Open Mornings and Evenings. What to look for?

[2022wontbecrap]

We are about to start going to the local opening mornings and evenings for secondary school. What things should we be asking or looking for? The last time we did school visits when I went to secondary school over 30 years ago!

Yes, my daughter's school doesn't hand-pick kids, just asks for volunteers. The open day is on a Saturday and I remember being so impressed that the school was full of pupils willing to give up their Saturday when we attended the open day.

In all the open days/mornings/evenings I've been to you all assemble for an introductory talk then get divided up and are led around by a student. They are the only ones you can really ask anything as the teachers are mobbed. I've only once been able to talk to a teacher and they only spoke about their specific subject.
It's good to get the general vibe, hear about the school ethos and take a look at other prospective students and check out the facilities, but not really for specific info.

@KendrickLamaze
Your LA should publish data regarding distance from home to school for most distant successful applicant. It can change year on year. However if it is 0.6 miles, it’s unlikely to go up to 3 miles! Parents probably need to look for this info before visiting.

I have contacted the 3 we are going to Open Evenings for, with questions ahead of the event. 2 of those schools have responded with replies from either the Head or Deputy Head. 1 has failed to reply so in my mind that is automatically a black mark against transparency/parent interaction. 1 of the schools (the one where the Head resonded) has then sent me a follow up email to check I understood the answers and to contact them again if I had any further queries. Seemed very approachable and actually concerned that I was satisfied, funnily enough it was the school that was top of my list anyway and has consistently the best results.

@twistyizzy would you mind providing info on the kind of questions you emailed the schools about please?
this thread is v useful as also looking at schools but not sure what to look for/ask etc

@Zoozoo101 I asked:

• their GCSE results for 2022 as the official ones haven't been released yet by DfE. Not just the maths/English but the overall % for 9-7 and 9-4 for all subjects
• how many girls every year go on to do A Levels in STEM subjects
• what their homework policy is and frequency
• how they stretch able children in every lesson
• what extra curricular clubs are on offer
• which subjects do they set for and at what stage
• how are parents informed about, and engaged with, behavioral issues and poor performance
• how do they ensure middle of the road kids are kept engaged and pushed to higher achievement

@twistyizzy thank you - great questions and much appreciated 😀

Anyone going to the Mount House even fay on 24th September?

I just signed my year 8 up to volunteer there from 9am-11am. Not sure what impression she will make to prospective parents 🙈but she does love the school 😂

open day*

@TizerorFizz agreed but I would never have assumed the radius would be so small. Essentially there is a fire station and a big Tesco in that radius with no houses so unsure how it works. They have 60 more places this year so fingers crossed.

I got the best info from the students showing us round. I asked them who their favourite teacher was and who the worst one was and their favourite subjects and where they went for break times etc, also what happened if there was any bullying or fights. They're on their best behaviour obvs but not quite able to keep their reserve up. I was completely put off a school by a student who stopped showing our group around to stand giggling and engage in horseplay with a group of boys we came across, her focus was completely gone - it cemented my decision to send dd to an all girls school!

@KendrickLamaze
The LA info should tell you numbers in each category of admission. 60 extra places sounds more hopeful though. They might get lots of siblings some years. Or SEN with the school named. Plenty of DC get into schools other than on distance.