DD starts school in May and we have to start making decisions about where she'll go. I've narrowed it down to 2 schools. The one is a rural school - basicly around the corner from us and the other is a integrated christian school in town. Both have smallish classes.

I'm going for a school visit Thursday to the rural school - just me checking the school out. And DD and me will do a visit to the Christian School's preschool on Thursday. So what's the things you look for in a school? What's the questions you need to ask? What will tip it to one or another for you? I'm starting to obsess about it and I can't make up my mind.

HELP!

PP, if you want to pm me the names of the school i can cast a prof eye over their eros if you like, to see if there is anything in there that might make you think.

Is there any reason why you are going to the preschool of the Christian school rather than the actual school?

Really you want to talk about any particular interests you have. Things like

-policies for behaviour management
-homework
-sporting invoovlement and other opportunities as they move through the school (some schools dont take part in inter school stuff, if DD turns out sorty that might be a loss)
-how they handle playground disagreements
-bullying
-how they support more able learners/children who might be having dificulty (this is a particular thing for me, I have a real bug bear for schools that neglect one or the other as I feel it shows a disregard for genuinely caring for all children's needs)
-parent-school relationship (like do they happily have parent helps, stuff lik that, if you are wanting to do that sort of thing)
-home school partnership stuff - letters home etc
-integration of ICT technology - their answer will depend on your belief of their importance


Thats off the top of my head, i nkow there are loads of other things too lol.

What Fel said

When I did a school visit with DS he was in the classroom while parents got a chance to vist with the DP or AP, they talked about the school, the behaviour policy (they have a system that is quite systematic), their peer mediation policy, etc. It was very interesting. They had a friends of the school person talk to us about their role in supporting the school and what we could should we be able to help - they don't have parent help in the classrooms although you can offer to the individual teacher but they have a group of parents who do stuff in the library for various classes once a week.

Personally, I go for the vibe as well. You can get a lot from the feel of a place.

Also, talk to parents whose children are there. And not just people who have chosen one over the other but those who are actually there... some people can be pretty anti school for lots of reasons or want to justify their own choices so you do have to be careful whose opinions. We got told a whole bunch of stuff by someone we knew who had no formal connection with the school so we talked to parents AND people who worked in the school to clarify and it was total nonsense.

If you are considering sending your child to the actual school rather than the preschool I'd probably try to visit the school too as a preschool is run on such different lines... unless you want your DD to attend the preschool before the school. And depending on the denomination of the Christian school its also worth finding out whether there are any requirements for entry (for example, Roman Catholic integrated schools require baptism for entry but will take a percentage of non-baptised children as well).

All the best with your choice.

One other thing, I'd add. Make sure that what you're being told is actually the school's stance of things, and not the opinion of the actual teacher or staff member, IYKWIM.

I know our local primary school who had one very opinionated teacher, who would give her personal views on things, which weren't always the same as the school's vision on things. And some parents, especially new parents, are gullible enough to believe her, as the way she said things was as if she was an authority of the subject.

This teacher has since left, but there are still incorrect ideas, in the community.

Also some people view that a small school is better. But sometimes, (not all the time), there are less opportunities at smaller schools espcially for some of the team sports, if they can't get the numbers say for a interschool soccer tournament. Does depend on what your child's strengths/interests are, as to whether this is relevant for you.

Also, I think as a parent, what makes a good school, varies from parent to parent, as to what is the best fit for their kids, taking into account their personalities, learning styles, any particular needs or strengths etc.

Good on you, for going along with an open mind, and asking here, so you can make an informed decision, and not just be swayed by heresay from other parents, etc.

Thanks for the advice. Fel thanks for all those things - gives me something to talk about with the principal. I'll pm you the names of the school - I had a look at the ERO reports, and both looks pretty positive, but maybe you'll be able to see other things.

I'm taking her to the preschool, cause thats the kids that will be in her class and her friends. Its more so that I can get an idea of how she feels with them. The preschool is run at the school by a couple of the parents. We'll also go to the local playgroup (haven't gone since she was one cause I went back to work) to see how she interacts with those kids - they'll all go to the local rural school.

I know the Christian School quite well, cause I do a bit of relief teaching there, although mostly in their college part of school. Things going for the Christian School: I like how the kids still have a decent value system (or one that I like) how polite, hard working, focused and confident the kids are in the school. DD is a bit easily influenced and not all that confident and I think that will be a good environment for her. But it is a very small community with very set ideas about christianity, ect. I'm just affraid it might get a bit intense.

The rural school is close to home, we'll be part of our local community. The school has a very good name - people outside of the zone will try to get their kids in there. Apart from that I don't really know a lot about the school - so thats why I'm going for the visit.

Because both schools are quite small they don't offer much in the form of sport or other extra mural things. Its a bit of a negative for me. DD is quite sporty and musical and I would like her to do both, and it would be way easier if she does it through school, but I guess for me its more important to have small class sizes. I know in a big class she'll get "lost" - she is a space cadet! I'll just have to find some clubs she can do all the things through...