School application

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Hi there. Our AD will be starting school next year so we will soon be applying for a place. I have looked at local schools literature on line, pupil premium spending etc but at the open days is there anything specific you would suggest I focus on? Both the schools I'd consider have a good reputation generally but I don't know any adopted children who attend to understand how their needs are specifically met. Our AD does not have any specific needs at present and is meeting all milestones and attends nursery so this would be more a consideration for the future 'what if'.
Do you only need to put down one school given she will be given priority for a place? Thank you for any advice.

I’d pay attention to the feel of the school. How do teachers relate to the pupils, do relationships feel warm and caring, how do the staff talk about the kids. What does the school understand about trauma informed practice, ask them what that looks like in reality - eg ask for examples of how they’ve supported students who are struggling - and listen carefully to how they talk about those students. I’d be looking for an understanding of behaviour as communication, being very flexible in their approach, a recognition that children often mask at school and that distress about school may show up at home.

I’d also look at their attitude towards academic achievement eg can they accommodate a child who may struggle academically, will they put supports in place when needed or will they only work with diagnosis and ECHP processes. Basically you want somewhere where staff properly understand children and child development rather than paying lip service. You also want somewhere you can develop a good working relationship with the head teacher - that one thing will help enormously so if you don’t get a good vibe walk away.

I agree with Jelly

Although you really should only need to put 1 school down, I'd personally put at least 2, just because I'm paranoid.

You could ask whether they do things like ask for baby photos to be brought in (for the growing & changing topic in Reception or whatever it is called), or 'do your family tree' later on. Really what you are looking for is either 'Oh so many pupils have complicated families we do it like this...' or 'That's a good point, we could adjust that topic in discussion with you'. What you don't want to hear is that your child would be obviously different / left out / feeling awkward.

Also, if you are going to do things like say no to photos you could ask how they ensure photos aren't done whilst still being inclusive.

Really though although your child doesn't obviously have specific needs now it is quite possible/probably something may turn up in the 7 years, so you want to feel the school is approachable.

(And make sure they teach phonics properly not mixed methods whilst pretending to teach phonics.)

Our dd has just started Reception. For us a lot of it came down to gut instinct in the end. The school we chose was Ofsted outstanding but reading between the lines on the report seemed a genuinely lovely school to be at too. I got a really good vibe from it on visitting for various reasons (the reception is covered in anti-bullying posters. The teaching seemed very high quality and child-focussed. The kids were all polite and sweet) Almost everyone I asked who were at the school said it was amazing. Is it the absolute best for dealing with extreme challenging behaviour? Possibly not. However what it is is a genuinely lovely school with stimulating teaching and passionate and child-focussed teachers. I rationalised that with no apparent behavioural/learning problems that this was exactly what my dd needs. I'm not dissappointed so far. It's only been a few weeks but she's absolutely thriving there.

Like I said trust your gut instinct. I'd also suggest that if there's any schools you have your eye on it's worth joining facebook community groups etc and asking people who's kids are already there what they honestly think of it.

Good luck. It's stressful choosing but just remember that if your choice is a disaster then you always have the option of moving so don't worry too much xx