Can't get any school tours. What to do?

[backtothegrindstone]

We're hoping to move to a new area, and have two kids who are already in school so would be looking for mid-year places for them both. We are currently looking for houses, and knowing that all the schools have smallish catchment areas, I have tried to get tours for the schools so that we can use this as a way of helping to choose houses depending on whether we get into the catchment. However, only one school has been able to offer me a tour. The other two schools have just said 'we have no tours at the moment. We'll get back to you when we have some planned'. When I tried to argue that we hope to move in the next 2-3 months so it was quite pressing (our house is under offer already so we're pretty motivated to get something bought), they have just said 'we don't have time to show everyone around when they ask, we'll show you round when you have an address in the area'. In the main the attitude was just downright obstructive and unhelpful. I wasn't expecting the head or even a teacher to show me round, just a member of office staff. I feel like I can't make an informed choice on something that will massively impact my children's futures if I haven't even seen the schools that are available. The one I have seen was lovely, but has a tiny catchment area and already has 4 people on the waiting list in each class so I feel like I can't pin my hopes on it. What do I do?

Since it is a midyear admission, you will probably be allocated a school that has places, irrespective of how close it is. Could you rent first? The waiting list might be going on for years...

I don't think that's an issue for us- we'll be half an hours drive from our old school so we can keep driving them back here if necessary which I'd prefer over taking any old school place. We can also consider private if we really need to though that's not preferred. We're moving to get out of the countryside to somewhere the kids can walk to school and it's really only one of those three schools or nothing for us. Don't think renting would make any difference. there isn't anything available in the area so it wouldn't take us any closer to our preferred schools.

Schools that don't have time to show you round don't have places. It's a bit shit, but I suppose you can assume they're good schools. Have you tried asking on a local facebook page people tend to be quite candid.

I agree, if they are not able to show you round, they will be full and probably have waiting lists.

Have you tried asking on a local facebook page people tend to be quite candid.

About other schools, the one they send their child is always the best one.

I would also think that schools who don’t have time to show you around don’t have space. maybe ask how full they are? if you have a 20-30 kids long waiting list, showing parents around is not a priority

Pah the office staff won't be showing you round. It'll be my dd. They always choose her ever since year 5 she is frequently pulled out of lessons to show parents round.

Yes, have asked on Facebook but its not all that helpful as they are all so very very different- one is a church school, one a two form entry and one a 4 form entry which is also a new academy so it has no Ofsted. The two form entry is the one I’ve seen and is definitely my preferred (lovely nurturing school that isn’t rigid or focused on sats) but has got 4 kids on each class waiting list and a small catchment area. The 4 (and some years 5) form entry would not be my preferred for primary due to its huge size especially as my kids are used to a 1 form school and we love how it means the kids all get to know each other, but as it’s so large will be much more likely to have places come up so really think I need to see it. I’d probably prefer not to go church to be honest but don’t think we can afford to be picky. All seem well thought of and all are in a good area so not exactly suffering from being ‘sink’ schools. The waiting list argument seems daft though as these can change so much in a short time- people put their names on waiting lists and take another place in the interim but then decide to stay where they are, and kids leave without notice so it can change dramatically very quickly, plus if we end up living closer for example than someone else already on the waiting list, we still jump over them unless the beat us on other criteria.

If they say they don't have time they generally mean it! Schools need places filled to get more funding and atm there's not enough funding so all staff are rushed off their feet....

Don't get me wrong, I get it, schools are stretched. But they aren't offering any group tours and don't have any scheduled in the future until next autumn so how are you realistically supposed to make an informed choice when you're applying mid year? Just because a school is good doesn't mean it's a good fit for your child and it could be horrible if you get it wrong.

Anyone have any creative ideas for ways to get inside schools other than on an official tour? I considered applying to be a governor for example if they were looking but they aren't. It'd take me 2 minutes to see what I need to see I suspect

What will you see in two minuets?

How the teachers teach?
If the kids are happy?
If the wall displays are up to scratch?

Not sure what your are expecting?

What not door knock? Just not lunch time.

About other schools, the one they send their child is always the best one

Your experience is very different to mine, when anyone asks about schools on my local Facebook group the replies they get tend to be from the parents who aren't happy with their school

Don’t become a governor just to see the school - I’m one and it’s an enormous commitment - 2/3 meetings a term, lots of paperwork, training courses, 2/3 school class visits plus open days and plenty of other things!

Does the school have a summer fair? Or a cake stall? That might be a better option?

As a Chair of Governors I would be appalled if my school did not show prospective parents around, even though it is full. It shows a terrible attitude and I would really have concerns about any school that was being so cavalier about turning away prospective parents. I would consider other schools that maybe are not as "good" but at least want your child in the school.

Wasn't suggesting I BECOME a governor, just that expressing interest in becoming a governor might qualify me for a tour @pointeshoesandtutus

@greentulips everyone's different. I'm a psychologist and I can tell a lot in two minutes. I can see class dynamics, child happiness, rigidity, freedom, use of light and colour, how child centred the space is etc etc. You'd be amazed.

And don't have time to wait for the summer fair. We already have an offer on our house and need to pick which side of the neighbourhood to buy in so we're in the right catchment area. I really need to look now.

Sometimes you don't have the staff to do a tour. You can't use a child as you can't have non DBS person in school without a supervising adult.

Who would be answering the phones, phoning parents of absent children, dealing with first aid, receiving deliveries, writing letters, etc whilst the office staff was showing you around?
Schools don't have any staff sitting around doing nothing.

I appreciate that, but equally one school has just done a tour today for 8 prospective parents and do tours once a month. So clearly it's possible.

Would any of you feel comfortable sending your clubs to a school you'd never been into?!

Child I mean, not clubs 🙄

No, I wouldn't feel comfortable, you have to get a feel for a school and even then, you're not always right.

I never did a 'school tour' as such (went to open day for prospective parents), but visited schools by appointment with my child, spoke to head and teachers, had a look round.

What's wrong with buying a house you like and sending children to the catchment school?

I live in Scotland and we don't have any of this picking a school nonsense, you go to your closest catchment school and that's it (unless you do a placing request for a specific school but that's not the norm).