When a family relocates, a suitable school will determine whether the child is happy, makes friends, learns successfully and is reaching his/her academic potential. Schools become the primary source of a child’s social world and must ultimately match family values and requirements. For families moving for the first time, it can be completely daunting as to whatt steps are necessary in searching for a new school. Parents want a school just like the one their child is leaving; parents want the top school; parents want a school with excellent sport facilities; and so on. These are the kinds of issues the parents face when relocating.

Consequently, it is important for parents to evaluate what they are really seeking from a school and what needs and requirements they need to fulfill for their child to be happy and secure. Most parents are very unwilling to sacrifice educational quality in a transition and this can often cause lots of stress and anxiety. In such a case, it is extremely important for parents to re-examine what is most important for the entire family, from their values to the child’s strengths, weaknesses, intellectual and extracurricular interests – all of these issues help in the initial search and eliminate the schools that are not appropriate for their child.

Another important factor for parents is to be open to options. This is valuable and very helpful when parents have expectations about specific schools to which admission is not going to be possible or when waiting lists are considerably high. As well as this, parents should make time to visit schools before they move to their new location –choosing a suitable school will also play a part in the location of the family home. Many parents have refused job offers due to not finding suitable schools for their children and other parents have suffered because the school of their choice is situated miles from their home.

A lot of factors determine the choice of a school, so it is always best to prepare well before actually visiting schools. It is best to generate a list of criteria based on the child’s needs, strengths, weaknesses, family values (religious, non-denominational, single-sexed, coed, large, small) and geographical logistics. A thorough research of schools is essential and a focusing on a range of schools, such a public, independent and private is also very important.

Relocating families are under a lot of stress – moving countries and jobs, while trying to find schools and housing can be for many the ultimate nightmare. To make the transition less stressful on all family members, parents need to have real expectations, patience, flexibility and persistence when searching for a suitable school. Every country is different, and school systems differ from country to country. Just remember - a child’s education and happiness comes first.

Written by: Anne Murphy, Education Consultant, from ITS Tutorial School.