What quetions do you ask when choosing a new primary school?

[MPearl]

my son is due to start school sept 2010; I am due to start visiting local schools soon. What questions do you ask? are you allowed to sit in and observe a class in session? what do you look for when visiting?

You won't see a whole session, you will see all the classes at work.
If the Head shows you around notice if she knows ever DCs name and whether they are keen to talk to her/him and show work.
If DCs show you around it is a good sign.
Has the school got a good working atmosphere? Look especially at the DCs who are not working under the direct eye of the teacher-are they getting on? Do they seem enthusiastic?
Does the classroom look exciting and vibrant? Look for lots of DCs work on the walls. Is there a library and plenty of equipment for play/maths/science/music/art etc. Is it well cared for. Do the DCs look as if they have a pride in the school?
Is the hall big enough for whole class PE?
Above all can you see your DC happy there.

Ask about reading- which schemes they use and how often the DCs are heard read and whether they take books home. If you think your DC might be a confident reader ask how they stretch the top end, if you think they might struggle ask about extra support.
Ask about bullying -all schools will have some-what you need to know is how they deal with it.
I would ask about homework, I prefer to have just reading but it is just as well to know what the policy is.
Ask about playtimes and whether they have play equipment and buddy schemes.
More questions will probably occur to you as you go around.

thanks for this.... I am making notes... but what is a buddy scheme??

A buddy scheme is in the playground they have a bench or similar where DCs go if they want a friend and some of the older DCs will get them together and organise a game or something. Really you just need to look out for the pastoral care and check that they are interested in the whole DC and not just how they perform in the classroom. It will tell you about it in the Ofsted and ideally they should have a 2(good) or a 1(outstanding). Look for a school that is kind and caring.

I ask if many children leave the school and why

and if many join later on.

some schools have this a lot due to geography, but my experience is that I like schools which attracts children who aren't thriving in other schools; can be due to a tolerant, forward thinking ethos.

I always ask the head 'how would you describe the school', of course it's an impossible q, but you can get a lot from what they choose to say, again, I like it when the answer is something like 'we think every child has something to offer', less keen on, 'discipline's really important here', but those are my priorities, won't be the same for everyone.

Do the children seem happy, do you hear laughter?

How are the children with staff, inc. head? Anyone can be sweet to kids when someone's watching; if the children seem relaxed and happy, not nervous with the adults, that's a good sign that they're usually like that.

And, listen to what they want to show you - one school said 'look how well behaved they are', another said 'do go and talk to the children, they love to tell people what they're busy doing'. We chose the second.

(there was another which showed us the computer science room, and the sports facilities, and all the art on the walls the kids had done, but no children at all - that one was a no-brainer!)

If they don't show you the children don't touch it! Talk to the children-that tells you all you need to know really!

the other thing I did was talk to each Head about dd's button phobia (very real to dd, whatever anyone else might think) and that gave big clues: one school we never met the Head personally; one school the Head was far too busy to be asked that kind of question; one school Head laughed, fairly kindly but still rolling her eyes, and said 'how odd, but no problem'; last school the Head said (to dd who was allowed to visit too. 'oh how interesting, I've heard of that, no, no problem, you can wear t-shirts and zip up cardis'.

Guess which one dd is at

I would also say that if you can't see the Head, avoid the school.

I work in an infant school and would say this: do make sure the head shows you round, if possible speak to a foundation stage (ie Reception class) teacher about the way the children are taught, reading schemes, pe (what your child will be expected to be able to do by his/herself re getting changed etc,) ask about lunchtimes, how many supervisors there are + how lunchtime is organised generally - it can be very traumatic for some small children, is your child's class likely to be a split yeargroup and what this means for your child, is there a parent-teacher group(often called Friends of School) and would there be a recent newsletter you could read, extra-curricular activities (not an after school club) such as playing the recorder,sports, art etc. Don't be afraid to write all this down & take it with you and also to make notes on answers given - you are entitled to choose the best education you can for your child. The best recommendation is probably parental opinion - do you know anyone with kids at the school? What do they think of it?

wow - thanks so much for all the responses! very helpful; thank you