Secondary Open Evenings, some questions about them....?

If you are shown around by a student quiz them (nicely!) about how they spend their time at school - what activities they do/have done, trips they have been on, favourite teachers (less than favourite teachers) etc. See what they get enthusiastic about - it can be quite revealing.

At both our local secondaries, current students give guided tours. You can't wander around at will. But you can ask them to go to particular areas - so have a think about anything you particularly want to see (e.g. music studio if your child is musical, sports facilities if they are sporty etc). And think about questions only a student could answer. "Is it easy to make friends? What is the food like? Do you get a lot of homework?"

Definitely find out what time the Head's talk is. We found them quite revealing about the ethos and priorities of the school and changed our mind quite fundamentally about one exam factory school.

Listen to what the Head doesn't say too.

I think what the head doesn't mention shows what they don't value so much.

I went to an open evening recently where the head failed to mention support for less able children. I thought that spoke volumes.

if there is no food offered that has been cooked in the tech kitchens, ask yourself why

Turn up early, there will be a set programme, probably head speaks only once near the start & you wander around after that although sometimes people are channelled to different parts of the school to avoid congestion. You can get an impression of HT's philosophy & organisation from things they say. If they talk too long, that's a bad sign too!!

We never get round the whole school when we go, too, so another reason to go early.

Has anyone ever been to a geography/history classroom that wasn't tatty? They're almost always in bad state here.

arrive early
stay till you get bored

At my school, there are two talks from the Head, so parents and children who arrive early go straight into the theatre and then tour the school afterwards, whereas those who arrive a little later tour first and then attend the second talk. We've been known to do a third talk if there is demand.

As above, at least one class per department will be open with members of staff to answer questions and we usually have activities set up for the children as well. We also have current pupils dotted around to help give directions.

My top tip would be to arrive early if you can. Parking fills up very quickly!

At my school there is a talk by the head at the end of the evening. You aren't expected to go for the whole time, but it would be best to find out when the head's talk is and time your visit for that.

Again at my school you can wander around in whatever order you like. The different curriculum areas will have classrooms open with displays/activities.

You need to think about your child and what matters to them, then prepare questions. So ask about extra curricular sport - are the teams open for all, how many weekend fixtures are there etc. Music - choirs, orchestras, can you pay for instrument lessons? Academic - when do they take their options, how soon do they set in maths, do the top sets take extra GCSEs (e.g. further maths). Avoid any schools that have students routinely taking GCSEs early. Pastoral support. SEN support. Homework. Transport. Anything that's important to you.