What kind of school do you want your child to go to?

I thought I’d ask the question on the day the GCSE results were issued; it seemed appropriate!

There seems to be an ever-increasing choice of type of school: High, secondary, grammar, private, independent and now the academies, with most schools specialising in a particular subject.

In Rochester it seems the choice is more open than anywhere. Thomas Aveling, a non selective co-education school, is a Foundation Technology College and training school, which is consistently oversubscribed with an excellent record, providing outstanding facilities and resources (and a famous former pupil, Kelly Brook!) It also boasts a Performing Arts Centre, recording studio and purpose built sports hall, proving it isn’t just technological advancement open to its pupils.

The new, non-selective co-ed Strood Academy is specialising in Business & Enterprise and Mathematics, however, being sponsored by the University of Creative Arts means that creativity will be at the heart of promoting excellence.

Hundred of Hoo would be the place for any students looking to dive into the world of Media and the Arts; their very own internet radio station and state of the art production and editing facilities for film, TV, radio and more, provide a superb environment in which to develop creative and performance skills.

We have a girls’ grammar school, Rochester Grammar, which is a designated High Performing Specialist School in music, maths and computing. They also offer the world class qualification, the International Baccalaureate.  Across the road is the Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School (the Maths) for boys, a similarly designated High Performing Specialist School in maths, computing and humanities. The school is a recipient of many different awards and received its second ‘Outstanding’ judgement from OFSTED in 2008.

Then finally, if money is no object or irrespective of cost your child’s education is top priority in your household, you also have the private and independent schools: Gads Hill, located on the site of Charles Dickens former home, only accepts entry at infant stage or Year 6 or Year 7. However, entry can be made in a later year, but only under special circumstances. They do also offer pre-school and post school supervision at extremely reasonable costs – knowing the pupils parents need to put a full day’s work in to pay the fees, that’s quite an incentive!

Rochester Independent College accepts day students from the age of 11 and boarders from age 16 – there are no uniforms and no bells, everyone is on first name terms and the average class size is just 8 pupils!  The only eligibility criteria, is a desire to work hard.

The Kings School is the second oldest school in the world, founded in 604AD, but boasts a cutting edge education for the 21st century. They take children from infants and you can check the fees for yourself on the website (sit down first). Having said that, they do include lunch!

When it comes to primary schools, some parents will be more concerned about location than league tables. In many villages in rural Rochester there’s likely to be only the one village school – is yours doing the best it can for your child? Will they be taking the Medway Test on 25th September, before deciding on which of the above schools to go to?

And with the state schools now offering facilities that may encourage your child’s natural talents, as well as pushing academic achievement, do you have a particular school in mind for your child – or will you leave it up to them? Are you violently opposed to grammars and independents or will you ensure your child goes to a top-performing school whatever the cost? Let us know what you think.