visiting a primary school - what should i look for/ask?

[kissmummy]

My DS will be going to school in september 2011 and we've arranged to go and have a look round our local primary school. it's rated "Good" by Ofsted. we're being offered a chat with the headmistress. as a first time parent this is all new to me and i'd love advice/tips on what i should look for when assessing the school etc and the sort of questions to ask the headmistress. Our little boy was a summer baby and will only just have turned four when he starts school. we live in south west london in a nice area where the schools are all quite good but are over subscribed.

I have recently been looking at lots of primary schools for ds and dd as we are in the process of moving house and I need to find a school that will take both of them

For me some of the important things are (in no particular order):

Does the school feel bright and cheerful?
Do the children look "busy" as we are going round the school?
Is there outside space?
Do I think my children would be challenged there?
What are my chances of getting places for both children there (this one is vital for me but people applying "normally" wouldn't have quite the same issues)
Do they have a home corner etc in year 1 as well as reception?
What do parents who come in to help do? I found it better asking that than fo parents come in as easier for them to just say yes!

Things that put me off:
Headteacher unable to show me round or even speak to me as she was "too busy" and was unable to speak to me on the phone. Turned out they were about to have an ofsted but made me feel v unwelcome.
School is currently infant and junior but going to merge in abouf 18 months time. Toilets in reception area not in nice condition and was told this was due to forthcoming merger. Not great for DD who will be in reception in September
Feeling that no one really cared about displays etc

I think l have found one now and just need the rest of the move to go smoothly Overall I looked at 13 different schools over 4 days which was exhausting but hopefully worth it

I found Ofsted reports didn't help much - a school that was grade 3 satisfactory was one I really liked wheras a grade 1 outstanding one was souless.

Wasn't shown round by any pupils so not sure if that would have altered my views. Would definitely have wanted to see headteacher as well.

many thanks for all the brilliant suggestions - loads of things I wouldn't have thought of. all written down in a long list for reference on the day!

I asked:

Do they have a printed school brochure that you can have

Pick up any leaflets about the school that you see in the entrance ? newsletters etc

any new build or new facilities upcoming

Is the school oversubscribed? (i.e. popular)

Number of classes per year

Average class size (it has to be under 30 in Key stage 1 (4-7 years, Reception, Year 1, Year 2)

Website - updated? Does the school email out newsletters?

How much change of staff is there each year on average? A stable staff is better, although there will be some movement.

How many staff are more experienced and how many are NQTs (newly qualified teachers) ? a balance is good.

What extended school facilities are there ? breakfast club and after school, and at what ages?

How will they extend an able child? Are children set for Literacy/ Numeracy as they get older?

Homework, how much and at what age does it start.

Sports facilities

Music lessons, drama, creative arts, school productions

Reward systems for pupil achievement, how do they celebrate success?

Praise / Behaviour management

Do parents/carers come in to help in class on a regular basis?

Is there a strong parent/teacher association (PTA) or Friends scheme?

re. the pupils showing the prospective parents around: we had that at one school, it was a school I wasn't that bothered about, but the children were great. And I came out thinking that if my DD came out of that school anywhere near as articulate, confident and happy as the girl who showed us around, I'd be happy.
Yes, they will have been cherry picked. But it was still reassuring that the school these children were coming out of this school - and that the school were obviously proud of them and encouraging.

It is important to spend quite a bit of time with the head though. I did find that my opinion of the head and how much I liked them was a massive part of how I felt about the school.

I wouldn't take your DC (not for primary anyway). I'd considered this - but she'd only get her heart set on the school with the snakes and ladders on the tarmac or something.

I like to be shown around by pupils and given a chance to talk to the head afterwards - you get a much more honest picture of what life will be like for your child at the school.

If being shown around by the head I always notice how many kids s/he knows by name, and I like to see a friendly relationship between the head and her/his staff. You always want to meet the oldest children in the school (primary or high) so you get a feeling for how the kids turn out in the end. Sloppy uniform is a big turn off for me, but not everyone would agree.