How important is primary school in relation to the development of a child? Is Ofsted accurate?

[Pavlovthecat]

On what grounds do you assess the success of a primary school and whether your child will progress well there?

Is learning level more important than behaviour of children? Does it matter if there are a large number of children with SN?

How do you determine what school's you might send your child to? Are ofsted reports accurate, or do you use other criteria to make your decision.

What if the local school is awful? Is it possible to supplement your child's education, or can you screw up for child's future if your child goes to a failing school?

very good post, AB

Two form entry is optimum I think. Small enough for everyone to know pretty much everyone but with the possibility of moving class if the dynamics don't work out. We've been visiting much larger schools in the States and found them rather anonymous compared with our London school where everyone really does know the children (of course this may be due to the rather outgoing nature of my children, not the school, but that's not the impression I have).

2 form entry? you mean two classes at entry level?

I think the max there would be is say 320 children from what I can see, average is now looking like 250? So thats ok?

So, what about CofE schooling? DH is a lapsed church goer, still considers himself a christian, although not overtly (actively, always, he says, thats just life isnt it?!!!). I was raised CofE but not a christian as such, not as defined by religious terms at least. How does it stand for applications? Is it an absolute nono unless we go to church, is it a case of us demonstrating active participation in a church or that we are happy for our DD to follow christian elements within school teaching and support this? Found a house with a really really good CofE school, current owner says most of the children go there...?

I am scared of making a mistake, but then on the other hand think that she is a clever girl and we have a good social circle of people with children, and will continue this, actively be involved in extra curricular activities, so that we can hopefully make up an deficits which might occur, from what it sounds like in even the best schools around.

Thanks for advice everyone

Thanks Cat64, all clear now!

My primary school was crap. This was in the pre-national curriculum/SAT days. We never really did any work and the class sizes were ridiculous.

And I still managed to get 3 A levels and a first class degree.

so actually, I don't think primary school has that much of a bearing.