Erica Sears, admissions manager at The King?s School, Chester, offers advice on how to go about finding the right independent school for your child in the new normal
Finding the right independent school for your child is one of the most important decisions you?ll ever make. No matter whether your child is just starting out in reception or you?re thinking about the move to seniors, the range of options can feel overwhelming. Independent or state" Single sex or co-ed" A school that can see your child through from age four to sixth form, or a different school for each stage"

The last year and a half has been far from easy but there?s no doubt that independent schools fared well as they faced the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. They were able to switch to online learning almost immediately, ensuring that pupils didn?t miss any teaching time, and established house systems ensured that strong pastoral care was easily continued remotely so that no child felt isolated.  Back in the classroom, the advantages of independent education speak for themselves. Small class sizes are a mainstay of private schools and the advantages are as obvious in infants as at sixth form, providing personal teacher attention when it?s most needed. Strong pastoral care also underpins a good independent education; in the best schools, exceptional exam results are achieved by placing as much importance on emotional wellbeing as academic rigour. 
But with so many schools to choose...