What is the most important thing(s) to look for in a primary school?

[OuchBollocks]

We are looking at schools for DD and have a few apparently decent options around us. Obviously each one has their pros and cons. Just wondering what other people's must haves and deal breakers are?

The shortest possible travel distance.

:) we are choosing mainly between one 5 minutes on foot and one 8 minutes on foot, 12 minutes a day won't be a problem.

Personally I wouldn’t go for a very small school (eg one with mixed year classes) or a very large school. My DC’s school is approx 220 which feels perfect to me. I agree with Miaow that the ‘feel’ of a school can be a good indicator.

Also worth considering secondary admissions. Are they feeders for different secondary schools?

Whether the teachers seem happy. Happy teachers are well supported, good teachers who stay in their jobs.

Lowdoorinthewal1, I think it's quite difficult to see from parents' pov, since they act like they are at open days etc, aren't they? How can new parents to be able to determine if the teachers are genuinely happy or they are just faking it for the sake of it ?

For me, same as sirfred, nearest is the easiest.

Plenty of outdoor space, that the children are encouraged to use.
Happy teachers.
A ‘hands-on’ head teacher who is visible and accessible to the children, not one who rules from the comfort of their office.

All things being equal; food and bathrooms...

First of all- are you likely to get in?

(see the thread in AIBU about siblings taking up all spaces)

Irvine not that we did but checking the school web site should give you information about the churn of teachers, whether they run lunchtime clubs, etc. Might give an indication of how happy they are.

Umm, tbh, ime, it's very difficult to see. Who I thought were great teachers for my ds left school, and I don't know why. They went above and beyond for him. They were very passionate and encouraging.
Now all the teachers(mostly new) seems to be very happy and smiling. But no one seems to be doing what they did, and I am not happy, and ds is ok, but can see the difference in teacher's enthusiasm. So, happy teachers does not always equal to great school.

Obviously with 5 and 8 then as you say it doesn't really matter so much - but with such an option isn't it more obvious and something significant that makes the decision. Our closest two schools are a single form entry religious school and a two form entry non-religious, and if they were the other way around (2 and 4 minutes away) I would've actually walked further to the two form and the non-religious aspect, but would I have walked 15 minutes for those things? Would've been a different question.

So is there not something obvious and significant difference between the two - religion being the most obvious - when schools are that close together?

Happy teachers may not equate to a great school, but I am pretty certain that unhappy teachers will never equate to a great school.

One is an older CofE school. Decent SATs, apparently very nurturing, works very hard at community stuff. The other is a new-ish non religious school, amazing SATs and extra curriculars, local reputation for being very strict, and there was nothing at all about SEN etc during the school open morning (DD has complicated speech/language issues). I don't mind a religious school, we're RC and I went to Catholic schools. Both have good outdoor space. Haven't been to the other school's open day yet, just pondering after this morning.

How your dd reacts during the open days. Mine loved one school in particular - it was the third we had visited. We also preferred the feel and layout of the school. Luckily she got in as it was a low intake year and she is loving it.

Oh and both schools are quite large for primary schools with 2 form entry and feed into the same secondary schools as far as I'm aware. Neither is especially ethnically diverse due to the area we live in.

If your DD has speech and language issues it sounds like the ‘nurturing’ school might be right for her?

If your dc have specific needs, I wouldn't just go for "apparently".
It's better to speak to school and find out what each school actually do/willing to do in daily school life to help her. Amazing SATs does not always equates to good teaching either. They maybe simply focusing on sats practice in upper ks2.

Irvineoneohone has your answer. If your DD has issues/needs, you need to go for a personal visit to each school. Meet as many teachers as you can and also the SENCO and talk specifically about what the school can do for your DD. Do you know parents at either school? If so, talk to them about their experiences.

I also agree that SATs results are not the most important thing.

And another vote for 2 or 3 form entry. Don't be swayed by that 'small school' line. As my DDs move through our tiny, one form entry (not always full!), I see that a 2 or 3 form entry makes many things easier, including (especially?!) staffing, in a school. Now that DD is in yr6 there are only 10 girls in her year! She is friends with most of them but has no 'best' friend.

Definitely make an appointment to go speak to them about SEN and look for evidence. Don't just take what they say. And do some research online 're their SEN.

Admission criteria
After school /breakfast club care
Travel time to get there
HT and their leadership style
Results
Ofsted

My child has speech and language difficulties. She goes to a small school who are very nurturing, she's the sort of child who may get overlooked in a large school. We didn't send her to the local school I drive 10 mins a day it's worth it. I also think it's important to send a child to the nicest area, parents generally value education more and kids are better behave.

What is the most important things you want in a primary school? Look for that/those.

Teacher to student ratios.