Secondary school open evening tomorrow, what to ask?

[Acunningruse]

Just that really! DS is our eldest and tomorrow is our first open evening. We aren't pushy parents, we just want him to be happy. Factors to be aware of are that he suffers from anxiety in busy places which his primary school are helping with and we have had CAMHS input.
Not sure what questions to ask, if any, other than how will they support him.

I would ask about their pastoral care so you know what support is in place if he needs it but my main advice is to get a feel for the school and trust your gut about whether it feels right for your son or not. Good luck!!

"What does success look like for my child in your class? What support does he need to reach that?"

Ask about how they handle transition from y6 to y7. Also, how they integrate the new year 7s, particularly those that may not know many people or may lack confidence.

GCSE options, how many and what are they.
Apart from that base it around your child's needs.

Behaviour policy - they'll probably tell you but worth delving as we were really put off anywhere that had incredibly strict ones; you know, detentions for things like forgetting equipment or eating lunch in the wrong place or whatever, as it would have stressed out our oldest, even though (in fact especially because) they are a 'good kid' and the possibility of getting punishment for small things would have been really upsetting and worrying.

Ask about pastoral care - many schools now I think have refuge/quiet spaces for kids who are anxious or have additional needs.

Attitude to bullying what will they do

NailyDale how would a teacher who doesn't know your child be able to explain the support your child needs to achieve in a particular subject that is honestly one of the most ridiculous questions I have heard in a while.

Yes please ask this so the teacher can warn the other teachers about you.
How is a teacher on an open evening meant to know what support the OP's child is going to need?

What areas are available if my child is struggling to remain in class due to his behaviours stemming from anxiety.

Clue it ain’t the removal room where my school send the children.

If its a "no excuses" school.

Ih homework is constant self quizzing.

If teachers have any freedom to teach away from a script.

If they use "SLANT."

What support there is for anxious students... and if needed SEN support in future.

How is the pastoral care organised, how can the children access it?

Can you make appointments with SEN coordinators now to see what they require/offer/need/do in general for a child with your child's conditions?

MFL - how many do they teach (DD's school only did one with no chance to change and it was difficult for some who just couldn't get the hang on it)

School day structure, how many peridos, break and lunch procedures, late opening of library/homework club, extra curriculuar activities

If they set sets straight away what is their procedure about reviewing it and what is the base line for allocation?

How is the first week structured? Is there a transition day during Summer term where they meet their form?

Digital communication: how is homework set and how does it need submitting? Is there a parent log in to check as well (more important in the beginning until they know how to organsise themselves).
Are forms/informations to the parents send via this as well or via email/app/paper?

Lots of things are more practical but good to know, not about making a decision about how the school is.

We found one of the important things was how the new Y7s who showed us around were interacting with the teachers. Our guide got lost at one point and the head saw us and gently asked where we were supposed to go and if there was anything else the girl needed. There was no fright or unease, just normal respect to a teacher and I think that says a lot how a girl who is in the school for 1 month is feeling already comfortable around staff.

Definitely ask about pastoral care. So many schools - like my eldest’s - bang on about mental health but do bugger-all in practical terms. Their top priorities seem to be about uniform wearing and only missing a day off school if a limb is hanging off. I get no real sense that they care about students.

Ask about communication - again, eldest’s school is awful - they like to give us minimal notice about expensive school trips, send emails re the wrong year group, hit and miss whether they reply to an email you’ve sent them, rarely if ever send reminders…

Like you, I’m not a pushy/demanding parent, loved our primary school but the secondary school really annoys me.

Listen out for how much they mention they want children to be happy. If not, I’d be concerned.
Try to sense the atmosphere. If it’s really formal between staff, not a great sign. If you can tell there is some warmth amongst staff - good sign.
Aside from pastoral care, ask about their progress score ie how much progress students make compared with their peers nationally.

Also, ask what transition programme they have in place for children who find the move to secondary difficult or struggle with making friends.

One we wanted to know was if there was an orchestra and opportunities to play. Many schools don't have this and it was important to us - you might have a favourite sport or club or music that's important to you?

One of the schools we have already visited use SLANT - would you say this is a largely positive or negative sign?

I'm not the person who mentioned SLANT but for some kids I think it's shit.

https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/2021/09/13/slant-wont-work-for-send-students-so-what-does/

Thank you, I'll take a look at this

Yes I think it's shit but mainly as I worked with families with kids with additional needs who slip through the system.

I'd be asking about what if there's a kid who finds eye contact uncomfortable and can't track the teacher etc. It may be they are well set up and have accommodations.... it is really just part of a bigger picture of a particular approach.

Also for some students that approach works. If they're very school shaped it means their lessons aren't disrupted, quiet corridors etc. It often goes with "self quizzing " homework which can work if it suits your child too...

Honestly as a teacher I wouldn’t ask any of those questions at an open evening, but I’d be quizzing parents of kids at the school closely. Schools put on a good show at open evenings, not to say they don’t do a good job usually, but it’s always quite an artificial situation. They’re good for getting a feel for the school and taking to current student guides (who will always tell the truth very bluntly!) but you’ll get far more honest answers about those things from local parents IME

yes and no.

We managed to get hold of some parents, including our neighbour, but it is difficult to find them for the subjects you are looking for.

If they don't have children currently in 6th form, lots of things change. We have a huge overhaul thanks to a new head teacher.

There are some things you can gather, a general feel for the school, attitudes and outlook in general but in my opinion it's better to ask teachers about the subjects as we found what they present at the open evening is what they will cover in the two years.