Things to ask/look for when looking round schools?

[Dottydoodoo]

My DS will be starting school next September we have got visits lined up to most of the primary schools in our area but they are not happening until November. I want to prepare myself for looking round, I’ve looked at some of the ofsted reports but does anyone know how I can find performance info/sats results?

Also what sorts of things should we be looking for when we look round and what sorts of things should we be asking? I’m sorry to sound so clueless, two of the schools we will be looking at both DH and I went to and have happy memories of being there but I want to be sure that we look with an open mind and make the best decision for DS rather than being biased because of our own experience and then making a choice which may not be the right one for him.

Thank you!

i'm not sure about the sats info, some schools have it on their website but if you ask they should tell you.

in terms of questions to ask, we asked the following (i have probably missed some though!)
-how big are the class sizes
-are/when are the children set for maths
-what does a typical week look like for the kids (eg: number of art, music, science lessons)
-do they get assigned a buddy when they start reception
-how much homework do they get a week roughly

all the best x

I can honestly say when I have looked around schools 'gut feeling' really helps. Do all the staff appear happy and pleased to meet you? Are areas clean and tidy? If you are visiting and children from the school are there ask questions about school and see how enthusiastic they are. For example one middle school I looked around seemed grim and grubby, staff were more interested in chatting amongst themselves and one of them told me they didn't have a PTA as the current head disliked parents interfering in school so that was a no!

You'll definitely get a feeling for each school. I visited 5 I think and they all felt different in terms of vibes. Look at what the children there are doing, see if there's plenty for them to do, if they look happy and engaged.

For me I wanted somewhere with a nice outdoor space. I visited one school with a tiny bit of tarmac that wasn't really used, whereas the others I saw had the children going in and out and lots of things to do outside.

Some people take their DC to the open days but I found it much easier being able to look/ask questions without them there.

Well, it may be different where you live, but round here, "choice" is a misnomer. There is no choice really, beyond which is the closest school to you that has space.

Focus on the children and the way they interact with the staff around them. Do they seem happy, engaged, part of a school community? And how do the staff respond? If they seem more focused on impressing prospective parents than working with the children. I'd give it a swerve. There's nothing more important in a school than people who genuinely care about your child.

Our school open day was really underwhelming, typos in the presentation, fairly boring run-through of uniform policy and admissions criteria etc.. we picked it anyway though as it’s our closest and I had heard good things.. and the classrooms looked interesting including the older years. Anyway it’s a lovely, brilliant school that got whatever reason doesn’t seem to try v hard to impress at the open day. I’ve met other parents who didn’t pick it, for that reason, but I’d say look beyond what they tell/show you.

Says results and performance can be compared here www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk
This years says results will be added into the table in December. You can currently see up to 2018 results

DS is a month into reception and based on that as well as the questions above:

• How do they settle children into reception? Are there events in June, how long do they do half days for in September?
• How much homework do they get at various stages of the school?
• How do they teach phonics / reading and how quickly do they go through the letters? (A friend's school is going a lot faster than ours)
• How do they use technology, do they e.g. use apps to teach maths / reading, do they log observations in an online system parents can access?
• How does drop off work - how long into term are parents allowed into the classroom to help settle reception kids? (And also get an idea of what kids are doing)
• If you need them, what are before and after school clubs like? What after school activities like?

Don't think because it's a new building- it will be a good school. Just because a school has new tables and chairs etc, it's a great school. I've seen quite the opposite. See through these things.
Try to look at how happy and independent the children are. Do staff seem happy and valued? (This will have an impact on their performance). Is there adequate support staff? Teaching assistants are so valuable in so many different ways. Schools that don't value this may be putting too much pressure on teachers and also may not be supporting the needs of all children that may need extra support or challenge in class.
Results are important but progress levels indicate good teaching too.
Ask about safeguarding procedures or look at comments on safeguarding and child protection on the ofsted report as this is the most important thing.
What extra curricular activities are offered? Like clubs etc. Are trips and visitors important to enhance learning? Do they offer children a broad learning experience rather than just maths, English all the time!? Is outdoor learning important?
Early reading strategies and phonics needs to be taught well to build early reading foundations.

There is a lot to think about but I think the key is the happiness of all involved. Teachers, TAs, parents but more importantly the children.

@Teddyreddy faster progression through the phobics sounds is not necessarily a good thing. Making sure the children are secure before moving on is most beneficial

Is your DS in preschool at the moment? Tbh I found infant schools very similar to nursery, lots of small people and small furniture and I got a gut feeling that the kids were happy, engaged etc.

@46eskimod I'm aware and I'm pleased DS is going more slowly with phonics, the sense that they took things more gently is part of why we picked his current school rather than his friend's. I've just been surprised at how quickly differences have emerged in how hard they push the kids academically between the two schools (also different homework amounts) - and ideally the schools approach matches your own preferences.

Link to performance tables

Be realistic about whether your child is likely to get a place at the schools you're visiting. It'd be a bit heartbreaking to fall in love with one school where there's no chance of a place. If you can't find this information online, your local council admissions will know, or you can call each school to ask.

I agree with previous comments about getting a gut feel for whether it's a happy place to be. Also, listen out for what the head/deputy have to say - do you get the impression that they're approachable, and that they'll deal with any issues that might arise?

Thank you everyone this is all really helpful. I’ve got much more of an idea of what to think about and look for now. Goodness there is a lot to think about isn’t there. I know we don’t get a choice and that DS may not get whichever school we prefer but I still want to feel as if I have got all of the information and have put down the best preferences for him. Agh why can’t they stay babies forever I am finding all this school stuff very stressful!