Primary school help

[Pinkstegosaurus]

We are currently looking at primary schools for our daughter to start next year. We’ve just moved slightly out of our area and we’re interested in the very local (walking distance) primary which is pretty new and seems popular with parents on the estate so we’ve booked in at next weeks parents evening before making a decision. As the school is so new, it doesn’t yet have an ofsted report so it’s a bit of an unknown quantity! What sort of questions should I be asking when we get there? This is our first to go to school!

It's more about the atmosphere and character of your child. I looked at 3 primaries for my eldest, two I really liked, talked about developing their confidence, ensuring they enjoy learning etc. Other one focused almost entirely on results and the assistant head teacher shouted at some children in front of us, in my opinion entirely for show. Having said that though, eldest had mild SEN at age 3 when we looked, so I wanted a nurturing school. The more academically focused one would have been a better fit for DS2. Of the two I liked, one was a tiny village school further away, one was bigger and closer. Easy choice really.

How they teach reading
Behaviour management
SEN support
Extension activities for brighter children
Do all children get their work displayed or just the clever ones
Are the oldest / year 6 children like you would want yours to be (polite, confident, articulate)

... and Homework policy

Are you friendly with the neighbours, you could ask them what they like/dislike about it?

Fab points, thank you 😊 definitely keen on a more nurturing environment, DD is confident but can be squashed quite quickly. I’ve been able to briefly chat with some of the local mums on the street who have children who go there and it does all sound quite positive so far, but don’t feel like I can interrogate them too much!
Are 4/5yo’s generally given much homework beyond reading? I’m sure it varies between schools but as a rule should any be expected? I don’t think I did any homework until later primary school apart from reading/spelling!

Many schools won’t have recent OFSTED reports due to COVID, if you end up looking at other schools

Have you looked at their website?

I only mention ofsted because I’m told it’s a good place to start when looking at schools, I know it’s not the be all and end all, but yeah, don’t think they’ll have an ofsted report anytime soon with the backlog. The other schools we’re considering are a bit more straightforward because I know kids that have attended them so I’m less worried about sounding them out, this one is just such an unknown quantity at the moment but looks so lovely, big modern building with lots of open windows and nice play ground etc. The convenience of being able to walk there every day is also very attractive!

Schools seem to vary in their approach. Some schools ask for reading, and spellings, and writing practice, and .... Others only ask for reading and then gently introduce from ~y2 or later.

The curriculum for EYFS has changed this year. You can ask how they are dealing with that, should be more play less written observations from the teacher.