10 Questions to Ask on Your Next School Open Day

Open days and campus tours are the best way to truly experience what a potential school can offer to your child.

These events give you a real sense of how a school operates, how pupils learn and what values shape the student community. Knowing the right questions to ask helps you gain insight into whether the school truly fits your child’s needs and goals.

It’s a good idea to broach topics including teaching styles, pupil support, wellbeing, student life and extracurricular activities. Each question you ask helps you make a confident, informed decision about your child’s education.

1. What is the school’s educational philosophy and approach?

You should ask about the school’s educational philosophy to understand how it shapes teaching and learning. Each school follows its own guiding principles that reflect its values, priorities and view of education. Some schools focus on academic excellence, while others value creativity, social development or practical learning.

A clear philosophy guides how teachers plan lessons, assess progress and support students. For instance, a school guided by student-centred learning may encourage collaboration and problem-solving. In contrast, a more traditional approach may emphasise structured lessons and individual performance.

You might also ask how the school’s philosophy shapes its curriculum and classroom expectations. The impact of school philosophy on curriculum engagement can reveal how learning goals and methods align with daily teaching. Ask teachers for examples of how this philosophy appears in lessons or school activities to see it in action.

At Heathfield Knoll, our education philosophy focuses on the happiness and wellbeing of our pupils. We know that happy and content pupils learn better, so we focus on creating a supportive environment that makes our pupils feel comfortable and creates resilience. This allows our students to focus on their learning.

2. How does the school support pupils with additional learning needs?

If your child has additional learning needs or is divergent, you’ll need to know how the school supports pupils who need extra help. Many schools begin by discussing your child’s progress with the class teacher or the Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCo).

Find out what kind of individual plans or records the school uses. Schools should work with external professionals to create an individual development plan that outlines specific goals and support strategies. Ask how this plan is reviewed and how you can contribute to it.

You can also ask what in-class adjustments and teaching approaches teachers use. Good schools provide inclusive lessons that balance support and challenge so every pupil can participate in learning tasks that suit their needs.

At Heathfield Knoll, we welcome children of all abilities, and we have dedicated SEND support to ensure that our neurodivergent pupils and those with additional learning needs have equal opportunities. This includes our Connect Centre, a purpose-built facility for SEND pupils that contains sensory-friendly learning environments, without restricting their access to the school’s main facilities.

3. What extracurricular activities are available and how popular are they?

When you attend a school open day, ask what extracurricular activities students can join. Independent schools like Heathfield Knoll offer a mix of sports clubs, arts, music and other activities that encourage teamwork and creativity.

Popular choices often include football, performing arts, debate clubs and volunteering. Many families find that these options support both academic progress and personal development. It’s a good idea to check out sports facilities and the provision available for these subjects to make sure it’s fit for purpose.

Heathfield Knoll’s rich extracurricular programme includes clubs and societies to suit all interests, from drama and jujitsu to archery and RotaKids, our partnership that allows pupils to get involved in community group projects they’re passionate about.

Finally, check whether activities are free or if extra costs apply – most extracurricular activities at Heathfield Knoll, for example, are free. However, costs may be involved when external professionals are involved. Understanding these details helps you assess how well the school aligns with your child’s interests and schedule.

4. How does the school ensure pupil wellbeing and mental health support?

It’s a good idea to ask how the school promotes a safe and supportive environment where pupils feel valued. Many schools follow a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing that includes training staff, creating clear policies and involving pupils in wellbeing initiatives. This approach helps identify issues early and ensures consistent care across all school areas.

Some schools, like Heathfield Knoll, have dedicated pastoral care teams that can support pupils in times of need. These student support services comprise tutors, teachers and pastoral leads at Heathfield Knoll, meaning students always have someone to turn to. All teaching staff are trained in student mental health and wellbeing to ensure they can spot any issues or students that may be struggling.

You should also ask about how families are involved. When schools and families work together, pupils often receive more effective support. Open communication between home and school helps you both meet pupils’ emotional needs.

5. What are the teacher-to-pupil ratios in different year groups?

When visiting a school open day, it helps to ask about the teacher-to-pupil ratio. This figure shows how many pupils there are for every teacher. A lower ratio often means more individual attention and support in class.

Independent schools tend to have lower teacher-to-pupil ratios, which allows teachers to understand pupils’ individual learning styles and offer tailored support and guidance.

You can also ask how the ratio varies between year groups or classes. Some schools may use teaching assistants, which can change the level of support pupils receive. It’s useful to find out whether these figures reflect classroom staffing or include wider school roles.

6. What assessment and feedback methods does the school use?

Monitoring your child’s progress helps you understand how they’re continually improving at school. Understanding the school’s assessment approach helps you see whether it values consistent improvement or simply end-of-term results. Many schools use a mix of formative and summative assessments to balance day-to-day learning with final evaluations.

Find out what kind of assessment methods are in place. Teachers may use written work, projects or practical activities to monitor students’ progress. You can ask whether these methods are adapted to different subjects and learning styles.

It also helps to know how feedback is shared. Good practice involves regular feedback throughout the school year. Ask if pupils have opportunities to apply feedback and whether parents are kept informed about progress.

7. Where do pupils typically go after leaving the school?

You should ask where pupils go when they leave, as this reveals how well the school prepares its students for future steps. If you’re visiting an all-through school like Heathfield Knoll, pupils may continue to further education, while others might move into apprenticeships or employment. This question helps you see how the school supports pupils with different goals.

Asking this allows you to gauge academic outcomes and university guidance quality. You may also want to learn what support pupils receive when planning their next steps into further and higher education. Schools with strong career guidance usually help pupils build confidence and make informed decisions. Pupils should have career support for this transition, regardless of their chosen path.

Finally, ask if the school tracks alumni progress. Schools that maintain these links often use feedback to strengthen their academic and personal development programmes.

8. What is the school’s approach to discipline and behaviour management?

It’s important to understand how your potential school creates a positive atmosphere where pupils behave respectfully and feel safe. Schools should have a clear and consistent behaviour policy that outlines rules, rewards and consequences.

You want to opt for a school that promotes good behaviour through routines, rewards and support rather than relying on punishment. Heathfield Knoll takes this approach through our behaviour, discipline, exclusions and rewards policy, modelling and rewarding good behaviour instead of focusing on a punishment-led approach.

You might also ask how staff respond to more serious issues and whether restorative approaches are used to repair relationships during your open day. It’s useful to know how the school supports pupils with additional behavioural needs and how parents are involved in the process.

Visiting the school can give you a sense of how well these policies work in practice. A clear, fair approach is often evident in how calmly pupils and staff interact.

9. How does the school encourage parental involvement?

Ask how the school builds and maintains strong partnerships with families during your open day visit. A school with an open communication culture often achieves better pupil outcomes and improved wellbeing. When parents are actively engaged, attendance and behaviour tend to improve.

At Heathfield Knoll, we use our online journal, Tapestry, to keep parents informed on their child’s progress. This is complemented by regular email communications, parent-teacher meetings and our online parent portal.

You may also want to ask how staff encourage two-way communication. Schools that share clear strategies usually create a supportive environment. Our Head of Wellbeing is always available to parents who want to discuss their child’s welfare in more detail.

10. What opportunities are there for leadership and personal development?

The sign of a good school is that it values both academics and personal development. On your open day, how your prospective school helps students build leadership skills and confidence. Many schools offer roles such as prefects, house captains or mentors that give students real responsibility and a chance to practise decision-making.

You can also look into programmes that encourage goal-setting and reflection. Schools that promote leadership development often guide students to understand their strengths and areas for growth. Ask how teachers support pupils in developing teamwork, problem-solving, and communication abilities.

At Heathfield Knoll, we support the holistic development of our pupils both through our curriculum and wider activities. Participation in sports teams and performing arts allows pupils to practice interpersonal skills including communication, teamwork and leadership, while our partnership with RotaKids allows them to lead on community projects.

Finally, consider how the school measures personal development. Do staff provide feedback or reflection sessions? Understanding this will help you judge whether the environment builds both leadership and self-awareness.