the right school for a child entering at age 7, 11, 13 or 16.

Every child is different. Finding the right school can be particularly challenging when you are considering more than one child. Prospectuses, websites and advice from friends can provide useful information, but they can also make the choice feel overwhelming.

Our team has years of experience supporting parents, helping them identify suitable schools and providing guidance throughout the application process.

We share our knowledge of British education, our experience and an objective perspective so that parents can make informed decisions. Our one-to-one education consultancy offers advice tailored to your family’s needs.

Preparing for Secondary School Entry at 11 or 13

Choosing a secondary school can feel daunting. The UK offers a wide range of independent schools, but each child and family has different needs. The challenge is finding the school that is right for yours.

Our friendly, professional consultants help parents make sense of their options. By considering both the child and the school, we provide objective advice and can help you to:

  • Define a school search area that suits your family.
  • Consider both parents’ views while keeping an open mind.
  • Review your child’s academic performance, achievements and individual needs to find a suitable match.
  • Prepare a list of suitable schools, considering budget, results, day or boarding options, single-sex or co-educational settings, strengths, interests, additional support and transport. School website links are provided for your review.
  • Shortlist schools to visit and arrange appointments.
  • Prepare questions to ask during school visits.
  • Understand the headteacher’s approach, the school’s ethos and teacher–student relationships, and assess how well the curriculum fits your child’s interests, strengths and future ambitions.
  • Attend school visits with you, particularly where language support would be helpful.
  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each school after your visits and identify any you would like to visit again.
  • Navigate registration, applications and interview preparation.