Info you need/want when looking at potential SEN schools

[thirtyone100]

Hi. I wonder if anyone might be happy to share the key info you look for when searching for a school for your child with BESD or ASD? I'm interested in how you find out about schools in the very first instance before choosing to find out more details or visit certain places etc.
How much do you rely on the school website for example and how important is this in building your perception of an individual school?

I'm applying for a role in a school and, although I have worked with children who do not attend main stream schools, I've no personal experience of how you as parents make that decision.

I've read some interesting comments on other threads but hope you won't mind me asking you all the direct question. Would be grateful for any info about what is most important to you as you search for the right school for your child/children.

Apologies if this isn't the approrpriate forum for this type of Q - I'm new to mumsnet! I'm not intending to 'sell' you a particular school nor use information for anything other than my own interview preparation. Just would be super grateful for an insight in to how you navigate this process.

I have looked around 9 different schools before choosing one for my son. I always check out the website and ofsted report first and then google to see what other information there is e.g. any reviews.
If its a local school i ask around to see what other people have heard.
I don't rely on website too much because some of them are a little vague. I like to see photo's of the children and their work on the website but that isnt always possible. I like to see some mention of behaviour and sensory awareness and social integration on websites as well but some just give a general overview of the school and you sometimes have to ring for more information.

I get most of my info from visiting the school. I always look at how helpful and knowledgeable the staff are. If the staff are not friendly then its off putting as i think i will have to work with these people for years to come!
I always ask questions about how they manage behaviour and what they would do in certain situations related to my child. I always ask about the profile of the other children in the school to see if there is a peer group and i find out what sort of work they are doing etc.

The school that i have actually chosen for my son is one that initially discounted from looking at the website! You can't ever tell what a school is truly like until you get in there imo.

thanks so much - this is really useful to know (and I'm pleased confirms much of what I suspected) I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. Thanks a million.