when is best to arrange visits?

[pinklemonade84]

Hi

Dd is due to start primary school next September and although I know it’s a way off, I would ideally like to be prepared and have my 3 schools in mind on the day that applications open. Just so that I know that I’ve done them and won’t be worrying as deadline day approaches.

We’ve currently got 4 possibilities that I want to arrange visits to so that I can get a feel for them.

School a) is our catchment area school, but was oversubscribed so some people obviously would obviously not get it as their choice. It has an outstanding ofsted rating and a lovely school ethos and our neighbour’s dd goes there and she has nothing but positive things to say.

School b) is slightly further away, but has an outstanding ofsted rating. The ethos was again something that I liked and looking at the reading and writing tables there wasn’t anything for concern. The published numbers said that there were a few spaces left after allocation last year.

School c) this one is rated good from ofsted. It’s purely for convenience as it is literally 2 minutes walk from the in laws’ house (more about that in a minute). There was nothing of concern on the reading/writing tables and there are very often plenty of spaces available.

School d) only really became a possibility today. It’s a lovely school in a small village about 5 minutes drive away. They have an outstanding rating, no concerns in numeracy/literacy. They seem to be undersubscribed and had 45 potential spaces last year and only 25 of them being filled. I like the idea that the classes will be small and it really is a lovely village

Now the in laws are really pushing us to go for school c. They think that if dd were to go there then they would be able to take her home for lunch each day (I really don’t want to do this as they wouldn’t feed her healthy food) and apparently we wouldn’t fit in at schools a and b because we aren’t posh enough

I want to visit all of these and get a real feel for them and I’m just trying to think when would be best? Or is it a case of whenever we can go. Are we allowed to consider schools slightly further away with more available spaces? Also, do we take dd with us and see how she feels about them? She’s our first, so I’ve got no clue what I’m doing

I’m so sorry for the essay, I didn’t realise I’d typed so much

For Sept 2020? Late summer/early Autumn term.

The schools should have open days - or evenings
Have you checked the websites?

You in-laws opinions don’t count - and DD will need to socialise at school during lunch

@GreenTulips that’s why we’re reluctant to put school c as an option because it’s just really not worth the hassle that we would get

I’ve been looking on the websites but there’s no information about open days. But I’ll keep checking in case that changes

I know it’s way in advance to be thinking about this sort of thing, but I know I’ll just worry if I don’t get the applications in as soon as I possibly can when they open for her

Don’t put C on the application

Is there anything in the LA websites

Open days will be September/October this year. The primary DD has just started at won't be interested before then as they are dealing with the 2019 intake currently.

The schools will probably set the dates for their open days, tours etc during sept 2019 - usually they are run between when applications open in october until they end in Jan, but each school has their own format. So you are probably a bit early

@grasspigeons definitely a bit early

Normally this would be the sort of thing that I would have asked my mum about if she was still alive. Then again, I don’t think she would have been able to offer advice as when we went to primary school, ours was the only one for 10 miles as we lived in the middle of nowhere in Wales

Being able to walk to school is such a bonus.

I'd ignore your ILs completely tbh- she will want and need lunchtime with her friends.

Far too early to look into seriously yet! Applications for this year haven't even closed yet. I'd try and get away from the mindset that you are going to do the application as soon as the window opens - there is nothing to be gained by doing so in terms of getting a place, and you might change your mind before the deadline! In any case that is the window when the schools are most likely to have tours/open mornings arranged.

Spend your time instead educating yourself exactly how the admissions process works, so you understand your chances of getting into each school and that you need to rank in order of true preference. Think about the other things that might be important - wrap around care?

Other posters are right that your in-laws argument is ridiculous. Kids just don't go home for lunch. May have been common once upon a time or in different countries, but not in the UK now.

Oh I absolutely get that it’s too early to be serious about anything just yet. I’m just trying to get an idea of which schools I want to arrange visits for

I’m one of those people that need to plan as much as I possibly can, it’s one of my more irritating qualities Also, my friends in the areas have started looking into their options too, so it’s hard not to get swept along with it all

@FraterculaArctica I’ll defini looking into those, thank you for the suggestions

Dh’s cousin used to go home from school at lunchtime to their grandparents’ and I think that’s where they’ve got the idea from. It won’t be happening though as it’s just not something that we want. We want dd to stay in school and socialise with her friends and that’s what will be happening

Our school does not even let pupils have home lunches so something to check. Also Remember she will get free lunches in ks1 so no need to go home at all. You said school c was 2 mins from your in laws. How far is it from your house as you may not even get a place if you are much further away. Personally school a sounds like the obvious choice - I certainly wouldn't pick a school because it is convenient to your in laws.

As to when to arrange visits - most schools hold open mornings in the autumn term before applications open (so for 2020 admissions this will be Oct/ nov 2019).

@Hersetta427 school c is about a 5 minute drive from us too. We only have school a that is really walkable, though from the information I can gather it was oversubscribed last year and the furthest distance they took was 1.2 miles away, we’re 0.6 miles away so I’m keeping everything crossed

Nothing wrong with ringing the schools now, if it makes you feel better, and ask whether they have open mornings, and when they are likely to be. Personally, I think I would favour the closest school just for ease of getting there and the likelihood of making local friends. I would not however consider the school closest to the ILs, as they sound like they could be trouble!
Again, if it helps, go to the schools' Summer Fayres (if they have them). It might give you an idea of the school ethos, and it would hopefully be a fun afternoon out for your DD rather than a fact finding mission!

Don't put C on the application, tell your ILs that you did, oh no, what a shame she didn't get in.

@MidniteScribbler we were thinking about doing that

As pp have said, it’s too early. Apart from school admin, schedules, dealing with the 2029 applications and intake, and staff changes your dd may well change interests/ develop in some areas etc abd the best school for her in a years time may not be the most suited to her now. She’s got a third of her life to live again!

For now, you could read the Ofstef/Estyn reports for the schools. Maybe Google them and see what the local papers say? Obviously take this with a pinch of salt. Do you go to parent/child groups local to any of them- do you know people with children there already? What’s the local vibe and is it recent? Which high schools do they feed - does they influence your decision?

Practicalities - a school that is walkable in s few mins will be a Godsend at 8.30 on a winter Monday morning when you’ve all overslept! And for parents meetings, school discos, concerts and the 101 reasons you end up going into school when it’s not school time. Local friends are also useful. Age 10, DS can walk to his friends house in our village by himself, but not those in other villages.

Lastly - it’s not your PILs decision!

I agree with a lot of what the others have said. I would definitely put the closest school first and I wouldn’t be happy about in laws picking up for lunch but you just say no to that. I would put school c down as third choice and don’t underestimate the value of having someone who can pick your dd up from school in an emergency