What to look out for or ask when viewing a school

[Nosleepclub13]

Our eldest is due to start primary next September, so we need to start thinking about where we'd like him to go really ready for applying later in the year.

He's currently at a pre school attached to a primary school however it is not out catchment school. We live in a village which does have a primary school but we didn't like the pre school attached to this one so sent him to the one slightly further away, but still only about 5-10 min drive.

I think we potentially would get him into the primary school attached to his current pre school as plenty of children in our village go to this school, however I want to see this one plus our catchment school as the one in catchment would be more convenient long term, but my question is what things should I be looking for and what things should I be asking.

For reference our daughter will still be at the pre school my son currently goes to so the drive isn't really an issue, obviously whichever school better suits our families needs will be first choice but just want to go to view prepared to ask all the right questions

I'm not sure you need to go to the visits with any specific questions in mind as you will get a gut feeling if it's the right school for your child and then questions will arise naturally.

Schools are very, very different from each other so it's good to compare at least two, maybe more. You may want to ask questions related to wrap around care, after school clubs, trips etc... but the school's values/ethos should be very evident during the tour. It's also important you see the whole school : see what Y6 are doing! Schools vary so much in their approach at all stages but particularly in preparations for SATs etc...

My eldest is now Y8 but I clearly remember my tours around the local schools. Our gut feeling that our local infant school with it's play based curriculum and warm, friendly staff ended up being the right choice for us! I genuinely believe you will just know when you step through the door if it is the school for you!

Agree, it's pretty much just gut feel.
The only must-ask questions I'd have would be what are the options for before/after school care if you might ever use them (even if not now, maybe one day in the future), and if your child enjoys a particular sport, is there a club/team.
Generally is it a happy place where students and staff seem happy to be there?

Ask them what they do if a child gets bullied - If they try to suggest there's no bullying, be extremely

Ask them if they do any poverty proofing - it gives a good idea if they care about their families.

Ask them how they organise/assign roles for sports day & the play - if everything is compulsory and one size fits all, again be .

Ask them what the supervision of break/lunch is like.

Ask them what rules they have around eating/canteen.

Ask them how they support pupils with SEN regardless of whether your child has SEN.

All these things help you understand the culture in the school.

This has been really helpful thank you, sorry it's taken me so long to reply for some reason I've only just been notified!

I'd not have thought about some of those points so that's great thank you 😊

As other PPs have said, you will likely get a gut feeling about them.
Take note of who shows you round - the Head or similar, great, they can answer questions. If you're fobbed off onto a junior staff member or non-teaching staff be wary - implies they aren't really bothered about you, your child.
Ask about swimming provisions - when do they start, how long, how often?
Forest school, welly walks, so they get outside much?
Trips - how often, where?
How is the transition to secondary school? What school does it feed into?
How do they deal with stretching more able pupils & support those struggling.
What is the teacher/TA ratio to children?
Is there a strict uniform? Ie do you have to buy expensive logo'd items from specific retailers or can you get it from the supermarket?
Are the children happy?

Agree re gut feelings, but I usually also ask, what is the best and worst thing about the school? Especially to any kids showing me round

Lots of good questions by PPs so I won’t add more.

Things to OBSERVE:

• How are the desks arranged? All facing the front in rows would indicate a teacher-centred approach, while arranged in smaller groups reflects a more student-centred approach
• How do the students treat each other? Is there a sense of respect and calm in the classrooms?
• Are all the students engaged and on task? Or are there groups looking around, fidgeting, or not engaging?
• What do you see in terms of wall displays? Do you see evidence of learning on the walls? Organisation charts and responsibility charts etc?
• What is behaviour like in the corridors and while moving around the building? Is it safe and orderly?
• What are the facilities and resources like? Do you evidence of investment in the school? E.g. a well-equipped music room, art supplies, a sports hall with equipment etc.

These are some things I look for in schools.

Honestly, I went into out first set of visits with lots of questions. The reality however is that you will be allocated a school and that you don't have a huge choice, as is suggested. So do consider that too, and be realistic. We unfortunately had a large sibling intake in our year which really skewed the offers. So realistically, research the criteria and last years offers but don't put too much weight on them.

Is there an afterschool club? It is any good? What chance do you have of a place?

Taus your son with you, and see how they treat him. One primary school I viewed completely ignore my son - their future pupil!! One was lovely and directed questions and chat to him.