As parents, we are given the opportunity to choose the school that we would like our child to attend. However, faced with the wide range of school types, sizes, issues such as demonational schools, special educational needs, nursery provision, the process can quickly become rather dumbfounding.
After all, every child is different and to some extent may benefit from different school environments. Here are some common questions, which tackle some of the key issues, which you as a parent will be interested in:
This is a key question in assessing the suitability of the school - pupil attainment. As your child will be taking a number of statutory attainment tests as they progress through their educational career, (Key Stage 1 SATs (Standard Attainment Tasks) at the end of Year 2 and Key Stage 2 SATs at the end of Year 6), pupil attainment information will be available. To make sense of this information, the attainment scores will be compared to national averages to see if the school is stronger or weaker in particular subjects.
The kind of facilities that your child can benefit from will develop as he/she progresses through the school. This will range from play and creative resources at Nursery/Reception level through to Information Technology resources at Primary and Junior level. Sports and PE facilities, playgrounds, a playing field are as important as which Reading Scheme the school adopts. It is also of interest to many working parents whether there is an after school club for late pick-ups.
By law class sizes at Reception level have to be 30 pupils or less. Class sizes do vary from year to year according to local demographic trends so it is as well to find out what the demand is and how many classes there will be for the forthcoming year.
Is there a school bus if my child is travelling from a distance. What are the pick-up points and times? What time do the school gates open in the morning with playground supervision. What happens when it’s raining?
Some schools may have a reputation for being particularly strong in certain aspects, whether it is the good reputation of the school in terms of high educational standards, standards of behaviour, the friendly atmosphere engendered amongst pupils, to mention but a few possibilities. Parents whose children already attend the school are the best people to ask about this.
The simple answer is no. Denominational schools have an admissions policy, which will give priority to families who attend the related church, as part of their ethos to encourage of links between church and school. In practise, there are a large number of parents, who are either ocassional churchgoers, agnostic or have never crossed the threshold of a church. The church school will encourage its pupils to have an awareness of and be involved in the church as part of his/her broader education. However, neither parents nor pupils are obliged to attend church.
Pupils attending church schools will be taught exactly the same subjects as part of the National Curriculum as pupils attending state schools. In addition, pupils attending church schools are likely to have school assemblies with predominantly Christian themes, there is likely to be a classroom culture based on Christian values and with reference to Christian ethics and links with the local church will be fostered through family services and the opportunity at junior level go through confirmation classes, to those who are interested. Of course, many of the same positive values will be fostered in non-Church schools. It’s more a question of identity and ethos.
It’s hard enough deciding on the right primary school, but it is worth while finding out which secondary schools the school feeds into.
This is a really important consideration. It’s a huge step for any child starting school and as a parent having the reassurance that the teachers are friendly and approachable is an absolute must. It’s tremendously beneficial for you as a parent, of course, for your child but also for the teachers to be able to maintain an open dialogue about how your child is settling in, how any problems are being dealt with and to get the positive feedback that puts your mind at rest.
The school will no doubt have policies on discipline and bullying, which are worthwhile studying. Children being children wouldn’t be human if they weren’t naughty at some time or other so it’s worthwhile asking what approach is taken to everyday playground squabbles, laziness in the classroom etc..
From your child’s point of view, this is probably the most important question !! “How did you get on in school today, son? ... Well for pudding we had donughts. Fantastic.”