Going to visit prospective Primary Schools - questions to ask, things to look out for???

[FrayedKnot]

I'm sure there's a thread on this every year, but DH & I are going to view two primary schools for DS soon, and I'm already panicking.

I need to write a soothing list of things to ask / make sure I have answered.

Can you help me? Anything you wished you had asked, afterwards, that kind of thing...

Ask about how the classroom works, how many teachers/TAs/parent helper per X number of children. How often will they do 1-1 or small group reading each week.

What are the facilities like? Are there nice small loo's for reception to use? Does it have a sports field, big playground, music room, good IT etc.

Do they follow a weekly routine, with set days for PE, music, assembly etc.

You should get a good feel of the school from the children already there, how they interact with the staff and how confident they are with strange adults.

Also, see if they have a school website and if so, how up-to-date is it, does it include parents information and do the children contribute.

Good luck! My DD1 and DS1 started Reception last year and this Sept. and we're having a brilliant time!

The settling in period, how do they handle this? It seems to vary wildy from lots of visits then a term of half days, to straight in all day every day, from hearing other people's experiences

Oh good ideas, everyone, I am going to start my list

Esp about the child-teacher/ta/etc ratio, and the discipline thing. The settling in thing is important from a practical point too because I work p/t and need to somehow fit it round.

These are big schools - 30 children per class, 3 classes per year. I feel like I will be throwing DS to the lions. His nursery has 6 children in his year group, usually there are 3-4 of them.

Ask for a copy of the latest OFSTED report, you will find some very useful info. Best of Luck.

I really think you pick up a vibe from the school as you look around FK. It's as important to ask yourself questions in your head - don't mutter or move your lips though, they may ask you to leave.

Such as:

Is everyone looking happy enough? Are the children enjoying themselves? Do I like the things on the wall? Do I like the Headteacher? Is it busy and buzzy?

My sil is primary school teacher and she told me to ask if they run after school clubs, as this demonstrates the level commitment of the teaching staff. You'll probably pick up the vibe of the school as you walk around.

When they say "does anyone have any questions" I will get out my huge list written in capitals in black felt pen and read verbatim...

Agreat deal depends on the teacher. A fabulous teacher makes all the difference.

FK, I've just been round schools for DS1. I'm 100% happy with our choice - it's my old school(!)

The head showed us round and all the children kept dashing up to tell her things and she knew all their names. The teachers were happy to teach in her presence - very jovial lot. There was a lovely feeling about the whole place - I almost wanted to be back at school again.

So I think you know which is the right place. Questions will occur to you as you walk round, I'm sure. Have a think about the sorts of things your DS might find awkward wrt going to school and ask questions about them, maybe?

Hunker how lovely to be feeling so positive about it

I am hoping to be won over by at least one of the schools..

I really do feel good about it. I hope it continues! So much of your school experience depends on your peers, I think, but the ethos at this school seems very good - much emphasis on helping each other, good behaviour, etc. The head was just lovely and I think so much of a school is about what the head is like.

When was your DS born? Mine was April 04, so he's starting school nursery in January, and reception a year later (two intakes, for the moment - think they're changing that soon though). I deferred his entry to the nursery to give him an extra term of preschool, which he now loves - I'm sure I made the right decision (he's only just potty trained...!) Getting his uniform at the end of the month - seems amazingly grown up for a child who was a newborn baby not that long ago, I'm sure!

I hope that you like the schools you see. I'm heartened by how different school seems to be since I went - in a very good way!

My personal pet non-obvious subject is to ask about the policy towards and availability of drinking water during the day. It's an important issue in itself but also the answer tells you something about the general attitude and approach of the school.

the new thing seems to be letting the children outside as much as possible, forest schools, outdoor play etc based on the idea that young children have way too much energy to sit and learn so have to learn on the move.
Also ecoschools growing veg, healthy eating policy
Do they have a buddy system or friendship bench for lonely children

Katiekin those are interesting thigs to think about. School meals / healthy eating will be things I will definitely want to find out about.

How does a friendship bench work?

Sorry Hunker, DS is a month older than your DS1, but won;t start until Sept, and go stright into reception. None of the schools here have nursery classes. he currently goes to a day nursery 5 mornings a week while I work, and has been there since he was 2. It may be that he will have to continue there after September if he goes to school part-time only to begin with. At least one of the schools does afternoons only for some of the children to begin with, but I'm not sure what the age cut off is.

If a child is lonely/sad/can't find his friends in the big playground etc, he sits on the bench and the busy buddies (year 6 prefects) know to come to help him find someone to play with.