September 2016 Starters

[AnnoyedByAlfieBear]

Ds will be starting school next year so we will be applying later this year.

Are school visits generally arranged after applications have opened or before? Ie between October/November and January or earlier?

Thanks!

We visited in Oct/November. I applied in Sept as soon as I could because I'd panic and forget but you can change it up to the deadline.

Have got a Sept 16 starter. I'm guessing I don't need a visit as I have an older child at the school!

Unless something good goes drastically wrong I think you can assume your dc2 will get a place!

We have a good village school a 2 min walk away so we're about 90% sure to get a place there but I want back ups!

Goes wrong, not good!

Normally in Autumn term. Every school is different

Sounds much like mine! Ours is a big creative school with lots going on all the time ????

The school's we considered with official open days for prospective parents had those in the first half of the autumn term. Some of the schools had no official open days, but they were happy to let us make an appointment to visit for an individual look at the school.

Are there any really "good" questions we should ask at school visits?

I think school (and nursery) visits are a bit like house viewings - less about the facts and more about the feel. Look at how the children react to the staff: with confidence or trepidation?

Don't be the arse that loudly asks about the provision for very bright children in front of a large group

Aargh MrsH, I think we may need to ask something along those lines. There is no way of asking it without sounding like a deluded prat is there?
We're almost certainly just going with DS school, but that was more a where there was a place when we moved decision, so having a look around too. I also want to quiz them about their phonics provision, the lack of scheme books coming home in year 1 is making me nervous.

- if you must, but that question really ought to be asked in private!

Yeah, maybe not in the open q&a but private hasn't really happened at any open days I've been to. And I'll sound even more mad if I ask for a private meeting about my (ahem) advanced daughter up front won't I. Maybe if I wear dark glasses and a wig?

Then you ask about differentiation more generally and/or what their SATs results tend to be and what targets they tend to set. The answers to those ought to be useful to the whole group.