Choosing a primary school

[drmumoftwo]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone can share the kind of questions they ask a state primary school to help decide which one they rank first? We're based in north london. Thank you!

1. What is their settling in process (e.g. 1 week half days vs 4 weeks of half days which wouldn't work for us)
2. Do they have breakfast/after school club? How much is it? Is there always space?
3. How close is it to my house, how long will it take us to wapk there each morning/evening?
4. What is the reception room like? How much outside space? Is it a big room with lots of free play stations?

Then after that we just went on feel when we visited

Look at the walls. They're a really good way of seeing how a class is taught. There should be a maths board, an English board and a topic board at least.

There's a lot to be said for gut feeling.

Make sure you visit a lot of schools so you can compare them- as well as helping you work out what you want, it'll also help you work out what you don't work.

When we were looking, the tour really turned me off a school we had thought would be our first choice initially. The head just didn't say the kinds of things I wanted to hear, and didn't inspire me, and her pitch to.parents felt empty.

Equally, another school rocketed up our list due to the amazing head who really impressed us (and continues to) and was super passionate about her school, the team and the kids. She clearly expected a lot of them, but in a kind, welocming way. A lot can be said from a head you have confidence in.

Always include the nearest to home school in your list, even as last choice unless it is really really bad. If you don't get any of the schools you prefer at least you will have a shorter commute each day while your child remains on waiting list for better options.

Practical considerations first. Distance from home, ease of wrap around care if needed, settling in process (days/weeks/straight in). Then I would go on feel and ethos. Trust your gut here. How do they handle Sen needs (even if your child doesn’t seem to have Sen, it’s amazing how things can develop as they grow). What is their behaviour and discipline policy. Any strict or unusual policies over food, clothing, behaviour. I would want the staff to be kind and nurturing, flexible and approachable in primary. The feel of the school very much comes from the Head, so make sure you meet them.
Pretty much everything else is just window dressing, imo. Results and ofsted don’t count for much at that level.