What should I look for when choosing a school?

[Letie]

I am looking at primary schools for my daughter and am going to be going to some open days. Has anyone got any tips on what I should be looking for or good questions to ask which will give me a realistic insight into what the schools are really like?

I agree with all the sensible suggestions about what to ask, but I do think that distance is really important. We walk to school. It is lovely being able to walk, meet up with others on the way (and it is really only round the corner) take scooter or bike, ds now walks home after clubs, easy to go up and down when one has clubs and the other doesn't. Easy to arrange playdates with local kids. We are part of the community.

Also, schools can be good but a bit dull. I went round about 10 schools as we were looking for houses. I realised I was judging a school by how much funky art work was dangling from the ceiling, and if the person taking me round was talking to passing kids. It had a bit of umph and looked fun.

New buildings are nice, but we ended up in a school in fairly cramped old buildings that has a great buzz.

Go and visit 3 or 4 schools, you should see a difference and that will help you see what you like.

Oh and I so agree with what someone said earlier about being shown round by kids. One lovely school sent us round with the head boy and girl. They were NOT the goodie goodies, but 2 kids with loads of character who told us all about the school. I really liked that school, for trusting their kids, and not minding if they were honest because they had nothing to hide.

My friend has just started teaching in a school under Ofsted special measures. She says it is a lovely school and would switch her dd there at the drop of a hat.

Hi ladies. Not a good start for Tsonga. They will both be knackered if they have many more rallies like that one. Didn't see any of the Rog/Novak match, but it was the right result!

useless - take the ticket and then give it to me

Goran's been hitting the brylcream a bit too hard

Oops, pardon me! Wrong thread

Are the parents at the school nice? would you be happy to send your kids back for play dates? Would you feel they are safe?

Are people nice? What is the ethos of the school? how do they support special needs/deal with bullies etc

I'd consider ofstead, academic performance, word of mouth etc but gut instinct would come above everything.

Travel, transport costs, time walking etc. Ideally it is nice to have school friends locally but also it's worth traveling for a good school.

Steppemum - Distance is definitely relevant. I've been agonising over the distance point on another thread here (with apologies for the typo in the thread title)

High staff turnover
Lot of staff with children at the school
the proprtion of children who leave at 11 unbale to read
The age of the staff (a good school has a good mix of experince in their staff)
I think the academic side is more important in high schools

Also i think a feild is essential or grass area I am in london and my childs school had a huge feild the high school luckly backs on to a massive common.

Good pastrol care