Visiting potential schools, what questions shoud i ask? please help!

[dimwitmummy]

I'm visiting the Stoke
Poges School this morning,and
Lynch Hill School tomorrow (probably). Both schools offered ds a place and I have had much trub deciding on which to take up, hence the visit. A teacher/ Office manager will show me around, but I would like to ask them questions so I can really weigh up the pros and cons of both againt each other. I know to ask about

class sizesif the school is a feeder school to a secondary

What questions would you ask a potential school where your child would go into for reception? All suggestions wecome, and much appreciated.

Both schools are very good. I just need guidance on the sort of question that shoud be asked whilst at the school to make the most of my visit and to help me decide afterwards

FOrgot to say, Stoke Poges have asked me to come in in an hour and a half!

I would ask

1. Do the children stay in the same class groups as they progress through the school? Some schools mix them up, others keep them the same.
2. Do they welcome parent helpers? I wanted to help and wanted a school that was open to parents being in the classroom. To me, it showed they were confident in what they were doing.
3. How do you go about speaking to the class teacher if you have concerns? Some schools seem to be more easily approachable than others.
4. How many adults will there be in the class? My dd has a little girl in her class with a full time TA due to special needs - this benefits the whole class in my opinion as the jump from nursery to reception adult/child ratios is huge. DD has the teacher plus 2 TAs which seems to work well.
5. Does the teacher have extra responsibilities which mean they leave the class regularly for meetings/training etc? Regular supply teachers can be unsettling in reception, in my opinion.

Good luck and hope you read this before you go!

THANKS runoutofideas- you certainly had a few ideas today and ta v much to pixie aswell for the helpful hints and tips. i was 'refreshing' this page many a times before i left- i collated a list of questions and the visit went well. i liked the school..but ds had other ideas. the lady showing us around asked ds 'so, you'll be coming to this school' and ds shook his head vigorously before looking away and avoiding eye contact thereafter. oops. not the best of start to things! going to see the other school either tomorrow or monday, any more suggestions greatly received