Navigate Primary School Applications with Confidence
✔ Understand admissions and school places
✔ Learn how to interpret Ofsted and performance data
✔ Discover what schools are really like beyond the open day
✔ Make a confident final preference list
Three Routes to Choose From...
Full Programme
Full online course (see example below), with more than 3 hours worth of bitesize videos which you can watch/listen to at your own pace at times which suit you and your family. Full video explanations of how to find and interpret data and how to work through my Five Key Debates in Education Toolkit. Exclusive access to my support community of parents and my group Q&A sessions.
Most Popular!
97
Full Programme + 1:1 Session
All of the above, plus a 1:1 call with me! In this call we discuss your context in detail. I promise to keep working with you - as long as it takes - to ensure you feel confident!
247
Take a look inside the Online Course...
OR, Get Started with the Toolkit...
For less than the cost of a takeaway, you'll get the practical resources that help hundreds of parents approach school applications with more clarity and confidence. Use the guidebook to understand the process and use the preference planner to compare schools and help rank-order the preferences.
£19.99
And if you later decide you'd like the full course, community and support, I'll deduct the full cost of the toolkit from your programme purchase!
Risk-Free: 100% refund for anyone not COMPLETELY satisfied!
Everything You Need, In One Place
Many families will spend hours researching a holiday, weeks researching a car, months researching a house.
Yet the decision about where a child spends over 1,000 hours a year is often made with...
-
one open day
-
a few rumours
-
an Ofsted headline
-
a recommendation from another parent
-
'gut feeling'
The goal isn't to find the perfect school (there isn't one). The goal is to make a thoughtful, informed decision you can feel confident about now and for the years to come.
What Parents Say...
Tracey, London
We were introduced to Joe through our child's nursery... we signed up to the full programme and it was brilliant! It highlighted loads of things we would have missed...
Begona, London
I now feel like I am in a much better position - knowing what is relevant to me and the type of school I want for my child.
Sian, Bristol
This is what's missing from the school entry system right now and Joe is doing such a service to parents by offering all this support - definitely recommend!
Why Parents Trust School Compass
-
17+ years working in education
-
Invited to give evidence on curriculum reform by the House of Commons Education Select Committee
-
Former senior leader responsible for curriculum and assessment at an 'all-through' 4-18 school
-
Former Head of CPD at a national education trust
-
Worked with schools across the UK on curriculum and school improvement
-
Education consultant and speaker
-
Contributor to national education conversations and policy discussions
-
Parent of two young children navigating the system myself
-
Independent and objective - not linked to any school or local authority
FAQ
Will you tell me which school is best for my child?
No. But I will give you the information, tools and frameworks you need to make the best decision for you and your family. Education is complex - what is good for one family, may be bad for another. You will finish the course empowered with all of the insider wisdom you need to understand the trade offs.
Do you cover all of the different school types? Like private schools?
Yes! I cover all of the main school types you will encounter in England. This includes state, local authority, grammar, independent, faith, single-sex etc. You can skip any not relevent to your context. The ebook which comes with the course goes into more detail about each options.
How much time will the course take to complete?
In total, around 3 hours. However, the sections are broken down into bitesize chunks of between 10-30 minutes. They are video based so can be watched after bedtime or on a commute. I have been told that the course also works well as a 'podcast' if you prefer to listen whilst making dinner!
Can I do it with my partner?
Absolutely! Just like doing a birth course, it can be helpful to go on this journey together. The last section about Values is good to discuss as a family as each member will likely have different (hidden) views of 'good school'. It is empowering to bring these to the surface.
How long can I access the material?
Forever! Once you enrol, you can have the course all through the process and beyond - you can re-do any sections, dip-in and out or skip ahead!
Isn't this information just available for free?
No. You will likely find some information on your Local Authority website, but this goes into far more detail (and is completely independent and objective). I have spent four years collating and curating the information and then sequencing it so it is easy to understand. I have to create this for myself - now I want you to have access too.
All of the money goes directly back into continuing this project. Keeping it independent allows me to give honest, objective information and not simply push an agenda. My model is NCT or other courses designed for new parents (like sleep courses, potty training courses or weaning guidance)
What if I don't find it helpful?
I am confident you will! But, if not, just email joe@school-compass.com and I will arrange a refund straight away! I guess there is a first time for everything....