Applying a school

[likeholiday]

Hello,

Would anyone please advise that generally speaking, how many times are needed to view each school before making the decision? Should we take DC with us?

Many Thanks.

[TeenAndTween]

Can you clarify

• age of child
• whether looking for private or state

For state primary 1 look at each option may well be sufficient, without the child.

[likeholiday]

TenAndTween, sorry I was away from my desk.

DC will be 7. We are thinking about moving him from state school to an independent one next Autumn.

[Leeds2]

If the school will definitely offer him a place, I would take DS and see what he thinks. If it depends on him passing an exam, and you are not sure he will pass, I would probably take him after you knew he had got in.

[likeholiday]

Leeds2, Thanks for the advise.

We are planning to visit 2 to 3 schools. All the schools' information leaflets say there will be an informal assessment in English and Maths once children have registered for places at DC's year group.

I wonder whether we should take DC to visit each school before assessment, in order to find out which one he likes; Or should we leave it after assessment?

[BigGreenOlives]

Most junior schools have Christmas Fairs and/or plays in the autumn term, especially if they go up to 13. Why don't you try & go to those with him so you can get a feel for the children & then if he does an assessment it won't be the first time he's been on the premises. You should be able to just ring the school & ask when their Fair is (probably either last weekend in November or the weekend before).

[likeholiday]

BigGreenOlives，thanks for the information. We did not know this! Will ask the schools when DH and I do the first visit.

[fittedcupboard]

Is this for entry into year 3? If so the "informal assessment in English and Maths" is likely to be the 7+, for which parents often tutor for upwards of a year. I would ask to see some past papers.

[likeholiday]

fittedcupboard, thanks for the information!

Yes, it is for the entry into year 3. DS is in Year 2. We have not got any private tutors for him, only me and DH help him doing some English and Math practice after school. What do other parents do in the similiar situation? Should we get some private tutoring for him?

Start to feel pressure now

[fittedcupboard]

I don't want to freak you out, but if it is a school that is oversubscribed he will be up against pupils from state schools that have been tutored for 1-2 years. Those in pre-preps will have all the school's experience and are often tutored too.

You're in a difficult position now as the exams are very soon and I doubt you'd find a tutor to take him. You could try mumteacher on this site who may be running some half term courses (London). If nothing else then Bond books are usually recommended and I think it is generally said that they should be working at the 8-9 level.

If the school isn't oversubscribed then ignore what I've just said. Where in the country are you?

[likeholiday]

Thanks fittedcupboard, we are outside London so the pressure might be not as high as those DCs in London. Following your advice, we have bought Bond books and tried a bit with DS. So far he seems not mind taking the extra bit of home work (though demanding more chocolates as reward).

Later this week his current school will hold parent evening. Hopefully we will know more about his learning progress.