Going to look at independent school

[Sallyssss]

What should I be looking at/for? Are there any questions I should ask? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Gut feeling is what matters. Is it a happy, cheerful, polite, friendly atmosphere? Would your DC be happy there?

Gut instinct has played a major part in all our school choices (all independent). Along with that, we looked very carefully at the older children. Do they seem kind, thoughtful, polite? Do they speak to adults clearly and not mumble into their fringes? Do they seem to have a happy, friendly, respectful relationship with their teachers? Do they manage to get through a sentence without using the word 'like'? Most small children are quite nice, so the older children tell you far more about any school. Happy hunting.

I'd agree with all of the above, plus one thing that really struck me with the school I chose for mine was that wall displays of children's work weren't all perfect or cherrypicking the best - everyone's work was 'worth' showing. Just a small thing but gave an insight into the ethos of the school, I felt.

If the head shows you around, see if they greet children by name and seem to actually know them too.

Yes, I'd agree with both those, Jennycomelately.

Looking at the older pupils made me think, I'd love my sons to grow up to be like you!

You could ask the head the following,

What made you decide to work here?

Have you made any changes? If so which ones are you most proud of?

What future plans do you have for the school?

Make sure you talk to the children when you visit the classrooms, look at their work and ask what they have been doing - don't be worried about disturbing the children. They are used to inspectors and visitors speaking to them. You could check that this is OK with the head before you start looking round, being a teacher myself I just chatted to them!

Enjoy your visit!

Just a word of warning about head teachers know all the names of the children. We're probably talking about schools with no more than 500 children in at the very,very most. Knowing all thier names in this context is not impressive. Having said that, if a head teacher didn't know all the names then I'd run a mile! If a head in a large comp consisting of 1,500 children knew all the names then that would be impressive!

I told the head when we arrived at the school that we weren't really interested in amazing facilities, we just wanted to know about the children and the teaching and learning. I think this helped us to get through the veneer of good looks and down what really mattered.

Depends what's important for you -

if music, ensure you see the music facilities, when in classroom of the appropriate year group for your dc, ask the students how many of them have music lessons at school.

if sport, ensure you see the sport facilities, ask the students what sports they like to do.

talk to the students, every independent school I've looked around has encouraged this. ask what they like about school. Hopefully you will get answers like 'i like lunch' - good to know they will have a good meal during the day. 'i like breaktimes we get to do xxx' - good to know there is downtime and opportunity to recharge for breaks. 'i like maths' - good to know they are engaging in the academic.

if wrap around care important, find out what goes on after school hours, how long for, and importantly how many of the children stay on for it.

HTH

Another thing agreeing with older children - if important to you, it is to me and know it's not to everyone, as you wander round see how the uniform is being worn. To me uniform should be worn correctly, if students aren't picked up on ties halfway down their fronts, collar buttons undone, jumpers off shoulders etc, that's not what I like.

However, if you are more care free than me, and would prefer the kids are in a more relaxed look, then again ensure the school matches your views.

Can you add any more details, sally? Age range, single sex/mixed, selective/non-selective, size, special focus?

Ideally I would like mixed as we have a girl and boy. The problem is my daughter loves arts and music, my son is super energetic and needs exercise/sports. So I guess I am looking for an all round school, which may lead us to seperate schools for them, but I am hoping not.

I guess most importantly I want a nurturing school, I am not overly fussed about them being so acedemic, just a kind school. If that makes sense!

Thank you all for your replies. I will ask the older kids - thats a great suggestion.

Having been through the system, I would want to know:

1. The numbers going on to Oxbridge
2. Where the focus of the school is academic, art, music sport etc...
3. How well the older pupils come across, this will give a fair reflection of what your child may turn out like.
4. What their pupils go on to do beyond university; are they successful? Part of the value of independent schools is the network that comes with it that can help to make the less intelligent and talented among us successful.

Having read through your last reply perhaps Sherborne and Sherborne Girls would be appropriate. Two independent schools that do some activities together. Although most good mixed independent schools should be good at both sport and music.