Private schools Qld: Parents getting on waiting list before child’s birth

Over three-quarters of Queensland private school parents are choosing their children’s school before they are even born. Here’s why.

More Queensland parents than ever are choosing their children’s private schools before they are even born, a new survey has found.

An Independent Schools Queensland parents report has revealed over three-quarters of parents put their child’s name down on a waiting list for their preferred school, with 30 per cent opting to for multiple schooling options despite often expensive waiting list fees.

Over a quarter of the 4000 respondents said the search for a perfect school came from before, or immediately following, their child’s birth.

And over half of parents said their children influenced which school they ultimately chose – but almost a quarter said they had none or little say.

Cannon Hill Anglican College students Ethan, 6, and Ryan Nettleton, 9, with Jemimah Rego, 14

ISQ chief executive Chris Mountford said the survey also gave the first comprehensive look at how the state’s private schools handled the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, with 86 per cent of parents satisfied or very satisfied with their school’s response.

“In what has been an incredibly difficult and unprecedented time for the education sector, parents have taken note of how well independent schools have managed their child’s learning throughout the pandemic,” he said.

“Independent schools have the agility to adapt quickly to disruption, and this has been highlighted during the pandemic where they have minimised the impact on student outcomes.”

The top reasons for choosing a school remained relatively stable over the past few years, and include preparing students to fulfil their potential (No.1 reason), fitting the child’s individual needs, and teacher quality.

Originally published as Private schools Qld: Parents getting on waiting list before child’s birth