School open day - what should I ask?

[cowsaysmoo]

Going for schools open days, we're trying to find a good school for my son, starting reception next September.

Any advice on what questions shall we ask?

Any advice generally?

Seems like such a responsible task to choose a right school!

Thank you!

How do they teach reading (should be phonics, should not be phonics supplemented with xxxx); how many usually pass the y1 phonics screening (should be pretty much everyone except SEN, beware any who say 'oh the best readers move beyond phonics which is why are pass rates aren't what they should be)

Differentiation for more able or less able, and SEN support.

Behaviour policy, dealing with bullying (beware any that say no bullying ever happens)

Communication with parents.

Is there an active PTA (if not, why not - are parents disengaged, does HT not encourage parental involvement)

Teaching on sex v gender. Whether they keep toilets properly single sex in juniors.

After school and lunchtime clubs.

Look for work on the walls, is it just that from the best kids or is there a range being celebrated.

Are the year 5 & 6 children like you would like yours to be.

Oh wow! Thank you! I wouldn't think of most of them!

Not all of these probably. But think what might be important to you.

Oh. before and After school care if relevant.

Homework policy.

"Behaviour policy, dealing with bullying (beware any that say no bullying ever happens)".

That's exactly what I was told in our local state primary.

It's not complicated - just go along and see if you like the feeling of it.

Eye contact from staff, are the children happy or not, are the teachers happy to asnwer questions, etc.

But I found it very easy and self-explanatory - the minute you've looked at a couple you'll realise how you feel about them.

Not sure if you were just commenting, or agreeing or disagreeing?

The reason I say beware is that bullying can happen in any school, it is how a school deals with it once they are aware that counts. if they deny it ever happens it gives the impression they brush it under the carpet or worse blame the victim.

How do they teach reading (should be phonics, should not be phonics supplemented with xxxx)

Sorry, maybe a stupid question, but what do you mean by this? What would it be supplemented by? We're in the same position as the OP.

School are meant to teach phonics as the basis of learning to read.

Studies have shown (no don't ask me to reference) that pure phonics statistically works better than mixed methods, ie more children learn to read properly when taught by phonics than with a mix.

As soon as a school 'supplements' their phonics teaching with e.g. 'look at the picture can you see what Biff is carrying (when trying to decode 'bat') that is mix methods. When a school says 'it starts with 'b' what might the word be' that is mixed methods. (No harm in enjoying the pictures but not for decoding).

If a school says 'oh our y1 screening results are low because good readers move 'beyond phonics' that is rubbish. Good readers use phonics to decode unfamiliar words (how else cn they read made up words in Dahl.)

Often y1/y2 children can appear to read well because they have memorised whole words they have been told how to say, but if they can't actually decode they come unstuck in juniors.

Yes, some children don't learn well with phonics, but you don't know which children that will be before they start.

@TeenDivided oh I see what you mean, thank you.

I listened to readers in yR for quite a few years. Sometimes a child would read a book perfectly, but when I opened a page at random hid the picture and pointed at a word they couldn't read it at all.

@TeenDivided Yes, I was agreeing with you.
I searched their website more thoroughly after the visit and found the policy.
I did not like that teachers simply denied that bullying ever happens in their school. Btw, the school got outstanding Ofsted.

Thank you all for your answers. Very helpful!

I'd also have a good look at what's on the display boards. Has the work/ art been done by the children themselves? Is everyone's work on display or just the ones that look good or are high achieving? Would give you a sense of whether every child is valued equally.

You do t especially have to ask anything. They will fill you in/tell you all about themselves as you walk around and you can see if you like the vibe, the children’s behaviour (eg not too quiet not too loud), the buildings, the grounds, the headteacher etc.