School in special measures or one I haven't visited

[drivingmisspotty]

Wonder if you guys could help me mull this over. I am just applying for reception for dd. Two faith schools are top of our list. Then it looks like we are in catchment for 2 state schools.

a. Is where dd is at nursery. Early years lovely (and recognised by ofsted as good to outstanding) but school has just been put in special measures for not pushing kids enough. Speaking to staff they have a new head and extra support but aren'taccepting any responsibility for result - blame a difficult intake and a lot of kids moving in and out. Undersubscribed last year.

b. Has good ofsted but last inspected 2010. I missed the tour (ill baby) so haven't managed to look and 'go with gut'. Have called thema few times to see if I can arrange a tour but they keep saying they will call back and never do which doesn't give me best impression although I understand that admissions mAy not be

...their top priority.

sorry that is long. Anyone have any thoughts?

The fact that they have not had an Ofsted since 2010 is good news as it should mean that their Ofsted was good or at least satisfactory. Ofsted usually only inspect schools on a 4 year cycle and if they go back earlier than that it usually means there are issues. The fact that they are not responding to your phone calls is not so good. I would pop in to the school office and speak to them face to face about asking if you can come in for a tour, explaining why you missed the last one. You can read the school's last Ofsted report by googling Ofsted and then typing in the schools name and location. Hope this is of some help.

visit both the decide. Keep ringing

Thanks guys. I have kept ringing and on Friday had a chat to secretary who answered some of my questions and passed me to one of the reception teachers who was passing by. I feel a bit better about it now and having visited every other school in a five mile radius am starting to think they are all pretty good so the one I haven't visitwd probably is too. I will probably retain the special measures one as sixth choice if only because the whole borough is oversubscribed and it would be preferable to being sent to a rubbish school miles away.

Thanks Lisa. I think you are probably right. I think it is partly that I know the foundation stage staff and feel a bit of loyalty to them that is making me dither, plus dd is settled there. But then I read the ofsted that says something like 'this school does not provide the minimum standard of adequate education and has shown no evidence that it can improve' and I think am I nuts for even considering it?