12 questions to ask during a school tour

A school tour is one of the few moments where families can test whether the reality matches the polished prospectus. Use the time well.

Ask to see classrooms during lessons, not just curated spaces. Ask how the school communicates concerns to parents. Ask what support exists when a child is struggling socially or academically.

Good tour questions

• How does onboarding work for students joining mid-year?
• What does the school do when a child falls behind?
• How much homework is typical at this stage?
• How often do teachers change year to year?
• Which extracurricular activities have strong participation?

Families usually learn most from the unscripted moments: corridor interactions, how staff greet pupils, and whether students seem comfortable asking questions.