Choosing a secondary school can feel like one of the biggest decisions a family makes — so how do you cut through the noise and work out which school is genuinely right for your child?

In Episode 3 of School Ties, Freddie Mills and Henry Stoot break down the secondary school search, from when families should start looking and how many schools to shortlist, to the factors that really matter when making a decision.

They explore some of the choices parents often wrestle with: big school or small? Single-sex or co-educational? Specialist strengths or a broad range of opportunities? And, crucially, how much should reputation and academic results influence the decision?

At the heart of the conversation is a simple idea: start with the child, not the school. Freddie and Henry discuss the importance of understanding a child’s personality, strengths, interests and support needs, and finding an environment in which they can genuinely flourish.

They also tackle some of the most common mistakes families make — including applying to too many schools, relying on websites rather than visiting, comparing children with siblings or friends, and chasing a prestigious name at the expense of the right fit.

Freddie shares a real example of a family whose original school choice turned out not to offer the boarding experience they expected, and how careful guidance helped them find an alternative when time was running short.

A practical guide to making the secondary school search feel less overwhelming — and keeping the individual child at the centre of the decision.

Email in your questions: schooltiespodcast@outlook.com

In Episode 2 of School Ties, Freddie Mills and Henry Stoot take a closer look at what boarding education really looks like today — and how families can decide whether it’s the right choice for their child.

Moving beyond outdated stereotypes, they explore modern boarding life, from full and weekly boarding to increasingly flexible options designed around family life. They discuss what helps children make a successful transition into boarding, whether there really is a “right age” to start, and the importance of finding the right child, right school and right time.

Drawing on Henry’s experience as a Head of Boarding and Freddie’s work supporting families through the school selection process, they explore what makes a genuinely great boarding environment: strong relationships with house staff, clear routines and boundaries, emotional safety, friendships, activities and that all-important sense of belonging.

They also share practical advice on what parents and children should look for when visiting a boarding school, the questions worth asking, and why the atmosphere in a boarding house can tell you far more than a prospectus.

Finally, Freddie and Henry discuss school fairs, open days and other opportunities to meet schools face-to-face — helping families explore their options with greater confidence.

A practical and reassuring guide to navigating modern boarding education and finding the right environment for your child.

Email in your questions: schooltiespodcast@outlook.com

In the first episode of School Ties, Freddie Mills and Henry Stoot introduce themselves and explore some of the big questions facing parents and schools at the start of a new academic year.

From the impact of VAT and falling birth rates to changing patterns in boarding and the future of independent education, Freddie and Henry look beyond the headlines at what these developments actually mean for families. They also discuss admissions, planning for the year ahead, and the trends parents should be keeping an eye on.

Finally, they tackle one of the biggest decisions families face: how do you choose the right boarding school? Looking beyond league tables and reputation, they discuss the importance of culture, pastoral care, boarding style, extracurricular opportunities and, above all, finding the right fit for the individual child.

A practical, accessible conversation for parents navigating the world of independent and boarding education.

Email in your questions: schooltiespodcast@outlook.com

Phones, tablets and laptops are now a normal part of school life — but how much technology is too much?

In Episode 6 of School Ties, Freddie Mills and Henry Stoot explore how schools are navigating the increasingly complicated relationship between education and technology.

They look at the growing use of tablets and laptops in the classroom, from easier access to resources and opportunities for personalised learning to concerns around distraction, screen fatigue, handwriting and whether technology always leads to better learning.

The conversation then turns to perhaps the bigger issue for parents: mobile phones. With many schools introducing increasingly strict policies, Freddie and Henry discuss what is driving the change, what different approaches look like in practice, and whether taking phones away actually helps young people develop healthier habits.

They also explore why there isn't necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution. For boarders, limiting phone use can encourage friendships and participation in school life; for international pupils, a phone can provide an important connection with family thousands of miles away; while for day pupils, the challenges can look different again.

Finally, they discuss what parents can do at home — from supporting school policies to setting boundaries and modelling healthy habits themselves.

Technology isn't going away. The challenge for schools and families is helping young people learn to use it well.

A balanced conversation about screens, smartphones and finding the right place for technology in school life.

Email in your questions: schooltiespodcast@outlook.com

In this episode, Freddie has a conversation on scholarships with our very first guest to the podcast. Elaine C. Walker, Founder at Everything's Education, is a true expert in school placement and has unrivalled knowledge of British Boarding Schools.

As ever, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch on our email schooltiespodcast@outlook.com

Exams can be one of the biggest sources of anxiety for children and parents alike — but what do all those grades, qualifications and assessments actually tell us?

In Episode 4 of School Ties, Freddie Mills and Henry Stoot cut through some of the jargon surrounding exams and qualifications, exploring GCSEs, A Levels, the International Baccalaureate and vocational routes such as BTECs — and why the most traditional academic pathway isn't necessarily the right one for every child.

They discuss what exam results can — and can't — tell us about a young person. Grades matter, but they don't measure qualities such as resilience, creativity, leadership or character, and one disappointing result rarely tells the whole story.

Freddie and Henry also demystify two assessments that often cause confusion for parents: Common Entrance and CAT4. What are they? What are schools looking for? And, crucially, how much preparation do children actually need?

Finally, they turn to exam season itself, with practical advice for parents on supporting children through revision and results without adding to the pressure — from establishing healthy routines and prioritising sleep to avoiding comparison, excessive tutoring and passing on our own anxieties.

Exams and qualifications matter, but they're only one part of a young person's education — stepping stones, not life sentences.

A reassuring guide to exams, qualifications and keeping results in perspective.

Email in your questions: schooltiespodcast@outlook.com