Six years ago, to showcase UK private education, regarded as the best in the world, we staged the first Independent Schools Show Exhibition. Amongst the thousands who have been to this were an increasing number who flew in from Switzerland. So this September 13th and 14th we’ll be at The Grand Hotel Kempinski, Quai de Mont Blanc, Geneva from 2pm to 7pm.

There’ll be fifteen representatives from England; including the most famous of the “traditional” co-educational schools, Marlborough College, the ancient foundation of The King’s School Canterbury, the prestigious Wellington College, the leading girls schools Cheltenham Ladies College and Woldingham School as well as the prep schools (8 – 13) of Port Regis and Windlesham and the, unusual for the UK, non-uniform, non-denominational Bedales School.

In addition to those schools coming from England, will be two international schools, Aiglon College and St Gilgen whose education is on British lines and whose presence at the London Show is always of interest to UK parents.

So, here under one roof, you can start to find the best fit for your child, and his or her talents and skills, as well as for your family. You will have the chance to compare and contrast the different ways schools work, what they offer and whether they feel right. Over and over again it is this feeling of personal chemistry that parents cite as their main reason for choosing a school.

Should none of the schools represented be the one for you, and the scope and diversity of the independent sector is enormous, our staff, with their knowledge of many, many other boarding (a number of whom offer day places) schools all over the UK as well as of the intensely competitive London day schools, will be able to talk through other possibilities.

It pays to remember that it’s rare for schools not to have high standards, teach well, and deliver the outcomes we all want for our children: strong academic results, delightful and well- motivated children who are flexible thinkers with a social conscience. If schools weren’t doing this to the parents’ satisfaction then the market would close them!

Talking to the exhibiting schools, or indeed to our staff, here at the show, will be the beginning of that road. There’ll be the chance to make private appointments with schools on the Friday morning, perhaps to introduce your children?