How do you pick a good school? What questions did you ask?

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In short, we're not happy with DS1's school. Lots and lots of small and big issues with both the school and the local area demographic which have added up to us looking at moving house to get him into a 'better' school (in terms of Ofsted and his happiness). I feel awful about making the wrong choice and now having to uproot him, but I figure of we know we've got to do it, the sooner the better

Obviously we're limited by schools with spaces in reception (or yr 1 if we stay put till next summer, not sure if there's any benefit in that), but we have can move more or less anywhere in east Devon, so I'm sure we'll find a few.

However, given that I clearly chose so badly first time round, help me work out how to choose a good school for him this time! What sorts of questions should I ask/things should I be looking for when I look at new schools?

His current school has been turned into an academy after being put into special measures, but I was 'fooled' by all the hype about the investments being made and new teachers, new head etc, but it just isn't living up to expectations, so teach me what to look for, please! I feel so awful for failing DS1 and really want to get it right this time, as there's no way I can uproot him again without good reason!

Sure you'll get much better help from local folk, but just kicking off with a good word for Heathcoats Primary in Tiverton. Got relatives (and their DCs) there who are v happy with it. Can sympathise with your predicament as we're planning to move DS in Y1, but we're switching to private so the distinctions between the schools are clearer (although there are never guarantees and always some issues, I know). Good luck!

Mind you, you'd probably want to move somewhere where you'd have primary and secondary sorted so there's probably better areas for that.

Try and get some recommendations from parents, visit the school get a feel for things. IMO If there is a good HT and an established teaching team in place it is a good start. Our primary was great but has gone downhill after our HT left and several staff changes and we had no way of predicting this. There are no guarantees unless you go private I'm afraid.

I went with looking round and looking at the children (do they look happy, settled and interested in what they are doing?) looking at the work on the walls (does it look like the children enjoyed the work and tried hard?) and seeing what the teachers were like. What questions to ask depends on what's important to you and your dc, I asked about music and creative oportunities and asked the teacher to run through what they were covering that week, what impressed me was the amount of variety and the interesting ways the teacher had thought up to link all the different subjects together and to make it fun.

shebird there are no guarantees even if you go private, DDs private school is amazing but one of the ones I looked at was horrible despite having had a fantastic reputation a few years ago

ask about staff turnover, clubs etc. I would go and look around too. go with your gut. I'm a teacher and chose the school with the not as good Ofsted as it felt right for my child. Ofsted has so many flaws don't let that be your only guide. teachers in special measures schools have to be so strong and good as pressure is immense.

Thanks for the opinions. The school which would be best location wise has just been given a 'needs improvement' having been satisfactory with some good aspects at the last inspection a few years ago.

I am writing a long list of things to consider when I start looking round tomorrow - have four potential schools to look at this week.