loobylou wrote:
I'm not from Gloucestershire but I would third that advice. I was so surprised, when looking at both primary and secondary schools, that some of the schools that I had rated very highly (based on websites and the experiences of friends) I knew my children would hate and others that I had almost died out, I really liked and could see them liking.
I know that it's not always an emotional decision but for me there was a definite "oh yes this is the right school" moment that trumped any other deciding making process.
+1
And as well as an 'oh yes' moment, there were some 'no way!' ones too. It can just be a comment, or a peek into a particular room, which does it. I always asked children showing me round, 'how easy is it to ask for help if you are stuck?', and the answer to that can be quite telling. As can asking heads about bullying - avoid the school where they say 'we don't have that here', for they
all do - it is how it is dealt with that matters. For me it has always been about pastoral care and staff taking a personal interest in knowing children, and for children to feel ok about feeling vulnerable, which we all do sometimes.