Don’t miss the Independent Schools Show in Battersea Park on Fri 31 Oct and Sat 1 Nov. We went to the inaugural show last year and were hugely impressed. A big airy reception hall with a glossy white champagne bar and smart tables laden with brochures sets the scene: slick, serene, smooth.

Once inside there are lots of stands representing a host of independent prep and public schools across the country. Crucially, the people on the stands are the ones that you really want to meet: headteachers and key staff. You feel that you can get a proper sense of a particular school from chatting to them. There is no other forum to do this under one roof – perfect if you have a long list of schools you are considering and don’t want to traipse around the country visiting them all to whittle it down.

Ralph Lucas from the Good Schools Guide was giving interesting insights in an adjoining lecture space which was a nice break to the rhythm. Not surprisingly, the list of schools attending this year has already exceeded last year’s by 20% and currently totals 130 schools.

It is definitely NOT an adult-only event. The organizers are keen to encourage visiting parents to bring their children along so they can play a part in the decision-making process. On the Friday afternoon they are hosting a Tea Party with heaps of free activities including face painting, a bouncy castle, goody bags and a story telling. There will also be a free crèche for children aged 3-6. Book your tickets now!

The Independent Schools Show, Battersea Park, SW11. Friday 31 Oct, 10am-6pm; Sat 1 Nov, 10am-4pm. Tickets: free in advance or £10 on the door. www.schoolsshow.com. Tel 7127 0034