Selecting the right school and obtaining a position for your child can be quite a struggle, and often it is only half the battle – you also need to factor in school fees, uniform costs, transportation, subject choices, and even what your child's special abilities are (and whether their skills will be appreciated by the school in question).  It may be that you decide to send your child to a specialist school, such as one that puts a focus on sports, drama, music, or the arts.  You may decide instead that your child will benefit from a practical-based curriculum, one that places emphasis on the manual arts, hospitality and the community.  Even if you choose a standard grammar school, you will need to ensure that they offer a suitable range of subjects and that there is a sufficient number of teaching staff and class rooms.

Another factor which will probably come into the decision making process is the financial situation of your family.  Some schools will cost more than others – this is an unfortunate but unavoidable fact of life.  You will need to consider the school fees, the ease with which transport to and from school can be obtained (and if the school is further away, how much this transport is likely to cost), whether the uniform is necessary and if it is, whether it has to be purchased brand new (some schools allow you to buy second hand), and even the annual number of trips and camps that your child will be expected to attend (as these will usually cost an additional fee).  The more prestigious the school, the more expensive it is likely to be.