Choosing schools: what should be the basic expectations from a primary school?

[fairyglo]

We are on the edge of two school catchment areas so are looking around both plus other schools in case we need to move to make certain of a place, any place, in 18 months time. I would be grateful for advice on what to look for when visiting primary schools since I am a good 30 years out of date. I would ideally like my child to go to a state primary (mixed-sex) so at least for the moment my question is aimed at what are the realistic expectations from a reasonable primary state school.

I've looked at two schools so far. One has excellent results and a very high performing, motivated in-take. However, I was a bit surprised that it didn't seem to provide any non-academic services eg have an orchestra, choir, (not clear about class music lessons), no art classes, little sport - no grounds but maybe this is standard? There also seems to be an expectation that children will routinely have extra coaching. This surely shouldn't be necessary if the school is providing nothing but academic teaching?

Maybe this is the reality of education in 2006 but ideally I would not wish my child to spend all day at school then go off to a coaching class while family weekends are spent ferrying between sport or creative stuff. I would like a well-rounded education where academic prowess isn't the be all and end all.

The other school I visited has terrible results and a very mixed catchment. I've been warned that the teachers need to spend so much time on the pupils from the poorest backgrounds that any children from educated backgrounds are left to be taught reading and writing (and everything else) at home. But it seemed friendly, has a specialist music teacher to come in twice a week in reception, art classes, room for a small gym.

I know which of the two I prefer (although trying to keep an open mind since a) we may not get into either if there are loads of siblings and b) still want to see other schools) but the terrible results do worry me.

What do you expect from your primary school? How much outside academic and non-academic "filling-in" is the norm. these days?

Hi thanks, My son has only just started, so there are still tears everyday, less from me now! I do wonder about independant schools!Having twenty or similar in a class does obviously give more time for the children, but what are the benefits, if any for a class of thirty and a state school. I think my DS school will be a good school, and once we are over this horrendous settling in period, I feel it has good standards, "an outstanding head" to quote offsted, and draws on children from "advantaged backgrounds", which I suppose implies that parents have sought out the school, which did previously have poor and inconsistent leadership.I suppose it's early days, but......