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?

Ttbb in a state school, teacher to student ratios will largely be governed by disadvantage. The only additional source of funding that pulls in enough money to fund additional teachers is widespread Pupil Premium.

Schools in London in particular have historically been much better funded, to the tune of money that could really improve the teacher: pupil ratio, but the 'fairer funding formula' is going to eradicate quite a bit of that too.

In the current climate, you will be lucky to find anywhere much over 1:30.

Norestformrz I don't know what is the most important thing to me in a school, other than that DD is happy, supported to make friends, and has a good grounding in the basics before she moves up to secondary. My own primary experience was fairly shit and the schools all seem light years from mine - even having outside play equipment seems pretty amazing!

Aside from the obvious progress scores and SATS attainment...

Teachers who stay there a good while (but not forever - you need a mix of old hands and fresh blood)

Outside space

After school / breakfast club provision

Religion / lack of

Food and catering arrangements

Library

My ds1 has speech and language difficulties and I spoke to the Senco at the local schools to get a feel for their knowledge and what they offered. I chose the school where the children seemed happy, purposeful and calm and where I felt I could work with the Senco. It also helped that there was good wraparound care and I could walk to the school. However one local school with outstanding results I would not have chosen as I was not impressed by their attitude to sen and the lack of play in reception.

Norestformrz I don't know what is the most important thing to me in a school, other than that DD is happy, supported to make friends

This is pretty much the problem, if the things you want are primarily, indeed almost solely dependent on the relationship between your child and their teacher and peers. It's pretty much impossible to judge that from an open day or anything else, as you won't know either until they start, and the teachers at 4 will be completely different by 10.

As will of course your own child, and what they might want, need or enjoy even if you know for certain what they wanted or needed.

Certainly though if you have more obvious known needs - like support for a particular SEN - then it's easier.