Choosing the right prep school takes careful thought, and an open day gives you the chance to understand once and for all if a school is right for your child. You can walk through the classrooms, meet staff and observe how the school environment feels in reality. 

Asking the right questions at your open day helps you understand whether the school’s offerings align with your child’s needs. A prep school is a specific type of private school that helps prepare your child for their future education, so you need to know your chosen school does this well.

During an open day, you have the opportunity to explore how the school approaches learning, wellbeing and daily routines. By focusing on the areas that matter most, you can build a clearer picture of how your child will grow both academically and personally in that setting.

Here are eight key questions you should be asking at your prep school open days or private tours.

1. What is the typical class size for each year group?

When you visit a preparatory school, it is important to ask about the average number of pupils in each class. The student-to-teacher ratio affects how much individual attention your child may receive and how lessons are managed day to day.

In many UK primary schools, infant classes are legally capped at 30 pupils per teacher, but prep schools generally have smaller groups. This is because as independent schools, preparatory schools have the resources available to do this and can attract the most experienced and skilled teachers available. Smaller classes mean more tailored support and easier classroom management.

When you ask this question, try to find out if class sizes vary by year group or subject. This will give you a clearer picture of what your child’s learning environment will look like throughout their time at private school.

2. How does the school support pupils’ pastoral care and wellbeing?

You should ask how the school ensures pupils feel safe, happy and supported each day through student support services. Pastoral care focuses on pupils’ emotional, social and physical wellbeing. A strong system helps children build confidence and manage challenges effectively. This is core to our environment at St Martin's and contributes to our ethos of making every pupil happy and secure.

If you can, speak to the person who is responsible for pastoral support or student support services to understand more about what it means in practice. In many schools, the class teacher is the first point of contact, while a dedicated pastoral lead or team oversees wider wellbeing needs.

Ask how the school promotes inclusion and supports pupils’ personal development. Effective pastoral care helps children understand themselves and their learning. This includes encouraging positive relationships, resilience and a sense of belonging.

Find out more about what pastoral care is ahead of your open day.

3. What extracurricular activities and clubs are available?

You should ask about the range of extracurricular clubs and activities the school offers beyond the classroom. These can include sports teams, music, drama, art or academic societies. A broad choice helps your child explore different interests.

Find out if the activities are open to all pupils or if some are limited to certain year groups. Some schools provide opportunities from the early years while changing the programme to suit older pupils. Ask if you can explore extracurricular spaces, like sports facilities, on your open day.

It is also useful to ask how the school helps pupils balance academic work with extracurricular commitments. These activities support social skills and confidence, but shouldn't be so time-consuming that students fall behind in their core academic subjects.

You might also want to check the variety on offer. For example, we offer a wide range of extracurricular clubs and activities that include:

• STEAM hub (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths)
• yoga
• dance
• forest school
• music bands
• climbing
• debating
• cooking.

Finally, ask whether clubs are run by teachers or external providers. This can influence quality, cost and availability. Understanding these details will help you judge how well the school supports student life outside the classroom.

4. How are academic results measured and how do they compare nationally?

You should ask how the school measures pupil progress and achievement. Some schools focus on exam results, while others track the success rate of pupils securing places at their preferred secondary school. This helps you see not only outcomes but also the value the school adds over time.

Teaching methods are a key contributor to academic success, so this is a good opportunity to speak to your child's potential teachers. Find out how they approach classroom lessons and how they support students who may be struggling.

Understanding results in preparatory schools is particularly important, especially if you're sending your child to this school with the aim of securing a place at a prestigious secondary school. At St Martin's, we have a strong track record of securing students places at their preferred secondary school thanks to our excellent academics.

5. What does a typical school day look like from start to finish?

You should ask what your child can expect from a typical school day, as this will show you what their routine might be. Most schools in the UK open between 8am and 9am and finish around 3pm to 4pm, though times vary by school. Many schools also offer breakfast clubs or after-school care.

It helps to know when lessons, breaks and lunch take place. Some schools follow a traditional timetable with core subjects in the morning and creative or physical activities later in the day. Others may mix subjects throughout to keep pupils engaged.

You may also want to ask how long lessons last and how much time is given for breaks. A balance between focused study and rest is important for children’s wellbeing. Going on a campus tour during your open day and seeing the facilities first-hand can also help you see the school day come to life.

6. How is behaviour managed and what is the school’s discipline policy?

You should ask how the school sets expectations for behaviour and whether these are clearly explained to pupils, staff and parents. Most schools publish a written behaviour policy that you can usually find on their website. Information on our behaviour policy can be found in our parents' handbook.

Find out how the school encourages positive behaviour. Some schools, like St Martin's use rewards and praise to reinforce positive behaviour and deter bad behaviour, while using verbal warnings and consequences if children do misbehave.

Ask how discipline is applied across the school. A good policy should promote consistency so that all staff manage behaviour in the same way. This reduces confusion for pupils and ensures fairness.

It is also important to know what role the headteacher and governors play. They are responsible for shaping and overseeing the policy, while teachers apply it day to day. This shows you how leadership supports staff and pupils in maintaining high standards.

7. What is the approach to teaching core subjects and creative arts?

You should ask how the school balances core subjects like maths, English and science with creative areas such as art, music and drama. This will give you a clearer picture of whether the curriculum is broad and balanced.

Some schools focus heavily on test preparation, which can reduce time for creative learning. Others aim to integrate the arts into lessons, helping pupils connect ideas across different subjects.

At St Martin's, we ensure our curriculum is balanced with core academic subjects and a range of creative arts, which includes drama, dance, music and fine art. This allows our students to express themselves and build soft skills in addition to strong academic abilities.

By confirming this with your school on your open day, you can better understand how the school values both academic rigour and creative growth. You can also explore the academic and arts facilities on your tour, including the fine arts department, dance studios, performance spaces and music studios.

8. How does the school prepare pupils for the transition to secondary education?

You should ask how the school supports pupils as they move onto their secondary school. This can include the basics around teaching independence, encouraging responsibility and helping children adjust to new routines. But when it comes to prep schools, the proof is really in the pudding here.

Preparatory schools should be supporting pupils in the admissions process for their preferred secondary private school. This includes securing interviews and helping pupils prepare for those interviews. Strong prep schools will have evidence of their previous pupils' leavers destinations and a good acceptance rate.

Support with passing the 11+ or 13+ exams is also vital at preparatory school. Throughout your child's education there, they will be suitably prepared for their future education, but it's useful to find out how pupils perform in these key exams upon leaving.