What is your school like?

[Louise0009]

I’m just wondering what a normal primary school looks like? Very random I know!

My 3 kids have gone to the same primary school that I went to so it’s the only one I know. It’s not in the best area but it’s lovely, the teachers are nice, it’s so clean and tidy and just looks like how I feel a school should look like. Very organised and clean. All work put away, tidy rooms/cloakrooms etc.
We are moving areas to a much nicer part of England, the secondary school is very nice.
However, we went to look at 3 primary schools for my younger 2 and I was so overwhelmed! They were so untidy and it looked like a messy nursery everywhere. Kids were running around, classrooms not tidy, work and toys thrown everywhere. They just looked so unorganised. Is this normal?
The schools have very good reviews but it was so different to me I was panicking slightly! I guess it’s a good thing they let kids be kids?

you seem to very closely align a good school with how tidy it is

I honestly think the best primary schools will have some signs of wear and tear and aren't pristine. Like with nurseries, I look for signs that the toys have been used and loved, artwork on the walls, maybe a little pen/paint/chalk on furniture. Just signs that it's a fun place to be.

The school we have chosen for DD isn’t the smartest but it was the warmest and friendliest. We realistically had the choice of two, both tiny. One slightly smarter and more “professional” headteacher (I found her a bit scary), the other school was a bit less beautifully presented but was so much warmer and the headteacher was lovely.

I went with feel rather than aesthetic. A neighbour has gone the other way! Both are excellent schools, neither is a bad decision just different.

When are you visiting your kids school though?

At the beginning or end of the day?

When school is closed ie parents evening?

School will be tidier at those times.