As a parent, you might be wondering – why should you rearrange your schedule to attend an Open Day? Surely it’s just the same as a normal school tour? Well, we think there are a lot of benefits to be had by attending an Open Day. Here are the top 3 reasons why we think going to a school’s Open Day is a great idea!
ADVANTAGE #1: See Teaching & Learning in Action
Some schools conveniently run their Open Days on weekends or after school. These ‘Open Days’ usually involve presentations from school leaders and students about school life, and a chance to explore the school’s facilities – much like a normal school tour. Other schools prefer to run their Open Days during school hours. At these Open Days, you get a ‘behind the scenes’ look into school life. You will get the chance to step into classrooms for a first-hand glimpse into the school’s learning culture. Watch closely to observe the rapport between the members of their class, and listen to how students and teachers talk about their learning and progress.
You will also have the chance to see all areas of the school in action, with students and teachers learning together inside classrooms, getting stuck into PE lessons on the pitch, and making the most of specialist spaces like music rooms and science labs. You’ll be able to walk the corridors alongside the students, see the school cafeteria ‘in action’ and be part of the everyday hustle and bustle of school life. It might be noisy – but it’ll be real!
Most importantly, by seeing the school on a typical school day, you will be able to get a strong sense of the school’s culture. Most parents and their children will instantly sense whether the school is the ‘right fit’ for them – and this is crucial. As Ms Moira Hall, Head of Inclusion at Garden International School explains: “On our Open Day, we want visiting families to see what GIS is really like, and to truly feel part of our school for that morning. There are no rehearsals or staged lessons, just everyday GIS life at its noisiest, busiest and happiest.”
ADVANTAGE #2: Meet Teachers, Students & Parents
During an Open Day, you will get the invaluable opportunity to chat to teachers, current students and parents at length. You can learn first-hand about the school’s curriculum, assessment, daily routines and learning culture. What extra-curricular opportunities are on offer? Is there a bus to where we live? What’s the cafeteria food like? Any questions you’ve got – they’ll be happy to help answer them. On a normal school tour, it is rare that you would have the opportunity to chat to members of the school community at such length.
Our students are our best ambassadors. That’s why, at a GIS Open Days, all Primary and Secondary school tours are led by students themselves. Enjoy their honest, first-hand experiences of life at GIS, and grab the chance to mix and mingle with our parents and teachers.
ADVANTAGE #3: Save Money!
Finally, most schools offer exciting discounts or fee waivers for families who attend their Open Day and complete the application paperwork on that same day. This often amounts to a significant financial benefit. And who doesn’t love to save a bit of money?
So, don’t miss out on these advantages and attend those Open Days!
Come along and experience a day at GIS; learn more about our academic heritage, innovative learning culture and what makes GIS one of the world’s top British International schools.
