How to pick the best school for your children, look at the loos

Many parents, particularly fathers, focus on assessing the quality of computer rooms and sports facilities and are easily dazzled at glitzy open days. But they are missing the point, according to the Good Schools Guide.

It is the "individual touches" such as the quality of lavatories and cloakrooms that can reveal a school's attitude towards its pupils, says Sue Fieldman, the guide's regional editor.

"It always makes people laugh but in fact it's very true, it is exactly the same as going to a restaurant," she said.

"If a school just goes that extra mile to make sure that the toilets are nice and clean for the kids it makes the children and the parents feel wanted."

Reviewers who are sent to identify the best state and private schools for the guide are always told to check the lavatories, she said. "These details are overlooked by parents because they are more impressed by the IT rooms."

Research for the new Good Schools Guide 2010 found that many parents were choosing schools for the wrong reasons.

Fathers in particular are being unduly influenced by the number and size of sports facilities, the position of the school in exam league tables, and how many pupils it sends to top universities, according to the guide.

Mothers, however, are far less likely to notice the IT or sports facilities and tend to be more interested in the standard of written work and art on display.

Women often look for a school where the child will be happy while men want a school where a child will achieve top results, according to Ms Fieldman.

"School hunting does bring out typical male and female traits which are not always the right ones," she said.

"Treating pupils as individuals is the one common factor that stands out in all the best schools in and around London, whatever their size."

SCORING TOP MARKS: SOME OF THE BEST FROM THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE 2010

The Queen's Church of England Primary, Richmond: "Secret of its appeal is the desire of the whole school community for the children to do well in all areas."

Graveney School, Tooting: "Immensely caring and successful school that manages to treat everyone as individuals."

South Farnham Community Junior: "An absolute star in the state system. Stands head and shoulders above many private schools."

George Abbot School, Guildford: "Atmosphere is calm, controlled and ordered. Pupils and teachers respect each other."