Quick intro
Choosing a primary school is more than exam results - it’s about the everyday experience: safety, teaching quality, class sizes, pastoral support, and how the school communicates with families. Use the short checklist below when comparing schools in Harare and during in-person visits.
Academic programme & results
Check the curriculum (Cambridge, ZIMSEC, IB), recent test/checkpoint pass rates and whether they publish sample exam results.
Ask for recent checkpoint or national exam summaries and examples of typical homework by year.
Class size & individual support
Smaller classes usually mean more attention - ask about pupil:teacher ratio and learning support for students who need it.
Probe how the school supports children who are behind or ahead (intervention groups, extension activities, EAL support).
Wellbeing & pastoral care
Find out who looks after children's emotional and social development: counsellors, learning support, behaviour policies.
Ask for the safeguarding policy, and how the school identifies and supports pupils with social or learning needs.
Extra-curricular & leadership
Look for a balanced programme - sports, arts, clubs and chances to take responsibility (house system, prefects).
Which activities are included in fees? Are there additional costs? Are there pathways for leadership or public speaking?
Transport & safety
Transport reliability is a daily concern — check routes, supervision, vehicles, and emergency procedures.
Confirm driver checks, adult supervision on buses, GPS tracking (if any), and how the school communicates delays.
Facilities & learning resources
Inspect classrooms, libraries, labs, play areas and ICT provision. Modern equipment supports active learning.
Ask how often ICT equipment is updated, whether science labs are practical-ready and how playground safety is maintained.
Fees & value
Fees are important but consider the value — pastoral support, extracurriculars and transport can justify higher fees.
Request a clear fee schedule (termly vs annual), refund policy and extra-cost activities to avoid surprises.
Parent engagement & communication
Good schools keep parents informed through reports, apps, newsletters and regular meetings.
How often are parents updated? Are there parent-teacher meetings and easy ways to contact teachers?
Safety & safeguarding
Confirm visitor policies, child protection procedures, first aid provisions and emergency plans.
Who is the DSP (Designated Safeguarding Person)? Ask for the written safeguarding policy and how staff checks are done.
Visit & trust your instincts
Observe the calm of the classrooms, how staff interact with children and whether the campus feels organised and warm.
Trust your instincts: are children engaged? Is the environment tidy and welcoming? Are staff patient and responsive?