To ask what you’re looking for in primary school open days?

[Malkin48]

I’m feeling a bit put off seeing my local primary school because you aren’t allowed to bring your child with you. They say it’s so that you can concentrate on the head’s presentation. But I wanted to see if my child seemed comfortable there. AIBU to ask for a separate show round? And, from those of you who’ve done this, what sort of things should I be looking for or asking about? Would you prefer it if the head was doing the tour or if it was older children? What sorts of questions should I ask? So much to think about! Thanks.

Even if you were able to take your child I don’t think it would give you or your child a fair indication of how they would be at that school. You’re generally taken on a tour around the whole school, sometimes popping into classes to see what’s going on. The time spent in the reception classrooms would be minimal.

I would be looking for the behaviour of children, how staff interact with children and each other, if the children look happy, as well as the general upkeep. Also, what would play time look like? How is the curriculum enriched? How active is the PTA?

Can you imagine what sort of chaos it would be if everyone brought their child with them?

I looked for

• a school that felt right. Similar to when you're look at houses, you just get the feeling.

• signs the school is well organised. Good communication around the open days and planning. Staff made available to meet parents.

• how happy the kids seemed.

• performance of school in Sats.

• what the SENCO is like especially how accessible they are.

• smaller school so they can focus on individual children.

• how easy it is to get there with the option to walk.

Less important to me was

• school trips/extracurricular activities.
• fancy school equipment.
• Ofsted rating - couldn't care less.

I'd be amazed if they'd do an individual tour for you, I couldn't get any sort of tour at all of two of our local primaries as they were all booked up by October. Be grateful you're getting one!

I preferred Heads doing tours, they're a bit young in primary to present the information and the approach of the Head tells you a lot about the school. Personally I was looking for happy and relaxed kids. There was a nice moment on our tour of the school we chose when the Head shared a joke with an older child who was in the corridor. Head was kindly and approachable but clearly commanded respect. It felt like a well run school.

Short walking distance to the school was also a big factor in my decision,it makes a huge difference to our quality of life to only travel 10 minutes to school.