School Open day- What do I need to look for/ask?

[pigleychez]

Off to a school open day on Saturday for DD1 for Next september.

Any tips as to what I should be looking for and any questions to ask?

What Year group will this be for?

Reception. DD1 will be just 4 (snif snif, my baby starting school!)

I am visiting schools at the moment for my 4yo DD too.

Check out their Ofsted report, and ask them about the areas for improvement
Also ask to see their parent newsletters if they have them

Other questions I have been asking:
Class sizes, do they have a teacher and a TA in each
What support is giving if DD is struggling
What support is given if achieving highly
Breakfast/afterschool club provisions - onsite or off, what do they do (homework or playing), how much do they cost
Do they have computer access or an ICT suite?
Do they go out on many trips
How is discipline/bullying handled
Do they have a library and how often is it accessed
Do children go swimming
Is there opportunity for parents to come in and get involved
Is there a PTA
How and when is children's learning assessed
How is lunchtime supervised (DD has special dietary needs), can I see a menu

I have been to a few, and questions just pop into my head as I go along. I am every open day teachers nightmare :)

They are a good opportunity to get a feel for a school, look out for what displays are on the walls, how the teacher showing you around interacts with the children, what children and teachers are doing in class (are they engaged/paying attention)

HTH :)