The value of good educational guidance cannot be overestimated, particularly in view of the complexity and variety of options now viable to school leavers and the importance of making the right choice. In many schools careers guidance has developed significantly in recent years to ensure that pupils are aware of suitable opportunities and of their own strengths and aptitudes. Provision varies, however, from one school to another. Some have well-stocked, permanently staffed careers departments and a full programme of careers guidance, which includes formal assessment, talks from visiting speakers and work experience opportunities. Other may have more limited resources.

Special Educational Needs

The term “special educational needs” may b e applied to a whole range of individual requirements across the spectrum. The level of help available in mainstream schools varies widely depending on each school's policy on entrance requirements, the number of pupils with special needs accepted and the most appropriate type of special needs provision in the light of pupils' needs as well as on the availability of expertise and resources.

Parents of children in need of more individual attention, usually those with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, will find that there is a few numbers of mainstreams private schools which offer facilities and tuition in varying degrees. Some schools may bring in a specialist teacher to assist pupils at set times during the week. Some may have specialist teachers permanently on the staff. Schools which accept a larger number of pupils with special needs may run a specially staffed department or unit.

Extra-Curricular Activities

 Private schools at all levels care to encourage pupils to develop their interest outside the classroom as well as their academic ability. The range of options is now very wide indeed, offering pupils everything like art-appreciation, fencing and farming, often at very high standards. Most schools have a range of musical activities-orchestras, choir and violin, to name but a few and there are usually ample opportunities for individual music tuition. Most sports form part of extra-curricular activities as well as time-tabled lessons. Other alternative might include swimming, badminton, brownies and Scout groups, ballet, cookery, gardening, rowing, ball games, furniture restoration, stamps, carpentry, model-making, DT, pottery, drama, French clubs, community service and outward bound activities. Individual schools should be happy to supply parents with a list of their activities.

 

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