Transferring from private to state - things not to say to/ask the Head.

[thedolly]

I have a meeting with the Head of our catchment primary school (5-9) next week.

So what things shouldn't I say/ask the Head if I want to give the right impression.

It's beginning to feel like a bit of a soap opera now - this is my 4th thread on the same topic . I nearly posted this in AIBU .

However it does have the potential of being quite a funny thread and it may even help me from committing an unwitting private/state faux pas.

Thanks.

was responding to seeker at 14:39.

To those of you that are interested - We relocated before the children were due to start school from area with an 'outstanding' and very well respected primary within walking distance. We were also in the catchment area for a fantastic state secondary (the kind that goes on estate ggent particulars).

The area we moved to is fairly rural and there is a three tier system with no 'outstanding' first schools. It just seemed easier to go 'private'.

ooh, why do you need to give the Head 'the right impression'? Is the Head someone you have fancied for ages?

Sorry - am not familiar with your other threads, but afaik, state schools are not allowed to pick and choose entrants based on impressions of parents, so just be honest and say "should my DCs refer to the toilets, W.C's bathrooms, or lavvies when they need to 'go'?"

Ask how much homework there is but don't call it "prep"!

OP just do yourself a favour and read pagwatch's post.

A head teacher is a head teacher. Many have experience of working in both private and state sectors. Whatever your genuine concerns about your child should be addressed and any good teacher will do that. Stop getting yourself into a pickle over nothing.

I just came on here for a good laugh too, (have just had 'words' with the simpering twit my dc has for a reception teacher and after the phone call I've just had with the council will be telling her tomorrow I take a dim view of people who lie to me!!)

I did find this funny and do think the OP took it very well although I am slightly confused about eh reasns behind the change.

I do sympathise (a little bit) I have massive school angst ATM and have been contemplating a thread of my own about it

At the risk of looking dumb is the school in some guys post for real?

oh and just another thought thedolly is this the only school and do you have a chance of actually getting a place/places? (it sounds like you have more than one dc)

Am in London and had intended to post this earlier but wondered off to do some work I havn't looked round many schools (no point no places round here) but the heads in the 'best' schools held open days which were bun fights it was only the heads in the somewhat more 'average' schools that showed parents around!

I am slightly that our current head has time to lurk in the playground at pick up for the new reception kids yet can't find the time to write to parents and tell them the same bunch of children will be on half-days for the first week or that there have been fundamental changes to the classes this year.

I took the thread to be a bit of a giggle and hopefully get some advice in there somewhere for the op.

I do think some of the comments were unfair and a bit over the top really.
OP is really only asking about joining a new school and what to expect, it doesn't really matter if it is state/private or even loopy steiner type school.
All parents get anxious at some point about their childs education, not reappy fair to call them a twat for doing so.

really. Blardy state school edumacation didn't teach me proper spellings and stuff.

Hilarious thread.
But OP, really, I hardly think it matters what kind of impression you want to make on the Head - they have seen it all, and parents are NOT their preoccupation at all. If YOU don't want place, others will, so kindly shut the door on your way out.
So - just ask any questions about anything you GENUINELY want to know the answer to ,and then just knuckle down and get on with it.
And if it really is too ghastly (give it a term) then take a bar job, or go on the game and send the kids to St Custards instead...

Just had a child in from a private school (Y2). Turns out she's slap bang average in the class. (From what we'd heard over the past few weeks, I thought private school pupils were 2 years ahead . She also rolled up with worksheet after worksheet, and maths workbooks. Marking was awful 'Good Sophie. 1 hp'... excellent work sophie 2hp.....

So, I'd ask the headteacher about the average attainment in the class she's going in, and maybe, just maybe, you'll be surprised.

It matters to me what impression I make with the Head - it seems to me that people are prone to thinking I am a snob and I would rather they didn't.

When I phoned today I explained my situation and asked if it might be OK to meet the Head and have a look around, 'if that's the done thing?'. I was assured by a very pleasant lady that it was absolutely fine to do so.

The school is a small rural school and is undersubscribed so I shouldn't be putting anyones nose out by taking up 2 places.

The school does not have a website so I can't find out things like whether or not they have an orchestra or strings group. So, I should just go ahead and ask-right? Or does that particular question make me sound like a 'twat'?

Thanks for that Jajas .

I don't think the i/v with the head is the most important thing. It is much more important to get the feel of the school when you walk round - this is the time to ask questions as well, not when you're stuck in an office. Can you tell if the children happy? occupied? being creative? talking to each other about their work? doing exciting things? Do they have lots of time in the open air? Ask about PE? What clubs do they offer? Do they run a creative curriculum which links lots of subjects? Do the teaching staff look involved with the children - do they look happy and in control?

Will a small rural school have sufficient pupils to form an orchestra?

Hmm the rural schools around here have about 5 children per year so an orchestra might be pushing your luck

About 70 pupils across 5 year groups, so not as small as some I guess. I never know if we are rural or semi-rural but a friend who has lived in the area all her life recently said that the experience of a 'rural primary school' is a special thing .

take him a brace of pheasants

take him a brace of pheasants

PMSL at Orchestra or Strings Group...
No, the school won't have that...

The Head is a 'she'.

Do you still think I should take the pheasants ?