Questions to ask when looking around a primary school

[irisblue]

Hello,

We are just starting this process and I was wondering if anyone has any tips on what to ask (and what would be a good reply) when looking around a school. I know the feel of it counts for a lot, but would be great to have other pointers.

Also, I went to see a school last week (new head, only been there for a few weeks), but a couple of things bothered me. I asked her what they'd do if there was bullying and she just brushed over it and said 'it doesn't happen here, you might get squabbles, but it's not a primary school thing' - is that true? Am I just being paranoid?

And, I asked her whether they did Level 6 tests (someone told me to ask that, don't really know about them) and she said that by the time my DS got to that level it would have all changed anyway - sort of brushed it off again.

Should I be worried about that? Or is she just being truthful?

Thanks in advance!

Truthful about SATs. I can't even tell my y11 students what to expect in the exams they'll be taking next summer.

I would be concerned about the bullying thing. No school has not had any bullying.

I also asked about how they treated gifted children and those with SEN. I think how they treat the whole spectrum of abilities says a lot.

Also, because it mattered to me, I looked out for 'Boys are X' type comments. My child is a person, not a gender box.

State schools HAVE to do SATS. She's right that it will have changed by the time you get to that point though - the school will have to do what the givernment dictates, just like now.

In terms of bullying - serious, sustained violence or aggression is imo rare in primary but one off nasty little incidents are not and the school should have a good policy. Tbh an answer of 'we don't have that problem' which is what you got isn't the best answer ebcause all schools do or can have. You shouldn't be asking IF they have bullying, you're asking what happens about it - and remember you want to know this because your child could be the bully not just the victim.

We only looked at one primary and knew straight away it was the creative, comfortable place for our daughter. Your gut feeling is important. I would say look at what's on the walls. Is it exciting stuff which different children have interpreted differently or is it 30 copies of the same thing?

Personally I would also prioritise a school which DOES NOT have a uniform but I know that's a controversial view. Our school doesn't have one and I love that.

There is literally no school near me that doesn't have a uniform. I think that that is true in a lot of areas.

I think it is true and it's such a shame.

I actually don't mind uniforms. But I know some people don't like them and, like so many aspects of education, it is a shame people don't have options

I would be worried about the answer you got about bullying because what that actually says to me is either 'oh we don't bother dealing with it' or 'yeah we have a massive problem and nothing we try works'. Even if that school has the nicest students on earth they will have had some bullying at some point and should have a plan of how to deal with it!

I agree with northernlurker about looking at what's on the walls, does it look interesting and like the children have had fun doing their work and had some support or does it look like they've all been given the same worksheet and left to it.

I would ask what the reception class had been doing that week, part of what made me choose DDs school was how exciting the work they were doing sounded and how well the teacher explained what each bit was meant to teach them (also that one of the activities she described 'as probably not really teaching much but great fun')

Other than that I would ask what special needs support and/or provision for stretching children they have if either of those are likely to be relevant to your child. What facilities they have and what sports, musical or creative activities they do if any of those are important to you, what extra-curricular activities they offer and what rewards/disciline policies thay have.

Go with your gut feel. When you are shown into a classroom, do the teachers smile and say hello? Do they come over and say hello? Or get a pupil to talk to you about what they're doing?

Does it seem happy? Is there a buzz of interesting learning going on? Are the children actively engaged?

The bullying Q is a good one - a school should be able to tell about their pro-active methods to stop it and deal with it.

How inclusive are they of children with different needs? Not just 'SEN' but different home languages, talents and skills too.

Is the Head interested in your DC and your family? Do they want to know what makes your child tick?

I've worked in a school where the secretary showed people round in about 10 mins. I've worked in a school where the Head spends up to 2 hours with a prospective family. I know which I'd choose for my DCs.

Thanks so much. This is really helpful - especially the bit about looking what's on the walls and what the children have been doing. The last time I was in a primary school was when I was at one, so this feels like a whole new world!

The bullying 'brushover' did worry me a little. It did seem like a sweet little school except for a couple of things. And it was the head who showed us around. I will go to another open day armed with these questions - thank you!

I actually quite like the uniform thing. My son is a nightmare to get dressed the morning as all he wants to wear is shorts (in October!) and his favourite top. It is a huge battle to get him into anything else. At least if there's a uniform we/he won't have a choice!

Also, I went to see a school last week (new head, only been there for a few weeks), but a couple of things bothered me. I asked her what they'd do if there was bullying and she just brushed over it and said 'it doesn't happen here, you might get squabbles, but it's not a primary school thing' - is that true? Am I just being paranoid?

I would be tempted to reject any school where the head said that.

I would want a head to say something more like "ah well when we've had trouble in the past we've done this, this and this, and it's generally gone away. Mrs A runs our anti-bullying projects, would you like me to see if she's free? Otherwise I can send you a copy of our bullying policy if it would be of interest?"

I always think the way a Head answers questions is much more telling than what is actually said.

The attitude to bullying would worry me. OK, bullying in primary might not be quite the same as bullying in secondary but there can be things that will upset your child a lot (that could be construed as bullying) and if it is not taken seriously then your child may not want to go to school.

Brushing off the level 6 thing strikes me as odd too. Yes, things will have changed by the time your child gets through, but what you were trying to guage, was how academic the school was, and a Head proud of the academic record of the school would surely give you the current results. A good percentage of level 6s shows a school really stretching the highest achievers to reach their full potential.

If she is saying that there is no bullying, then I would ask her how persistent disputes/personality clashes between children are resolved. If she tells you there are never any of those, that would be something I would be concerned about. Bullying is a very serious issue, but it sounds like she might have her own issue with the use of the word to describe some of the negative but more general aspects of children's interactions. So, take the word out of the question and see what their policies and methods for managing confrontational behaviour between children are.

In terms of other questions to ask, one is whether or not PE gets abandoned as soon as it is SATS time, and how and how long children are drilled for the exams. Even if things have changed by the time your child gets there, it gives you an idea as to the schools ethos and approach to education vs. SATs (and in fairness to the school, it is a brave school that focuses more on education than SATs - my daughters school very sadly doesn't).

I would ask them how they help children who fall behind or exceed the levels of their peers (Gifted) . Ideally they would be able to provide suitable work for their level. These are things I would be asking about as lots of children fall behind or even switch off due to boredom.

The bullying issue is definately one I would be concerned about. All schools will have a policy on bullying and even if it doesnt escalate to full scale bullying they should be able to demonstrate to you that it is taken seriously and they deal with it effectively no matter how small or trivial it may seem.

If your child particularly likes a subject such as art then make sure theres evidence that its something they will be able to participate in. My children love sports and their school has some brilliant after school clubs, this year they have both signed up for fencing as well as the usual athletics, netball and rugby.

If you want to take an active part in your childs schooling then ask if there are oportunities for parents to help out with things like reading/art classes, PTFA and any upcoming vacancies as a governor.

As I said the other day - ask them how they deal with soiling and wetting. A very revealing question.

Good point Herb. Our school explicitly talked about that during the Reception parents' induction meeting, in a very matter-of-fact "we find that many children, even those who have been dry for years..." kind of way.