Any advice on what to ask and look for during a school open day?

[user1489792710]

I plan to attend an open day at two local schools next week. DH was meant to join but will not be able to due to last minute work commitments. Both schools are private and rated well. We've already had a tour of the state primary and like it. Just exploring options and I'm not sure what I should be looking for and asking about.

We are new to UK and a bit confused about schooling...

Any help and advice much appreciated.

Just giving this a bump for you

Ask the teachers if they'd choose to send their own children to the school if they could. Then watch their reaction carefully. I speak as a teacher!

What sort of thing is important to you and your DC?

Though maybe you could phrase it more sensitively than I did in my previous post

Thank you @SignOnTheWindow I hate asking questions and am an eternal people pleaser so would probably not be asking any awkward questions! But thanks for the suggestion.. I will try to work it into consideration.

@AvocadosBeforeMortgages I grew up doing loads of sports, choir singing and theatre in school and really enjoyed it. That's what I would like for my DD as well. At least be exposed to a range of extra curricular activities and maybe find something she loves. She's also quite shy and introverted from what we can see so would like a school that could give her more attention.

*conversation not consideration... silly autocorrect!

For us pastoral care was really important. A present head teacher who knows the children and they respond well to him/her. Gut feeling that it's not a case of lots in the window and little in the store room.

Ask their bullying policy and be wary if they say they don't have them. Ask about their approach to academics/is it a hot housing environment. Make a point of finding out what makes them tick as a school - academics, sports, outdoorsy stuff, unique things. Also ask about their approach to mental health as well.

The best school academically may not be the one for your kids, try and chat to pupils (if you can) and really go with your gut instinct too.

Watch the children showing you around and how they interact with their teachers. Do the teachers know them, and acknowledge them, how comfortable do they seem etc

Make a list in advance of things you need eg do you need wrap around childcare, does your dc play an instrument and does the school have a teacher, do you want them to have a hot lunch, do you want them to learn a language etc.

Ask about class sizes, teaching assistants, sports played and schools they go on to attend.

First thing check their admission policies and last distances admitted.

Do not fall in love with a school if you have no chance of getting in.

Also, if you have siblings and are out of catchment, you need to consider the chance of getting them both in.

Ask about breakfast club and after care provision and the spaces available.

Check that all types of work are on the wall and not just the neatest pieces with the correct spelling.

I like to see busy, active Reception classes. I don't like to see 30 identical pictures of autumn trees. I dislike schools with behaviour systems like suns and clouds.

If the tour is led by senior teachers, do they know the children by name? Are the children keen to speak to them?

Thanks all. Loads to think about...
@cheesenpickles sorry about my ignorance but what is ' hothousing' exactly? I was told by an acquaintance that one of the schools is a hot house for the secondary school but obviously had no clue what she was talking about.

Hothousing means putting nice curriculum opportunities like music and art to one side in exchange for revision sessions, booster groups, intervention after intervention to get results up.

As well as all the practicalities, i think it is good to try to get below the surface presentation, if possible. For example, If you are there during a lunchtime, try to look in the dining hall! As a teacher, I use that as an excellent barometer of behaviour and atmosphere in a school when on interview. Though most open days probably won't go over lunch.

For my own DC, I also go by my reaction to the atmosphere of the place as well as all the usual things. Does it seem like a 'kind' place? Do the children and staff seem happy? Look at body language, rather than words to gauge this. An open day guide in a school can be taught a spiel and say all the right things ime but body language can back this up or not.

Hope that makes sense. Good luck. It is not easy.