What is an OPEN DAY?
A day when members of the public can visit a place or institution to which they do not usually have access.
Why go to a School OpenDay?
Making a decision about which school to send your child to or attend is not an easy one and should not be taken lightly. Generally it’s a good idea to do plenty of research before you decide on which institution will suit you or your child best. Visit the website or
Facebook page, read the blog, ask people around you. The most effective way to do this is in person at an Open or Taster Day.
Why? Let’s take a look at the main advantages.
PROGRAMMES
You may already know which programme you want and an open day can give you the opportunity to speak to the teachers and gain more information on what the programme offers. If you are undecided which route to take (Foundation or A Level for example), you can gain a better understanding on which is best suited to you or your child and what will be achieved at the end of it. Ask about the structure of the programme – what are the compulsory components? Do they offer the units that will get you into the university you want?
Facilities
Attending a school is not just about choosing the right programme to suit you or your child, it is also important to find out about the facilities on offer.
These include the library, the communal facilities and the student residences. The Open Day is the ideal way to explore a range of schools and what they have to offer, so you know they are catering for you or your child before you sign up. The staff or the students at the School will be more than happy to show you around the facilities at the open day so you can ask as many questions as you wish.
Local Area
If you are intending on relocating to attend the school you are considering, take the time to find out more about the local area. The Open Day is the perfect way to do this, and if you have any concerns, raise them with staff. They have to experience the traffic every day, for example, so they are best placed to answer any questions!
Chat to current students
Find out what it’s like to study at a particular school straight from the horses mouth! By talking to students currently studying there, you can get an accurate, firsthand account of school life. See if you can find anyone who’s taking the same programme you’re applying for and ask for their honest opinion about it.
Costs and funding opportunities
Although you probably already know how much the fees will cost, this is a chance to find out if there are any other costs associated with the course, such as field trips, workshops or expos. Ask if there are any scholarships, bursaries or other funding opportunities you can apply for to help ease the financial burden.
Meet Other People
Attending a new institution for the first time can be extremely daunting, especially if you don’t know anyone. An Open Day gives you or your child the chance to meet students and teachers at the institution so your child will have a friendly face when they start for the first time. You will also get the opportunity to meet people who are in the same boat as you, so you might even make some new friends.
Vibes
If you’re happy with the programme, and the students and staff seem friendly, ask yourself: can you/your child settle here for the next year or two? Do you/they like the place? Is it somewhere they could settle into and enjoy? What appeals to you about the environment?
Only you can decide whether the school is the right fit for you, or your child. If you like what you see and feel comfortable, then it’s probably going to be a good place for you to attend. If you leave the Open Day with doubts or are not 100% certain about the place, then probably best to check in at some other schools Open Days and find out what else is on offer. While you may end up going to half a dozen or more Open Days, it’s better to spend time shopping around than end up somewhere you don’t like. Go with your instincts, and hopefully you’ll end up choosing the right institution.
So take advantage of our Open Day on Saturday 17th Jan from 11am. We look forward to welcoming you
