What should we be looking for in a primary school???

[Pheebe]

DS1 starts school in 2009 and we have a few choices so we're off to have a look round over the next couple of weeks.

But...what exactly are we lookiing for? Here's what I've come up with but am I going over the top or looking for the wrong things? Seems like such a momentous decision we're making for him...

Environment:
Clean and tidy
Happy, smily kids
Lots of artwork on the walls
Plenty of equipment (not loads of kids sharing)
Lots of books, easily accesible
Computer equiment

Questions:
Do they separate boys and girls for lessons at all?
Do they specific procedures in place to support boys learning?
What social/community work do they do
Type/frequency of school trips
Extracurricular activities
PTA activities/involvement
How do they handle disruptive behaviour?
Bullying policy
School council, student members?

Obviously all that is important, but often it is more of a feeling you have about a particular school, rather than specific things like you have listed.

Amusing given that the key question for a lot of people is:

"Is there one I can get to?"

With its slight variant:

"Is there one I can get to which is not full of slack-jawed mutants carrying knives in at the age of 10?"

And the other version:

"Is there one which doesn't require me to pay lip service to an imaginary sky-friend?"

"Choice" in action.

What's amusing? The fact that I'm interested in my sons schooling?

I mean amusing in an ironic sense. Most people are "interested" in their children's schooling, but for the vast majority the local/nearest primary school is the only option, or whichever one nearby happens to have places.

sandy is spot on with that comment.....when I was changing my childrens school, I did look at all those points you said, but the school that 'won' was the one that felt really happy as soon as I walked in.

in fact, it was the same when we were house hunting......we went for (and are still living in incidently), the one that had a good 'vibe'.

the best ever way to judge is trying to go on feelings....same as when you meet people etc. If you feel calm and pleased and happy as soon as you walk in, then listen to yourself, as you and your son will be happiest there regardless of ofsted criteria etc.

IMO

Still not sure if you're taking the mickey or not. We have a choice of three schools, I'm asking for help in making that choice or have a broken some unspoken rule by indicating we have a choice?

Thanks Psycho, thanks Sandy

I think you're right, when I'm making decisions for me I always trust my instinct, this just seems like such a huge decision for DS's sake

Listen carefully to what they say about the curriculum.Do they slavishly follow the suggested curriculum or have the branched out and created a more interesting tailor made one for their particular location and children?
Ask about their approach to SATs. Does the school spend the whole of year six revising or do they feel confident enough to just give a few sessions on exam technique and practise papers?
How often do they do P.E? It is many children's favourite subject.
Do they have specialist teachers for any part of the curriculum?
How do they manage PPA time? Is it a regular cover teacher or a random supply teacher different every week?

I don't think anyone is taking the mickey, really. So many people don't have any choice, or only one reasonable school which is way over subscribed etc etc....
Please don't feel "got at"

Anyway, when we looked round, we visited 3 schools. We have a lot of schools locally being in an inner London borough.
In the end it was between 2. Although one was very modern, light, bright and airy, it just didn't feel right. The other school was a bit tired decor-wise, a gloomy Victorian building, but oozing character and good cheer. There was a certain energy which wasn't there in the other school.

As many people say, go with what feels right. I know people have cerain ideas, whether it is outstanding academic results, music/art facilities, a sporting school, whatever, your child needs to feel happy and secure. They will be going there for 7 years. You don't want to be dragging them there.

BTW though all those things you mention are of course important to ask.

Why would you expect boys and girls to be separated? I would ask about differentiation, what sort of groups they set up etc. I think vibe, a good welcome and an effective head teacher are the key things. I visited eight schools and was very surprised to be offered a place at the one I liked most (thought it was too far away). I was interested to find that the two most highly regarded didn't do it for me at all, and the one with the worst results was quite inspiring.

My 'educational manager friend' reckons a good, dynamic headteacher who gives you a good vibe when you meet her/him is all important.

I would place things like computer equipment low on the list tbh, not to mention school council/student members (your son is 4, right?). Too much tidiness might be a sign that they are not very creative, find messy things too much trouble. And I would certainly not like to see boys and girls separated- I feel ds has learnt a lot from working with both boys and girls.

I would look for a good 'feel' to the school, a happy buzz.

When we chose dc's infants school, we did not choose the one with the most equipment or the biggest classrooms/playground, but simply the one that was nearest to our house. But I would never have considered it if it hadn't had that happy busy atmosphere. It was a good choice.

Thanks everyone, you've given me lots to think about.

The only reason I mention about separating boys and girls is that I've been reading 'Raising boys' about how boys n girls learn differently and how, for some subject such as reading different teaching approaches work better. Don't know how relevant that is really.

Ah. Well you should find that all schools now use synthetic phonics to teach reading, as this has been nationally mandated.

If you've got a choice:

1. peer group - the other children at the school, friends he makes there will have a huge influence on his life, outlook etc.
2. how well they teach reading. As nooka says, all schools should be using synthetic phonics now BUT having a programme and using it properly are two different things. Have a look at the reading books -if they use repetitive, predictive text, banded books such as Oxford Reading Tree, they aren't doing synthetic phonics and your child may fail to learn to read.