What to ask on open days

[user1495443009]

What questions do you ask on secondary school open days?

Also, apart from the feelings you get for the place what other things you base your decision on?

I have been looking at secondary schools with DD but I am thinking I am not asking the relevant questions.

I asked staff what they thought of the school, this told me all I needed to know in one schools case as no one was positive though the Head has since left. I asked the TAs.

I asked the pupils if they liked school, everyone said yes but if you question pupils you can get info.

I asked questions relevant to my child, he has special needs, and I was honest and asked them how they would handle that and could they cope.

I also went on what the students where like and is this how I wanted my child to turn out like. Looked at exam results, Ofsteds, other parents views. Asked kids views but kids generally want to go where their friends are going. Daughter went to a different school but made 5 new friends first week so I wouldn't put too much weight on that personally.

Thank you. I will make sure to ask those questions.

See this current thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3034166-High-school-open-eves-ofsted-how-to-choose-high-school-for-DD

Value added and progress 8. Any number they give you should not be a minus number. Avoid any school with a score lower than minus 1.

Ask what they do about bullying. Don't take 'we don't have bullying' as an answer, every school does. Ask about exclusion numbers and alternative provisions and the number of TAs.

For pupils the most telling question I've heard is "what don't you like about the school". I think a great school is one where they can come up with something but it's not too bad.

What is the worst school rule?
If you could change something about your school what would it be?
What's the food like?

Far more important: what's the teaching like!!! Food never taught anyone anything.

Pupils are often very good at giving you an insight. Ask the pupils what their favourite subject is, and why. Ask what lessons could be better and why. Ask if the pupils were Head, what would they change or improve? What is the best thing about the school? Ask the pupils if they feel safe in the school. You get the idea! Have a conversation with as many as possible. They are rarely rehearsed to give you spin!

Thank you for the advice and for the link to the other thread. It is very useful.

I am going back again to my favourite schools armed with lots of questions. Thanks a lot