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Original poster

Things I wish I had know when choosing schools - sharing some knowledge that those mums in the know will never tell you.

95 replies

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 09/05/2013 19:41

Firstly, relax. Even the dodgiest school in the area is probably not that dodgy. No child will suffer in reception/yr1/yr2 if they have parents that care.

OFSTED doesn't count for shit (fact) Make your own mind up.

Sending your child to the attached nursery means nowt in the school process.

Don't just follow your friends blindly, no one type of school suits all.

Private is not the be all and end all. Nor is it a great 'back up' plan.

Going to church for a year will a three year old doesn't fool any vicar (lighthearted)

Anymore???

OP posts:
scaevola · 09/05/2013 19:45

The biggest thing will prove to be the other pupils in your DC's year. You can do nothing, nothing whatever, about this as no-one can possibly know who they will be when at application stage.

wheresthebeach · 09/05/2013 19:46

Sometimes the schools with the best results are because of tutoring...not because of the teaching

Original poster
NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 09/05/2013 19:50

Hear hear to that bleach! Speaking as someone who has seen that in action - school get all the glory.

OP posts:
mamaduckbone · 09/05/2013 19:54

That parenting is the single factor that makes the most difference to a child's academic success.

That being able to walk to school and play out with local friends counts for a lot.

LePetitPrince · 09/05/2013 19:59

Staff and pupil turnover is a very important sign; if high, ask why.

wheresthebeach · 09/05/2013 20:00

Yep Natural...if I'd known at the time it would have been helpful. Maybe during the tours they should let on that in Yr 4 they bring in a tutoring agency for an afternoon to show the kids how 'fun' it all is! And then send home a letter.....Grrrrr.....

muminlondon · 09/05/2013 20:02

You don't get a choice - you get your nearest school (if you are lucky), otherwise the school chooses you.

Class sizes may not be what they seem - state schools have more classroom assistants than private schools (where they might otherwise have been employed as a teacher). And so pupils get taken off into smaller groups.

A 10% 'drop' in SATs results from one year to the next may just mean three children with no English joined the school in Y5.

newgirl · 09/05/2013 20:07

That state schools have changed a lot since most of us were kids - pretty much all have absorbed Montessori and Steiner methods (outdoor learning, through play etc), the opportunities are fantastic

Original poster
NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 09/05/2013 20:09

Oh my, yy ^^ to all these. You see so many threads about this stuff on mumsnet. They need to just read this.

Wish I'd read this when it was applicable.

OP posts:
Leeds2 · 09/05/2013 20:12

If you can, go to a school that you can walk to.

Consider the provision of pre school and after school care, if this is likely to be important to you at any point.

DameSaggarmakersbottomknocker · 09/05/2013 20:19

yy - to 'no choice' . You can express a preference; that's as good as it gets.

If you have a child in a nursery class attached to a school don't forget to apply for a Reception place. It's not automatic (and it's not my fault as school sec that you ignored my multiple letters/texts telling you this) [bad day]

QueenOfIndecision · 09/05/2013 20:21

if you base your school choice on the wonderful headteacher, bear in mind that he/she may leave at the end of your oldest child's reception year.

yy to after school care- dont' just assume there are childminders nearby.

OddSockMonster · 09/05/2013 20:22

If you ask enough people, there will always be someone with a horror story for each school you're considering, even the best/nicest ones.

Ignore them if it's just the odd one, start listening if it's dozens.

newgirl · 09/05/2013 20:24

Agree w sock - if you hear a criticism think about the person saying it - might be very different from you and sees the world differently - make up your own mind

Troubledjo · 09/05/2013 20:26

Only listen to those whose DC actually attend the school, not those who have horror stories based on friends'/ neighbours'/ friends of friends'/ people they met down the shop once's DCs' experiences...

AvrilPoisson · 09/05/2013 20:31

Agree wit newgirl- everyone who raved about the 2nd closest school to us was very hippyish, lentil-weavery type... we were appalled when we looked round to be frank!

newgirl · 09/05/2013 20:34

Know that some headteachers are very good at pr - others prefer to spend their time teaching!

nextphase · 09/05/2013 20:44

Always check YOUR LOCAL admissions criteria.
Don't take on faith 100% anything seen on line on MN or in playground gossip - round here, being in the school nursery DOES count -OK, its 7/7 on the criteria list, but it can matter, so check everything.

It is, from my understanding, hard to win an appeal - your stupid mistakes, or none understanding of the rules won't cut the mustard.

Sorry, natural, great thread however. How can we get parents of 2014 reception class kids to read it tho?

muminlondon · 09/05/2013 20:48

Middle class children aren't always nice. Or clever.

Middle class parents aren't always nice. Or clever.

CarpeVinum · 09/05/2013 20:55

That being able to walk to school

Oh hell. We are fucked then. DS's school is in Wales and we live in Italy.

He does play with all his local mates everyday though.

I think the most important thing is the school is a good fit for that specific child. I thought our local school was awful. But some kids thrive there.

Hullygully · 09/05/2013 20:57

This is my most important thing:

Hang about and watch the kids coming out of school.

happygardening · 09/05/2013 21:05

Schools with fantastic results whether they are independent or state have achieved these by carefully selecting their pupils and asking those who are not going to do well to leave. Not by taking a whole school of Johny Average's teaching them so well that he leaves at 18 with five A*s at A level.

ArbitraryUsername · 09/05/2013 21:06

The local school with the highest proportion of FSM gets the most funding. A mixed intake is usually best for everyone.

Before looking at schools, it's best to actually determine which schools you have any chance of getting a place at. There is no point in looking at schools you will never get in to.

Ofsted is utter rubbish. Outstanding means the head is good at paperwork.

ArbitraryUsername · 09/05/2013 21:11

Think about how expensive and hard to source the school uniform will be. The more unusual it is, the more likely it'll be a pain in the arse. The best uniforms can be picked up cheaply in a supermarket. Grin

You will be annoyed with whatever school you get at some point. It's guaranteed. There will be incredibly short notice requests for intricate costumes and ridiculous 'fun' homework that involves trips to hobbycraft etc.

You will hate biff, chip and kipper.

Original poster
NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 09/05/2013 21:13

nextphase my mistake Grin It happened to me so presumed it was the same for all. You prove an excellent point for reading the fine print on admissions criteria.

I forgot another one, a wiser mum than me once said nothing is set in stone, you don't have to stay at a school that doesn't work for you. In fact, admissions other than reception year can be a lot easier.

It's very hard to type correctly on a phone....excuse my title error.

OP posts: