What should I look for in a secondary school?

[starpatch]

Just wondering what those with experience would look for in a secondary school? So far I would think about results, range of subjects, how relaxed or otherwise, how they deal with discipline, being local, co ed or single sex etc, extra curricular activities, mix of students backgrounds. I didn't make a great choice with DS current primary school so advice would be welcomed.

This is my list of what to consider

Location
Quality of education
Homework
Meals
School trips
Whole school events
After school activities and clubs
Physical education lessons
MFL education
Type of school in question
Career advice offered to pupils
Feedback on the particular school

You can find out a lot about a school from local shopkeepers. Listen to gossip you hear and while it is a good idea to read the inspection report, remember it does not tell the full story really. In other words, you need to use multiple sources to find out information on the school under consideration.
Look at the school website, talk to parents, make notes, request a tour and learn as much as possible too. If possible try to watch a actual lesson on a normal school day in addition in order to get a feel for the place. Trust your gut feeling as well here. When watching the lesson, make notes of what is happening in the classroom and whether the pupils are happy or not.

I actually think you get a vibe from how they market themselves. What are the key values. Our three high schools are all very different

• how likely you are to get a place
• travel time (and complexity)
• gcse/btec options
• progress scores
• extra curricular

This is what we are looking at. (We do have fixed catchment areas and feeder schools, so more limited choice than other places... we know what school she's most likely to go to already based on that, its whether we want to take a punt on another school)

Thanks really appreciated. It seems like we have pretty limited choice also.

Mine:
Proximity to home.
Good number getting the sort of grades I expected DD to get (which indicated a peer group working at her level and staff capable of getting them to those grades).
Because she is very strong in one subject, teachers capable of stretching her in that subject.
Happy and enthusiastic staff.
No signs of huge/quick turnover in staff.

The schools we were considering had fairly similar curriculum offer and likely behaviour, so no need to consider those. Extra-curricular can be made up for by doing stuff out of school - which is easier if the school is local so they get home quicker.