Going to look at primary schools this morning - reading schemes what should I be looking for?

[sherby]

Any reading schemes that I want to be avoiding, which in your opinion is the best?

Thanks

The majority of schools use ORT - Biff & Chip. I've also heard about some schools using the GINN scheme.

I wouldn't get hung up on which particular reading scheme they're using.

What you need is a teacher who has an obvious enthusiasm and energy for literacy. Our reception/year one/year two teacher (small school) sparkles when she talks about teaching children to read. She uses two or three reading schemes.

More to the point, how often does she hear the children read? Does she have parent volunteers in to help?

I wouldn't even think about reading schemes. Look for happy bouncy children, a quiet buzz of activity (that is, not absolute silence, but no raised voices) lots of art work on the walls (and make sure it's recent!). Look at how the children relate to each other and the teachers, and how the Head is with children. Ask about lunch time arrangements and what sort of playground supervision there is. Ask about discipline (do they do time out, or what other sanctions do they use) Talk to some children if you can, listen in on a lesson, go by the feel of the place. "Feel" is far more important than Ofsteds and SATS results!

I wouldn't worry about the reading scheme, it is better not to just have the one.
The feel of the school is more important. If the Head shows you round does she know the name of every child? Are DCs pleased to see her and want to show her their work? Does she answer your questions without resorting to jargon? If children show you round are they proud of the school?
Do the classrooms have a pleasant working buzz? Look especially at the DCs who are working on their own-are they getting on if they are not directly under the eye of an adult? Do the classrooms and corridors etc look exciting and have DCs work displayed?
Above all-could you imagine your DC fitting in happily?

It is not the reading scheme you should be looking at: children can learn to read out of all sorts of books. Look at the reading books to keep your hands occupied while your brain is doing the real work of trying to suss out the atmosphere. Do you think your lo would be happy here- it's the only question that matters.

Actually if you go in there and they start imediately talking to you about reading schemes then I would take that as a really really bad sign and run a mile.

Lokk for happy involved children.

Also look out for a bright and appealing school library. Good schools will have libraries that small children are really excited to use. Ours is only a little space but it is cosy and appealing. Ask whether they have a weekly library slot. Even before they can read, children enjoy the physical experience of handling books and this can help them see reading as an enjoyable process.

I don't think my daughters' school even uses a reading scheme. It does have that buzz, lots of fizz about it, happy kids, slight chaos, lots of enthusiasm, art work a gogo and teachers I'd trust to the ends of the earth.

(Oh, and they're reading quite competently now!)

Don't get hung up on the academics of a Primary School. The best way to gauge a school is happy children who interact with the Headteacher as they show you the school. Also if the Head takes children out of class to talk to you about their school and what they love about it.

My DS starts school in January 2009 and I also work for an Educational Publishers and all I wanted for my son was a happy, thriving school with lots of smiling children!

Apart from the bounce, the other thing to think about is the practicalities of getting there every morning. Is it a reasonably easy route? If you have to drive, what's the parking like? Can you cope even on a morning when you have been up all night throwing up and feel like a piece of shit? (remember, dc will still have to get to school). If you have younger children, will it fit in with their routine? Will other children at the school live within easy playdate distance?

We found having the school just across the road was an immense advantage, and outweighed any extra library or computer equipment that the more distant school might offer.

oooohh thanks for replies, went and it was fab fab fab

lovely little schools, bright and open, they even have a fold out bed in the reception class for tired children to sleep in

I thought that the reading scheme might show an indication of how they taught etc, anyway she said they don't have one they use all different types so I'm pleased with that. Its ofsted etc aren't fab tbh but I can really see DD being happy there so very pleased with it

Hurrah!

FWIW I fellin love with my kids' school on first going in - I looked at several, and this was the one where I just thought 'oh, this is the one for me us'

Glad you liked it sherby-I think you just 'know' if it is the right school for your DC.
A selection of reading schemes is much better than a single one. I didn't realise the obsession with ORT until I started on these threads!