starting high school .. what to look for in a good school?

[surprise]

My DD is due to start high school next year, so tomorrow is the open evening for the school in our catchment area. I'm keen on her going there, as it seems "up and coming", but really don't know what to look for, what questions to ask etc. I've looked at the ofsted report,which was very average, and at the school league tables (it's middling). Bur what I really want to know is how "nice" the school is - just wondered if any teachers/parents of high school children could give me an idea of how tgo find this out. Many thanks

Go to the open evening, take your daughter there, and see how the school treats you both. Listen carefully to the Head's speech for signs that all children at the school are valued. And talk to anyone you know whose child is at the school already. And see what the pupils showing you around are like, and whether you would like your daughter to be like them. I think you need to concentrate on picking up an atmosphere rather than having a list of questions.