What Questions Should You Ask on an International School Open Day?

An open day can feel like a lot to absorb. There is usually a tour, a presentation, a meeting with an admissions officer, and perhaps a chance to speak with a teacher or two. Families leave with a brochure and a general impression, but not always the information they actually needed.

If you are about to visit a school, preparing your questions in advance can make all the difference. This checklist gives you a practical guide to take with you to any international school open day in Warsaw, organised by who you are likely to speak to and what each question is designed to reveal.

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Before You Arrive: Do Your Research

A well-prepared visit is a better visit. Before you go, spend some time on the school's website. Look at the curriculum, the co-curricular offer, and any accreditation or inspection information available. Note anything that is unclear or that you want to understand better in person. Arriving with specific questions signals that your family is truly interested and often prompts more detailed, honest answers from staff.

Take a moment to think about your child's particular situation before you visit. Are they anxious about making new friends? Do they have a specific learning need? Are they passionate about a sport, an instrument, or a subject? These specifics should shape the questions you ask and the answers you listen for.

Questions to Ask the Admissions Team

How do you support new students in their first term, specifically? Ask for detail beyond the general answer. A buddy system, pastoral check-ins, a dedicated new student induction, and parent welcome events are all positive signs.

What does the language support programme look like for students who are new to English or who are developing a second language? At TBS Warsaw, students benefit from a dedicated EAL programme. It is worth understanding what that looks like in practice at any school you visit.

How does the school handle mid-year admissions? This matters if your family moves to Warsaw at short notice or outside the typical September intake.

What is the typical class size at the year level my child would enter?

What accreditations does the school hold and when were they last reviewed?

What does the pathway to university look like and how does the school support students through the application process? At TBS Warsaw, students can follow the IB Diploma Programme or take A Levels alongside it. Understanding which pathway suits your child is one of the most important conversations to have early.

Questions to Ask Teaching Staff

How do you get to know individual students and their learning needs?

What does a typical lesson look like at this year level?

How do you communicate with parents when a child is struggling, academically or personally?

What opportunities exist for students who want to go deeper into a subject they love?

How does the school draw on its wider partnerships and collaborations to enrich learning? For TBS Warsaw, the partnerships with MIT and The Juilliard School are a meaningful part of the offer. Asking how they translate into the classroom experience reveals how embedded they really are.

Questions to Ask the Head Teacher or Director

What is your vision for students who leave this school? What do you hope they carry with them?

How do you think about wellbeing alongside academic achievement?

What are you most proud of from the last year?

What are you still working to improve?

That last question is particularly revealing. A head teacher who can answer it transparently and in detail is leading a school with a real culture of self-improvement. A vague or defensive answer tells you something too.

Questions to Ask Yourself During the Visit

Not every important observation comes from a conversation. Pay attention to what you see as well as what you are told.

Do the students seem purposeful and engaged, or subdued and distracted?

How do staff speak to and about students? Is the tone warm and respectful?

Does the school feel like a community, or does it feel transactional?

Are the common areas and corridors welcoming and well-maintained?

How does the school handle the moment you arrive? Are you greeted warmly, or left to find your own way?

A Quick Reference Checklist

Area	Question to ask
Admissions	How do you support new students in their first term, specifically?
Admissions	What is the typical class size at my child's year level?
Admissions	What accreditations does the school hold and when were they last reviewed?
Admissions	How does the school handle mid-year admissions?
Admissions	What is the pathway to university and how does the school support applications?
Teaching staff	How do you get to know individual students and their learning needs?
Teaching staff	How do you communicate with parents when a child is struggling?
Teaching staff	How do the school's partnerships enrich what happens in the classroom?
Head teacher	What is your vision for students who leave this school?
Head teacher	What are you still working to improve?
Your observation	Do students seem engaged and purposeful?
Your observation	Does the school feel like a community?

A good open day leaves you with a clear sense of whether a school feels right, not just whether it looks impressive. Trust your instincts alongside the answers you receive.

For a broader guide to what to look for when comparing international schools in Warsaw, read our guide to moving to Warsaw with children and finding the right school.

Visit The British School Warsaw

Our admissions team welcomes families at all stages of their search. Whether you are just beginning to explore your options or ready to make a decision, a visit to TBS Warsaw is the best way to see the school in person, meet our teachers, and get a genuine feel for the community.

We hold regular open days across the year, and our team is available for individual visits and conversations at any point. A virtual tour is also available for families who are not yet in Warsaw.

Book a school visit or contact our admissions team to start the conversation.