Looking at schools. What to look for?

[KitKat1985]

Hi all.

DD1 starts school next year and there's quite a few primary schools in our local town, and so I've booked in some sessions to go to open mornings etc at a few local ones. DD1 has social and communication issues and is the process of getting an additional needs plan, and is awaiting an appointment to see paediatrician when I expect she will get an ASD diagnosis. I feel a bit over-whelmed by it all right now, and just need some guidance to what to ask / think about when viewing schools, as it's all completely new to me as she's my eldest too (I also have DD2 who is nearly 2). So far I'm thinking:

1. What SEN support is available.
2. How far the school is from home / ease of parking etc.
3. Do they offer breakfast / after-school clubs to help with childcare on my work days?
4. How the school manages bullying (I'm mindful that DD1 may be more likely than most to be bullied as she's 'different' in various ways to most of her peers).

What else do I need to think about?

Ask to see the school in normal operation. Ask to meet and talk to the SENCO, maybe on a seperate visit - what you think of this person can be crucial.
Really the SEN provision would be the top and the most crucial on my list. Avoid people with a "we have had lots of children with X and know ow to treat them" attitude, you want people who will treat your DD as an individual and with a creative and flexible approach.
If you need after school clubs ask about how these cope with children with SN. If you already use a childminder could they do wrap-around care? This could limit the schools you can use.
Do not accept that your DD will be more bullied than other children (although SN children can be more sensitive to things which aren't "bullying" like excess noise - I have been told off for "shouting when I was silent, my breathing can be shouting apparently).

But with all children the feel of the school and how it fits your child are the most important factors.

Thank you Bekabeech. I agree talking to the senco if possible would be a good idea.

You need to check that she will get in, as well as your DD2. If your DD2 won't get in, you need to consider whether it would still suit you.

Check admission policies carefully as well as local authority data on how many siblings were admitted and to what distance.

Always, always have a back-up school which you WILL get into. You aren't making a choice but indicating a preference.

Does she have or is it likely she can get an EHCP? If so you have more genuine choice.

You must meet the SenCo. That's a must.

And the head. You need to know the heads approach to SEN. Everything comes from the heads attitude.

And you need to know you can work with the senco.

A quiet area is useful for kids with ASD.

Thanks for your replies.

No DD1 doesn't have an EHCP. I'm told she is unlikely to qualify but will get an additional needs plan, so she will be going to a mainstream school. Practically yes, wherever DD1 goes DD2 will go to as well, so we do have to be mindful of this too, you're right.

I agree meeting the SENCO is going to be really important, and assessing their attitudes to SEN provision.