AIBU to ask what sorts of questions I should be asking secondary schools?

[Liveonyournerves]

We've started looking around secondary schools. I can get a feel for the place, speak to individual teachers etc but I realised I don't really know what sort of 'bigger' questions to ask or explore.

Any advice welcome!

Depends what your priorities are really? GCSE grades? Performance league tables (all out of date now), curriculum offered? Extra-curricular sports/arts? Pastoral care. SEN provision?

I'm a teacher and for me it was all about a robust behaviour policy. If the majority kids are behaving well then most will learn and make progress and be happy whilst their doing it. I chose a very small Secondary for my DC. Less facilities and a narrower curriculum but very good behaviour and high GCSE results.

Ask about staff turnover. Schools with a stable staff tend to be better