choosing a school.

[Liz79]

Hello
Dd is due to start reception next year & we have booked an appointment to look round the one we think we want her to go to. What are we looking for? What do we ask? Is it 3 choices we get? I believe we get all the applications bumph at the end of the month. How can I do some research on local schools, ofsted reports online?

You will get at least 3 choices, possibly more depending on the LA. Don't rely on them sending you the information. Make sure you get whatever you need. It should all be on their website by now, which should also include facilities for you to apply online.

Do look around several schools in your area and don't just dismiss ones based on ofsted or area. You will think of things as you go around to ask so you don't really need to specifically prepare a list of things. Your gut instinct will tell you a lot about what you are looking at and how your feel it will suit your child.

You also need to be realistic about which ones you stand a chance of getting into. It's no good getting all excited about one a mile away if the furthest it generally admits non-siblings in reception is 0.2 miles!

This data can normally be found in the admissions packs the LEAs make available on their websites.