Choosing a school (for 2013)- yes, I know I'm early, but bear with me!

[Galena]

DD was born at 27 weeks and has mild cerebral palsy. She is not affected cognitively (taught herself to read at Christmas aged 2yr 9mo - I know that doesn't make her a genius, but she's bright), however, physically she was a late walker, not walking till 2yr 2 mo and still very wobbly. She can't run, jump, etc and tires easily. She has a wheelchair for distance use and barely copes with a morning at playgroup before she collapses in a sobbing heap because she's tired.

There are 3 local schools near here - let's call them A, B and C.
A is the church school connected to the church we attend regularly. There are 200 pupils on roll and it has an 'Excellent' Ofsted rating.
B is a school which was in special measures a number of years ago (2007), however now has a 'Good' Ofsted rating. It has 100 pupils on roll.
C is the closest school. It is a separate infant and junior school. The infant school has 210 pupils and 'Good' rating, the juniors has 300 pupils and 'Excellent' rating.

I plan on contacting each school soon to visit them. However, I have no idea how to go about choosing a suitable school for her. I don't know what questions to ask them. Any suggestions?

Thankyou so much, that is really helpful! I shall look at the ipsea website this morning. And those bullet points are really helpful... we have: poor balance, wheelchair for distance, dafos, assessment next week for lycra shorts/leggings (and her physio is the lycra person so we know she'll be getting them!) And frustration. Food is the only thing that isn't an issue!

Thanks again. :)

Further update: Went to visit school B today (moved the visit forward because I was keen to see it). We went in and the secretary greeted DD by name, then said hello to me. The head came out to meet us before a governor's meeting, chatted to DD for a couple of minutes and then began talking to me about the adaptations they'd been thinking might be needed if DD came to the school.

Then we looked round the school and each class teacher greeted both me and DD, and the children said hello. Then we went into the Reception class and DD went to look at the fish, snails and stick insects with the other children. I went to look at the outside area and she went out too, at which point a few of the children put their coats on, came out and played in the sand and water with her - but very kindly and not trying to muscle her out, iyswim. There are 2 steps down to the outside play area in reception, but they think it would be quite easy to add handrails for DD. I'm very impressed, and very keen for DD to go there.

There is a playgroup onsite (although a separate entity), and I've seen the room that they use but the leader is on holiday this week so I will speak to her and arrange a visit next week when she's back. Not sure if we've left it too late to apply for a place there in Sept though.

I've also had a frustrating day trying to work out who to get hold of at the LA - and trying to find out how to get hold of them! I've finally found a name and got an email address and possible phone number. That's tomorrow's job, I guess.

If you had a good relationship with the CDC, give them a ring and ask who you should speak to at the LA. I had a shite case worker who was a chocolate teapot, (luckily she has left) but DS's advisory teacher was really good.

Ellen, how stupid have I been?! Of course they'd know! I shall contact them later. Oh i feel so daft...

Have PM'd you.

Mini-moan