What Test Do I Take A Guide to the Testing Acronyms

What Test Do I Take A Guide to the Testing Acronyms The world of academia can be a confusing one especially for new students. Deciding which test is right for you is a hassle in itself, but determining what test is meant to be taken at what time, what test measures what subject, and so on, can be quite complex. To choose the test that is right for you, youll probably have to do a little extra reading. However, having a basic understanding of the types of tests and their names will at least start you down the right path. Here is a guide to the testing acronyms to help you decide which test you should take and when. ACT ACT stands for American College Test, and it is meant to establish whether a high school student is equipped to enter college-level courses. Usually taken in a students junior or senior year, the ACT is required for admission to many colleges. SAT and PSAT The SATis the Scholastic Achievement Test and serves a purpose similar to that of the ACT. It also measures college readiness and is taken during the junior or senior year. You may also hear the PSAT referenced. As you may imagine, the PSAT is meant to be taken before the SAT in 10th or 11th grade. AP AP is short for Advanced Placement and is used to identify classes for which there are aptitude tests available. If you take an AP class, youre eligible to (potentially) test out of a subject and avoid taking a particular course in college. These classes are more challenging than other high school courses and typically require more work. GRE The GRE is the Graduate Record Examination and is required for admission to many graduate schools. Like the SAT and ACT for high school, the GRE determines readiness for graduate school. GMAT The Graduate Management Admissions Test is basically a GRE for business school. Taken during your senior year of college or, if you take some time off, before entering business school, the GMAT evaluates preparedness. LSAT The Law School Admission Test is administered to students who wish to enter law school. It is offered at specific times during the year (fewer than most other tests) and evaluates reasoning instead of actual knowledge. Like all of these tests, the LSAT can be retaken if your score is lower than you had hoped. MCAT As you may have guessed, MCAT stands for Medical College Admissions Test and looks at whether or not a student is prepared to enter medical school. Like the LSAT, it requires reasoning skills, but also looks at overall knowledge. TOEFL The TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is a test used to determine a students ability to read, write, and interpret the English language. The test is given to many international students from non-English speaking nations before they can enter U.S. schools. Obviously, if you happen to fall within one or more of these categories, it is worth giving the test some additional research. Theres a wealth of information available for all of them, so did deeper into those that apply for you. Seek out guidance online from fellow students, tutors, and guidance counselors, and soon youll have the answer to the question, What test do I take?

Manchesters Best Geography Courses

Manchesters Best Geography Courses Getting to Grips with Geography: The Best Courses in Manchester, at Every Level ChaptersGeography Revision Courses in ManchesterTaking a Course in Geography at one of Manchester’s CollegesGeography at Manchester’s Supplementary SchoolsFinding a Private Geography Tutor in Manchester through SuperprofContinuing Professional Development in Geography at MMUSee what Geography has to Offer with the Manchester Geographical SocietyDegrees in Geography at Manchester’s UniversitiesConclusionAre you a student in Manchester with a passion for geography? Have you been looking for ages to find a geography course that is right for you? Are you a little sick of trawling through the internet to find information on GCSE modules, A Level topics, or degree programmes?Here, we’ve tried to make things a little easier, by bringing the best that Manchester has to offer in terms of geography education all into the same place. (You can see the same information for different cities in our series on geography education across the UK.) So, whether you are a GCSE student struggling i n meteorology, or an adult learner with a particular interest in geology, you’ll find the best options here to succeed.Manchester is a fantastic place to study geography, with a world-class university, lots of sixth-form colleges, and an array of alternative educational possibilities â€" for whichever level and age of learner you may be. So, have a look below, and let’s get learning! SerenaGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoelGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChloeGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MatthewGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidGeography Teacher 5.00 (10) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConnieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LaurieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGeography Revision Courses in ManchesterWe can all get a little stressed before our exams â€" not least in geography. And, if you have been studying for ages but you still can’t crack the analytical aspects of the discipline, you might be seeking some geographical assistance.Luckily enough, Manchester is a city with a whole load of opportunities for revising the diverse subjects that geography has to offer â€" from small classroom-sized seminars to large-scale group revision lectures and presentations.A Level Revision UKA Level Revision UK is an organisation that, as the name suggests, runs A Level revision sessions across the country, in all subjects you could possibly imagine. In Manchester, they are based in the Manchester Metropolitan University, and run courses there during the February half-term and the Easter break. The first is a two-day session, whilst the other, closer as it is to your exams, runs for four days.The courses this organisation offers are based around the syllabus from the Edexcel exam board, so if you study this, you will be familiar with the topics such as Globalisation, Coastal Environments, and Geopolitics. The teaching is of a high quality and, whilst there are no group size limits, personalised assistance is guaranteed for every child.Justin Craig EducationJustin Craig Education has run revision sessions for students up and down the UK for over thirty-five years, and they offer guidance with GCSEs and A Levels in small centres dotted around the country. The organisation conducts revision sessions during every school holiday throughout the academic year, and they even offer residential courses. They’ve honestly become something of an institution for revision â€" and they keep the class sizes down to keep the teaching quality high.In Manchester, Justin Craig take over St Bede’s College and Chetham’s School of Music for revision courses of all levels and subjects â€" and whichever exam board or elective module you are studying, you will find the guidance you need. Of course, they offer geography courses too. (And you can see more on them in our piece on geography opportunities in Leeds.)Revise your geography, and keep your exam period free from the storms of anxiety!Taking a Course in Geography at one of Manchester’s CollegesBefore you’ll require revision courses in Geography, it would probably be worth enrolling onto a Geography course first! In Manchester, if you do not want to continue at your school, the opportunities are plentiful for studying A Levels at a further education college.The Connell Sixth Form College and the Abbey College Manchester both offer the Edexcel A Level in Geography, and, depending on which is more convenient for you, one of these could be a great option. Whilst at both colleges you will study hydrology, the geographical and biological effects of climate change, migration, and the interrelationship between humans and our world more generally, at the Abbey College the emphasis is more on independent research into a nd fieldwork on a geographic subject of your choice.The Manchester College offers a wider range of qualifications in geography and the social sciences more generally. Whilst you can take A Levels in Sociology, Psychology, and Geography, you can also take Access to Higher Education Diplomas in Social Science. This award is perfect for older learners who do not yet have many qualifications, but who want to apply for admission to university in a related subject.Geography at Manchester’s Supplementary SchoolsManchester is a city known for its broad diversity and its multicultural heritage. As such, there are a whole load of options for people who speak English as a second language to supplement their mainstream education with classes in their first language. There is a wide range of cultural schools across the city that hold supplementary classes at the weekend or the evening, and extra courses in geography â€" as a fundamental subject in both the humanities and social sciences â€" ar e offered widely.To give some examples, the Libyan, the Bosnian, and the Ukrainian Supplementary Schools are all prepared to teach core school subjects, which are studied in the respective language of the school. The benefits of these classes is that they can introduce children to and aid them in the language of their community â€" whilst giving them knowledge of the breadth of geographical themes too.If you are interested, get in touch with your local community, and examine what opportunities are on offer! SerenaGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoelGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChloeGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MatthewGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidGeography Teacher 5.00 (10) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConnieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LaurieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover a ll our tutors SamGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsFinding a Private Geography Tutor in Manchester through SuperprofWhilst you can track down the right course, college, or revision session for you, you could also just visit Superprof and find, easily and quickly, a geography teacher that is perfect for you.Superprof connects pupils to tutors across the world, and right now it hosts tutors teaching over a thousand different subjects. Geography, of course, is one of them. And whilst you can connect to over two thousand geography tutors for online tuition, there are also twelve geographers in Manchester waiting to help you study â€" at an average rate of £15 an hour.We all know it can be a little frustrating if you attend a class but are secure on all the content you are covering. Superprof offers the opportunity for learning which is at precisely your level, your pace, and in your style. Check it out now: you’ll find graduate students and qualified geog raphy teachers ready to help you from the comfort of your own home.Continuing Professional Development in Geography at MMUContinuing Professional Development is a scheme to promote lifelong learning and professional growth. The Manchester Metropolitan University, or MMU, offers courses in this to anyone looking to develop their skills.CPD courses include the Environmental and Geographical Sciences, which are broken down here into Environmental Management and the Geography of Health. If you continue with these short courses, you can earn yourself enough credits to get a proper qualification at the end.See what Geography has to Offer with the Manchester Geographical SocietyIf London has the Royal Geographical Society, Manchester is the home of the Society for the north east. And if you have a passing interest in the subject, but don’t want to commit all of your time to it, the Manchester Geographical Society might be a great place to start.In aiming to promote geographical knowledge in general, and to promote geographical interest in north-east England in particular, the Society runs events and a lecture series to enable a public engagement in the subject. The lectures are free and open to all and feature major geographers, alumni, and professors in geography.If you are looking just to dip into the subject, the Society’s series is well worth your time.Attend a lecture at the Manchester Geographical Society.Degrees in Geography at Manchester’s UniversitiesIf, having gone through school, you have decided to pursue the life of the geographer, you will need to apply to a geographer degree at university. Each different university has different approaches and focuses, and these are things you will be encouraged to consult if you are considering progressing to an undergraduate degree in the subject.The University of ManchesterThe University of Manchester is ranked very highly in the UK for geography, and you will notice that the university offers two different ba chelor programmes in the subject. Depending on whether you are more interested in studying Human Geography and Cultural Geography or Physical Geography, you will have to choose between the BA or the BSc.If you are looking for a postgraduate geography degree, the University’s options are still strong, with Master’s programmes in Geographic Information Science, in Environmental Studies, and in Research Methods. A PhD or doctoral research project in Geography is also possible at this university.Manchester’s Other UniversitiesThe University of Salford and the Manchester Metropolitan University also offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in geography.Study geography at the University of Salford, based near the spectacular Salford QuaysConclusionAnd that's your lot! Find out more about geography in the UK by checking out pieces on learning geography in Glasgow and studying the subject in Birmingham!

How can I automate essay evaluation for free

How can I automate essay evaluation for free Many teachers would like to give better, more detailed feedback to students on their writing assignments but realize that there are not enough hours in the day to do so. With the arrival of artificial intelligence, faster feedback on essay writing tasks is now possible. The Virtual Writing Tutor offers six types of automated writing evaluation for free. For formative cover letter evaluation, see here. Automated IELTS Essay Evaluation Click here to evaluate an IELTS essay If you would like your students to practice describing a chart or graph or practice writing short academic opinion essays, there are a number of Task 1 and Task 2 automated IELTS essay evaluation tasks to choose from. These eight tests score academic essays on the 9-point scale used by the British Council to measure English proficiency and college readiness. Automated IELTS essay evaluations You can find the link to the tests on the navigation menu on Virtual Writing Tutor using the IELTS link. No login is required. Each test comes with a timer to help simulate the writing conditions of the official IELTS exam. If you would like to test the system with sample IELTS essays, there are a couple of texts you can use in an earlier blog post I wrote when I first launched the IELTS band score calculator. Automated Paragraph Evaluation Click here to evaluate body paragraphs Sometimes you will want students to write their body paragraphs before they write their introductions and conclusions. In this situation, you cannot use an essay checker. You need a body paragraph checker. Have students paste their body paragraphs into the paragraph checker. The system will generate feedback on the topic sentence, evidence, support, and grammar. If you prefer, you can have them test the system with these sample body paragraphs. Automated Opinion Essay Evaluation Click here to evaluate an opinion essay Once the students have their body-paragraphs ready, you will want them to add introductions and conclusions. At this point, they will be ready to submit their opinion essays for formative evaluation. Have them submit their writing to the opinion essay checker. There is a sample essay to explore the system with here. The system gives feedback on each paragraph based on its position in the essay. For example, it will check the last sentence of the first paragraph for a thesis sentence and the first sentence of the last paragraph for its reformulation. Body paragraphs are checked for topic sentences. Automated Argument Essay Evaluation Click here to evaluate an argument essay With intermediate-level students, you might want to ask them to express an opinion on a controversial topic and refute the usual counterargument. In that case, have students find the Tests dropdown menu on the navigation bar at the top of the page on VirtualWritingTutor.com, click on Actively Engaged in Persuasion (a college-level textbook by the same name is forthcoming). A button will take them to an argument essay evaluation that can provide feedback on argument essays about abortion, climate change, animal rights, body image, feminism, immigration, internet censorship, or a fast-food tax. The automated argument essay evaluation has detailed instructions and a sample essay that you can use to test the system. Automated argument essay evaluation Before students rush headlong into drafting an essay, it is worthwhile asking students to research arguments for and against before using the argument essay outliner on the Virtual Writing Tutor, which walks them step-by-step through the outlining process. With a detailed outline in hand, students will be then well-prepared to draft an essay. Argument Essay Outlining Tool In the introduction, students should write an attention grabber, some context explaining the controversy, and a thesis containing two topics. In the first two body paragraphs, students should write supporting arguments with transition words and citations. In the fourth paragraph, students will give a counterargument, a concession, and a refutation. In the conclusion, they should reformulate their thesis and make a recommendation and prediction. Automated Film Analysis Essay Evaluation Click here to evaluate a film-analysis essay The response has been good from students and their teacher Frank Bonkowski who collaborated with me on the development of this writing task. I can say with some confidence that advanced students will probably appreciate how well the Virtual Writing Tutor gives students feedback and a score on a film critique in just two seconds. I recommend asking students to write an essay on a film based on a book. Youll want to be sure that students can use literary analysis terms in their essays. Teachers in Quebec, Canada might like to order the textbook that goes with this writing task: Actively Engaged in Academic Writing. Automated film-analysis essay evaluation When they submit their essays, the Virtual Writing Tutor will generate feedback on four aspects of an essay: the structure, the vocabulary, the scholarship, and the grammar. It’s free and no login is required. Simply find the Tests link on the navigation bar and select Actively Engaged in Academic Writing. Again, you don’t need the textbook by the same name, but it helps. The instructions explain exactly what to do, and there is a sample essay on Blade Runner to demonstrate how the system works. The Virtual Writing Tutor will analyze the introduction for a question, some background information about the film, and calculate the strength of the thesis statement. Similarly, the system will check body paragraphs for topic sentences, cohesion words, and citations. In the conclusion, it will check that the thesis has been reformulated and not just repeated, and then checks for a recommendation and a prediction. Students must include a Works Cited section and eliminate any grammatical or punctuation errors to maximize their scores. Because the automated film-analysis essay evaluation is self-access, students can keep submitting their essays for feedback until they get the score they want. Self-scoring Pen Pal Project Click here to create an essay exchange Pen pal messages are not essays, but the pen pal system can be used as a social essay exchange. Instead of setting up an automated email message evaluation system to instantly evaluate students messages about their neighbourhood, exercise routine, and holidays, you can set up an essay writing pen pal exchange. The pen pal scoring system is much less sophisticated than the other essay evaluation systems listed above. It simply attributes points for writing the minimum number of words, for using topic-related vocabulary, for eliminating errors, and for commenting on other students essays. But as a project to give essay writing practice and for rewarding that effort before a final exam, it could be very useful. Automated pen pal exchange evaluation Please follow and like us:

How to Agree and Disagree in English - English Lesson via Skype

How to Agree and Disagree in English - English Lesson via Skype There are several ways you can agree and disagree in English.In every language we need to know how to express your opinion. Not being able to say what you mean is no fun.  Scroll down and watch a video lesson on Ways of Giving Your Opinion in English. How to Agree and Disagree in English Don't keep this to yourself. Tell the world! How to Agree In English If you agree with someone else you could say:Yes, I think so too.I agree with you.That’s a great idea.Fair enough!CorrectThats trueExactlyI feel/think the sameYou are absolutely right 22 Ways of agreeing with someone in English Don't keep this to yourself. Tell the world! How to Disagree in English However if you disagree, or have a different point of view, then you might say:No, I don’t agree with that.That’s not right.I see things differently.Im afraid, I cant agree with youThats a good point butI dont think soI doubt it Different ways to express an opinion in English If you want to express your opinion in English, you can start with:I thinkI supposeFrom my point of viewIt seems to me thatPersonally, I think thatIn my opinionI believe How to Give Your Opinion in English - Video Lesson In this video lesson you learn more phrases on how to express your opinion in English: Finding Things in Common in English I am a bit nervous.So am I.Oh, I am not.I cant speak French.Neither can I.Oh, I can.I have a cat.So have I.Oh, I havent. I have a dog.I dont go out much.Neither do I.Oh, I do.I had a great time.So did I.Oh, I didnt.I am vegetarian.So am I.Oh, I am not.I love travelling.So do I.Oh, I dont. Different Ways to Agree and Disagree in English - Infographic How to Agree and Disagree in English - Examples 1. Four friends are discussing who should do the housework.MARTINA:  I think men and women should share jobs around the house, such as cleaning.SARAH:  Yes, so do I.DAVE:  I agree with that.CLARE:  That’s a great idea.2.  Sam and his friends are talking about the cost of fuel.SAM:  I’d like to see the government raise taxes on petrol.JEFF:  No, that’s not a good idea.PETE:  I don’t agree with that at all.3.  Tina has been watching a TV programme about benefit cheats*.TINA:  I think people on benefits should be made to work for free.GRACE:  So do I. That’s a really good idea.PAT:  I think so too.ROBIN:  No, I don’t agree with that idea at all.*benefit fraud4.  Tom wants your vote in the next election. Here are some ideas from his speech. I believe speed limits on motorways should be increased to 80 miles an hour. I believe rubbish bins should be emptied every week, not every 2 weeks. In my opinion schools should provide all children with a healthy lunch every day.Its your turn now! Check if you can agree and disagree in English now. Have a go at agreeing or disagreeing with Tom on each of these topics?

How To Get Back On Track After Summer Break

How To Get Back On Track After Summer Break Image via thelivefitgirls.com The Most Important Meal Once you get your kitchen in order, its time to start consuming proper meals. Start by preparing nutritious breakfasts that will set you up for a successful day (and the desire to maintain your healthy eating for every subsequent meal). According to the Huffington Post, the reasons to eat breakfast abound: it could help you stay slim, it can improve concentration and performance, it could contribute to a healthier overall diet, and it helps to jump-start your metabolism in the morning. But what should you eat for breakfast? While classics such as a bowl full of sugary cereal or an egg sandwich might seem like the obvious choices, some of these picks can pack a ton of calories. Rather than eating a bowl of cereal opt for a jar of overnight oats with bananas and stevia sweetened chocolate chips, which you can consume hot or cold and prepare the night before for a hassle-free morning meal. If you prefer something savory, try mashing an avocado on sprouted bread and topping it with a poached egg, some low fat cheese, and red pepper flakes. Who says eating healthy has to be boring? Take a look at some of these super easy, healthy breakfast recipes and see for yourself! Image via pinterest.com Plan and Prep Try to plan your meals a few days in advance so that you know what you’re shopping for once you hit the grocery store without getting side tracked by all of the shiny junk food. Make sure to pick up/prepare healthy snacks that you can take on the fly or resort to in times of inter-meal hunger. You want to consume between 100-200 calories when snacking along with at least four grams of healthy fats, fiber, or protein. Some of my personal favorite snacks include apples with almond butter, nonfat plain Greek yogurt and berries, or cucumbers spritzed with liquid aminos and paprika. If I need a little pick-me-up in between classes, I love to reach for these No-Bake Energy balls that pack in a little guilt-free sweetness. Be sure to keep high-calorie food out of your kitchen to avoid any temptation (that means ice cream and chips are a NO!). Part of setting yourself up for success is also planning ahead for the days when you will not have time to prepare a full meal. In order to do this, you can dedicate one day biweekly to cook up a double batch of a healthy big meal and freeze it for later. Portion the meals into single servings or large containers that can easily be defrosted for those unexpected days of chaos. Incorporate Fitness Once you bounce back on the healthy eating grind, it’s time to get moving again. Although, finding time to exercise between school, work, and having a social life can be a challenge for even the most organized person. However, physical activity is a vital part of staying healthy during your college years. Physical activity will help you not only to lose weight, but also increase your chances of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in the future. Remember, an exercise program doesnt have to take hours you dont have. As little as 30 minutes a day, three days a week can start to improve your physical fitness. Catch Some Zzzz’s Even if you are on top of your diet and exercise, you won’t find success if you are unable to obtain adequate amounts of rest. College students are one of the most sleep-deprived populations. A study from Brown University has found that approximately 11 percent of students report good sleep, while 73 percent report sleep problems. Sleep deprivation in students has been linked to lower GPAs because sleep affects concentration, memory and the ability to learn.  In order to function to your full potential, adults need an average of 8-10 hours of sleep per night. The best way to begin a restful sleep routine is by waking up early and going to sleep before midnight. So if you don’t consider yourself a morning person it’s time to start changing your habits!

Coping with Back to School Anxiety

Coping with Back to School Anxiety It has been about a month since a new academic year started but many kids still might feel back to school anxiety. For some of them back to school means back to stress. They might feel anxiety over getting used to a new schedule, making new friends, fitting in with peers or being in a new school. Coping with so much pressure after fun carefree summer time might become a real challenge for anyone. So, what can you do to help your kid? Most of the kids can overcome back to school anxiety with the help of their parents. First of all try to talk openly with your kid about what’s worrying him, and how he might deal with it. Your kid needs an attentive and supportive listener more than a judgmental parent. Secondly, encourage your kid to study something new and exciting in order to distract him from troubling thoughts and fears. It could be astronomy or geography, creative writing or acting, dancing or painting. Pick whatever he would like. Also, you might try to motivate your kid explaining that school will help him to succeed in life and make his dreams come true. Coping with anxiety require time and practice. Your kid should sleep well, eat healthy food and do morning exercise. These simple rules can help him or her to cope better with stress and suppress anxiety. If it is not helping and you cannot figure out what might be done ask one of our life coaches how you can help your kid. Coping with Back to School Anxiety It has been about a month since a new academic year started but many kids still might feel back to school anxiety. For some of them back to school means back to stress. They might feel anxiety over getting used to a new schedule, making new friends, fitting in with peers or being in a new school. Coping with so much pressure after fun carefree summer time might become a real challenge for anyone. So, what can you do to help your kid? Most of the kids can overcome back to school anxiety with the help of their parents. First of all try to talk openly with your kid about what’s worrying him, and how he might deal with it. Your kid needs an attentive and supportive listener more than a judgmental parent. Secondly, encourage your kid to study something new and exciting in order to distract him from troubling thoughts and fears. It could be astronomy or geography, creative writing or acting, dancing or painting. Pick whatever he would like. Also, you might try to motivate your kid explaining that school will help him to succeed in life and make his dreams come true. Coping with anxiety require time and practice. Your kid should sleep well, eat healthy food and do morning exercise. These simple rules can help him or her to cope better with stress and suppress anxiety. If it is not helping and you cannot figure out what might be done ask one of our life coaches how you can help your kid.

Choosing a Primary School - Tutor Hunt Blog

Choosing a Primary School Deadline for choosing a primary school - how to make the right choice Deadline for choosing a primary school - how to make the right choicePrimary schoolsParents had until the 16th of January to select a primary school for their child. For many parents this date has been looming ominously for months - and they may well have spent much of the previous year researching the results and reputations of schools in their area. Such is the importance of finding the right place that many parents will have even selected their home based on the catchment area of the local schools. There has been a precipitous increase in pupil numbers over the last few years, which of course makes getting a place for your child in your chosen school even harder. The catchphrase `postcode lottery` has come to be associated with the mad rush to secure a primary school place, with parents sometimes having to accept whatever school in their area will accept them. Having a sibling already at a school certainly enhances your chances for getting another child in, but it is by no means a guarantee. Back in 2015 the School`s Minister Nick Gibbs said that he was going to initiate reforms that would ensure siblings are always able to attend the same school, saying: `I think it should be a requirement when, as long as you live within the catchment area and one of your children is at the school already, there should be a right for your next child to go to that school.` If schools are oversubscribed however, it is possible for admission authorities to use `siblings at the school` as an oversubscription criterion - though the school minister attempted to make a guarantee on this issue, you are not definitely guaranteed a place even if you already have one child at a certain school. While many secondly schools have well established reputations, many parents may find it difficult to discern the relative academic merits of primary schools. A helpful resource for parents struggling to choose the right primary school for their child are the league tables, published every December. These enable statistical comparisons to be clearly seen. There are some though who caution against the use of these league tables when choosing a primary school. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, has stressed that these tables are not the final word on how good a school is. `At face value, all the numbers tell you are how a relatively small group of pupils in a school performed in a set of narrow tests, focused on a small segment of the curriculum. `Tests and exams are only part of the picture.` Ultimately you want to choose a school that you believe your child will be happy attending. There can be no better way to get a feel for a school than visiting it yourself. All schools should have open days, where groups of prospective parents will be shown around - visiting the school`s website will inform you when these take place. ; The NAHT president and head of St John Fisher Catholic Primary school Anne Lyons expressed the importance of parents visiting schools in the process of choosing the right one: `Try and find out whether the school is creating the sort of learning environment that would suit your child - Get a feel for the school to see if it offers the environment for your child in terms of the quality of education and the relationships between children and staff.` However academically impressive a school seems on paper, it may not be the right place for your child to learn. Anne Lyons was keen to point out that a child must be comfortable at a school if they are to reach their full potential there: `Try and find out whether the school is creating the sort of learning environment that would suit your child - think about your child`s personality and the sort of school you want for them.` Parents will have to endure the long wait until the middle of April before they are told if their applications are successful. Tutor hunt has a useful database that lists important information for almost every school in the United Kingdom - information that will be helpful to parents when choosing a school for their child. The latest Ofsted results, along with empirical data collated from various other sources, are clearly presented for each school in our School`s section. 2 years ago0Add a Comment