Record numbers of parents from all areas of society are choosing to send their children to independent schools (also known as private schools). Picking the right one from about 2,300 in the UK is a very subjective exercise. It is easy to be swayed by a school’s reputation, the famous people who once sat in its classrooms, or its success in the league tables. The best rule of thumb is to select the school most suited to your son or daughter. After all, the private sector’s ethos is to do best by each child.

With a few exceptions, private institutions provide an education that helps pupils realise their academic potential. Evidence from the Department for Education and Employment (www.dfes.gov.uk) suggests that students at all levels of ability do better at independent schools than at their state equivalents. There are several advantages:

• More formal teaching
• Greater emphasis on homework
• Dedication to keeping class sizes small
• Better facilities
• Broader range of extracurricular activities
• More opportunities for languages and sport

There are disadvantages, too:

• Teachers require no formal qualifications
• The school may be further from home, meaning hours in the car each week, as school transport is not always available.
• Special needs provisions may be limited

In addition the school days and holidays are usually longer – a bonus plus for some but a definite minus for others.

Then there are waiting lists. It’s true that for a handful of the most popular and prestigious private schools you have to get your child’s name down at birth. But whether this is the case or not, it’s never too early to start looking for a school. The process of finding the ideal one can be lengthy.

To narrow down the choice, consider what will most best suit your child: single sex or co-ed? Boardinger or day pupil? Is distance from home an issue? How big? Once you have answered these questions, you will be able to start contacting potential schools by phone or e-mail. The Independent School’s Council’s website (www.iscis.uk.net) will help you locate appropriate institutions.

Word of mouth is useful, but one parent’s idea of a good school might not be the same as yours. Many guide books are compiled with entries supplied by the institutions themselves, so treat them as selling tools.

Ask to be sent prospectuses (which are often just glorified marketing pamphlets). Then arrange to pay visits. This is by far the best way of judging a school. Take note of a variety of factors:

• Pupils: How do they look and behave? Try to speak to them about the school.
• The head teacher: Does he or she show an interest in your child? How well does he or she answer your questions? How does he or she interact with the pupils?
• The staff: How well qualified are they? Do they seem enthusiastic and interested in their pupils?
• Care: Do the arrangements for looking after your child's personal needs satisfy you?
• Discipline: Is discipline stricter or more relaxed than you would expect?