How do you pick a primary school?

[Sricha]

Hello - I am a Mum and I am a Bursar in a primary school. I am doing a piece of work for my Diploma in School Business Management about the viability of rural schools.

It would be really helpful to me to get some feedback on how parents pick a primary school.

Is it:

1 - Location (it's your catchment school)
2 - Reputation
3 - Sats results
4 - other

Any feedback on this topic would be great.
Many Thanks Sarah

Sorry live in the city but for your info. We went for
Reputation by word of mouth
Location (no need to drive)
Sats results
& we have stuck by reputation as we have just changed our 5 year old from one school to our 1st choice as we kept him on the waiting list. Now, I just hope he'll be happy

For me, it was a combination of the following:

Shared values - it's a faith school but even beyond that, there's a good emphasis on turning out well rounded, kind, confident individuals.

Strong leadership & welcome from the Head when we went to visit.

Good, industrious, positive atmosphere in the school. It's bright, attractive, lots of interesting displays and good facilities.

Overall accessibility from home...it's not our nearest school but it's 5 minutes from home, not the other side of town.

I didn't actually read the Ofsted or look at the SATS results, I just asked myself whether I wanted these adults educating my children, did I want my children to spend 5 days a week in this building, did I feel that the school's values and mine were on the same page.

Also... sorry for hijack, but can you give me some more information about your course? I do a similar job and have been looking for this sort of qualification. Thanks very much.

Location (choice of 3 within 15 mins walk of home) and then chose between them according to reputation and OFSTED results.

I am doing this now, and choose by these criteria:
-nearest and smallest
-not religious
-mixed intake - socially and ethnicially (I live in a city so important to me)
-it's interesting to look at the value-added and Ofsted overall view
-feel of the place.

My principles say go to the nearest school and then try to do everything within your power to improve it. As dd is due to go next year, I guess this is where my principles will be tested . So far, the above is where we will be applying, haven't visited the school though. We are in Outer London.

But yes, location - is 5 mins away (my 1st choice)

For Misshardbroom - thanks for your feedback. The course is run by the NCSL (national college for school leadership). I did a CSBM with them last year and now the DSBM. Have a look at their website - if you work in a state school there are free funded places.

Thanks Sricha, this is very helpful.

to be honest I had such a rubbish choice in my catchement area, so I picked the one with the purple uniform...