How do you talk to parents of children already at a school to find out what it's like?

[Beana]

We've just heard that our DD has got into the reception class of St Stephen's C of E school in lewisham. I thought it seemed very good when I went to visit and the ofsted/stats are good but we've only just moved into the area and we don't know anybody who has children there. Is there any way of finding out more about it? Does anyone out there have children there? I've spent hours researching schools and still don't really feel like I have a clue. Any advice gratefully received x

make an appointment with the head and take look at the school. find out if they can give you a tour (even better if the kids can do so - you can ask them questions that way.). Go take a look at the school at home time and chat with some of the other parents..good luck!

ooh sorry, just read your post, and you've already been to visit the school ...next time I;ll ready properly before posting responsE!!

Go to play just after school finish time at the playground nearest to school, spot the uniform, match child in uniform to hanging about adult, approach parent ( or childminder or grandad) asking if their little one goes to X school, take it from there.

go onto the school website and see if there are any PTFA events coming up (Spring Fair perhaps) that you could go along to