Questions to ask local primary schools when visiting

[ScoutFinchMockingbird]

Am in the process of visiting the 3 local primary schools with a view to DD starting reception in Sept 2015. Applications start in Nov in our area, so trying to be organised.
What questions should I ask? So far I've thought of how they communicate with parents about progress, especially as DD will be in after school care 3 days a week, so catching the teacher will be rare.
All thoughts welcome.

Settings, streaming or mixed abilities? My dcs are summer babies that s one of the reasons I would much prefer mixed abilities approach. If you re confident that you DC can get into top set then it may matter less. Do they give an overview of subject topics termly? How does the school commucate with parents in general apart from parents evenings? Number of TAs and specialist TAs? Do they do booster groups in year 6? Question to yourself how do you feel about the HT?

You might want to have a good look at what happens in the upper years - not just in Reception. Time flies once they are at school! Are there an unusually high number of leavers/joiners? If lots of children leave at yr 2/3 to go private it can affect friendship groups etc. How are they assessing the children now that NC Levels have disappeared? If children need extra help, how is that handled? How do they deal with behaviour issues? Or bullying? If you see some facilities or resources that you really like, ask how often the kids get to use them. Are there any playground rules about what the children are allowed to do or to play?

OP, I think you will not need to speak to the teacher daily anyway. Just imagine if every parent tried to do this? I agree regular communication is great and lots of schools do this through the reading diary or other notebook. There is always email.

I would also look for confident, friendly children in the schools. I assume you are going on a working day and not just an open day that is staged. See how the teachers interact with the children. Look at the work on the walls, both written and artwork. Ask the children what they like about the school. What would they change if they could?

I never asked about bullying. I think this is always a very negative approach where young children are concerned and it is also fairly rare. What sort of parents go to the schools? Where would you most fit in? Do the schools have good libraries and are there interesting activities in the school such as recorder groups, open days, parents invited to assemblies, Christmas play etc? What expectations do the Headteacher's have and what is the ethos like in the schools? Above all, you need to try and assess the quality of teaching and learning that goes on in each school. If they are not good at that - the key reason for your child being there - then look somewhere else.

Thanks all. That's really helpful.

Long way ahead, but also see if the school is a feeder for a local secondary school - ie do the pupils get automatic places anywhere. If not where do most pupils go.
Have a look at the school web site before you go - they should give you a good idea about what goes on at the school, the school policies on different issues, recent newsletters etc.

MIL always said that checking toilets and lunch menu will tell you everything you need to know about a school.