What does the perfect school look like to you?

[theclassroom]

Hi Mumsnet,

I currently work in education and it’s my life’s goal to found a school, and there is so much I could say about the vision I have for it, but I’m looking for opinions on what makes the ideal school for you (and your child).

Feel free to share whatever comes to mind, but here are some examples of what I’m looking for:

What initially spoke to you about the school you chose for your child?

What would be a dealbreaker for you in deciding on a school?

When you were in education what did you like and dislike about the schools you attended? (This could be in general or specifics like rules, amenities, teachers, culture.)

What do you like and dislike about the schools your children have attended?

Would you prefer an independent, private or state school and why?

What have been issues within school for your children? Especially those that act as a barrier to their education. How did the school handle it?

Opinions on types of schools such as Montessori, language immersion, forest etc?

Feel free to ignore all of the questions, or just answer one, I’m just looking for anything I might not have considered and to hear about choosing schools from a parent's perspective. No worries if you’re talking about primary, secondary or even further education.

So the school would be private?

Because my “perfect” state school is different to my “perfect” private school whilst obviously sharing many threads

Mine have been in both
and I prefer Iindependent
but that’s fairly obvious as otherwise I wouldn’t have selected independent

1. Safe & friendly
2. Well qualified, non-stressed subject-expert teachers
3. Small class sizes <20
4. Good facilities - science labs, tennis courts, computers, decent library
5. Nice school food

My ds is at a small independent where this is true. Not very trendy or terribly smart. Not academically selective but strong ethos of developing the whole person. . A healthy mix of professional, farming, army and international families. A few like me, scraping the fees together by the seat of my pants. Good pastoral care too.

It would be private yes, and likely not even in the uk, but I think any thoughts you have will be valuable :)

Love these thanks for the contribution, I think small class size is such an important one.

I'm a teacher. It's difficult to say what one's ideal state school would be like, because many of the things you might want would not be fundable.

I currently teach in a school that's probably as close to ideal (for its pupils and staff) as state schools can get. Excellent behaviour, great attainment, most of the kids and staff genuinely think highly of the school and are glad they go there. Loads and loads of extra-curricular opportunities. Well-qualified and enthusiastic teachers, fairly low staff turnover and little trouble recruiting. Workload is a nightmare, but that's pretty universal in teaching. My school is a girls' grammar school in a normal, not very wealthy town in northern England and has a culturally and socially diverse intake.

I would avoid schools with poor behaviour and without sufficient qualified teachers. I'd also avoid ones with Michaela-style discipline regimes.

One where the adults who work there are actually in charge. Because they need to be.

ok so an international school or a “normal” private school in another country?

Obviously poor results are one to watch for but not the only thing. For me red flags are bullying, high staff turnover, a headteacher that is never seen, school motto or ethos that has no mention of compassion/kindness/generosity/service just tradition or excellence, poor or no pastoral care, rigid rules and regulations with no flexibility for individual needs, too much emphasis on sports and similar "in crowd" type activities, disorderly behaviour at home time (stand outside one day and watch). These suggest that the atmosphere will not be one that nurtures children and seeks the best in everyone. It will either be highly competitive and compassionless where the more vulnerable children will fail or everyone has given up and it will be a bear pit.
Good schools have a present and accountable SLT, lots of support for pupils, firm but fair and compassionate rules and discipline and do not encourage oneupmanship. There is minimal bullying (I don't think it can ever be 100% eradicated unfortunately) and generally good behaviour because the place runs on mutual respect and modelling of decent behaviour rather than as a boot camp. Go at home time and you will see an orderly exit with engaged staff seeing the children out. Staff want to stay because it is a pleasant place to be so there are not constant ads out for new people to work there. Pupils will achieve the best they can because they have been happy and encouraged.

@Rogerthat14 So many posts and you haven't even answered a single one of the OP's questions. Pointless!

@theclassroom I would be looking for a nurturing, academic and diverse school for my DC. A school where no child is left behind and each one is truly valued as an individual.

We have just chosen a secondary school abroad for our daughter starting after Christmas as we relocate. Private, yes, but in some countries this does not mean an unreasonable high out-of-pocket payment.We have chosen a Roman Catholic Secondary school. It is close to our Christian values and it respects all childrens' religion. Highlights are well-behaved students, good anti-bullying policy, classes of 22 students, reasonable academic level and well-trained teachers.We wanted a local state school but the experience of visiting a couple of them has been vile.I am not sure a perfect school exists but this one is the best option for our daughter.

Because the answers determine my answers

Teachers known by first names
No homework.
The whole school is pretty open plan and almost like an art studio. No traditional desks and blackboards etc.
Really nice food! A catering department that teaches the students to cook so some of the food is created by the kids.
Lots of democracy so he kids get to choose things about the school and how it's run. Within reason!
Children feel free to talk to teachers and all other kids as equals.
Mixed age classes so kids stay on same class for two years.
Lots of outdoor education trips to the countryside. Staying in tents or chalets and learning about nature.
Really state of the art IT, art, media production and drama facilities.
A real mix of backgrounds of students, from different walks of life.
Zero tolerance for sexism, racism, prejudice.
Lots of extra curricular activities including niche sports.
Excellent facilities and teaching for SEND.
No uniform.

So much of this would make me run for the hills

do you have children @DiscoBob ?

One where parents support the school instead of thinking that teachers are babysitters, whose job it is to bring up their kids and blaming the teachers for all their feral kids.. parents who teach their kids manners, respect and responsibility. Yes I am an ex teacher who was worn down with horrible parents and their kids

Not bio ones. But that's exactly what I'd want from a school! Maybe it's a bit of a fantasy some if it.

So step children?

Would you want this for them?

Yes I would. It's just like the school I went to. Primary school. It wouldn't work so well for secondary.

You don't have to agree with the things I think are important.

I think my kids are in the perfect school for them (private high school - nonUK)

• 15 kids max per class;
• Focus on effort and not just academics;
• Wrap around after school clubs/subject clinics;
• School philosophy of pupil led teaching, adapting to each child’s individual strengths/weaknesses
• pastoral care is exceptional
• Teachers all adore their jobs
• my kids feel cared for, supported and encouraged.

I went to an all girls grammar school that was very much focused on academics and STEM which was great but I was very arty, creative and musical. I didn’t feel supported and was ecstatic to leave. I just want my kids to leave school feeling like they had a brilliant experience and were well supported in their education.

I was simply asking whether you would want this for your own children

• high academic expectations re effort and moderately selective
• high expectations around behaviour and consistent consequences/ boundaries
• comfort zones continually challenged- students encouraged to “get comfortable with being uncomfortable”
• strong team sport offerings with regular matches
• At least 100 students per year ( secondary), ideally a bit bigger.
• spacious green campus

Is that a realistic aim in today’s economic climate? I thought it was increasingly Dukes Education, Nord Anglia etc. behind private schools i.e. deep private equity pockets.

A normal private/independent school in a different country, probably with a focus on languages or language immersion element.