What Questions Should I Be Asking?
Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators
What Questions Should I Be Asking?
OK, just got an appointment to go around the grammar school we are hoping will be dd's next school. We missed the Open Day back in JULY!! as we are out of catchment and just didn't get to see the info.
As it will be just us going around I am keen to make the most of this opportunity, but don't know what to ask - I mean, to me a good school is a good school is a good school - IFSWIM?
Your advice and guidance would be very much appreciated.
As it will be just us going around I am keen to make the most of this opportunity, but don't know what to ask - I mean, to me a good school is a good school is a good school - IFSWIM?
Your advice and guidance would be very much appreciated.
-
hermanmunster
- Posts: 12894
- Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:51 am
- Location: The Seaside
Hi Snowdrops
good luck for the visit and I have still got my toes crossed for you and DD however as I am finding it difficult to walk and hence will be very glad when the results come through.
I have always found going round on "one to one" visits that the people showing you round are keen to tell you and show you lots and hence the questions you ask come from that. I've never noticed any long gaps in the chat! As for whether it is a good school - the answer is that it is a good school - it then comes down to whether you like the school and whether you think it will suit DD. I am sure when you go that you will quickly have a feeling of whether you like it and whether it is the right place for her.
Keep us posted
HERMAN
good luck for the visit and I have still got my toes crossed for you and DD however as I am finding it difficult to walk and hence will be very glad when the results come through.
I have always found going round on "one to one" visits that the people showing you round are keen to tell you and show you lots and hence the questions you ask come from that. I've never noticed any long gaps in the chat! As for whether it is a good school - the answer is that it is a good school - it then comes down to whether you like the school and whether you think it will suit DD. I am sure when you go that you will quickly have a feeling of whether you like it and whether it is the right place for her.
Keep us posted
HERMAN
Oooooo Hermy, sounds painful, what have you done?
We are being met by Head of Year, a quick chat with him then other pupils will show us round (good to get their views independently!) then back to Head of Year for any other questions.
I know what you mean about the feel of the place. When my son (now 30) went round the schools he plumped for the one he felt comfortable with, despite me wanting another. It all turned out well in the end, he got a Masters in Chemistry, so perhaps it says something for going with your gut feelings after all?
Hope you're feeling better soon.
Any and all suggestions for questions still welcomed though
We are being met by Head of Year, a quick chat with him then other pupils will show us round (good to get their views independently!) then back to Head of Year for any other questions.
I know what you mean about the feel of the place. When my son (now 30) went round the schools he plumped for the one he felt comfortable with, despite me wanting another. It all turned out well in the end, he got a Masters in Chemistry, so perhaps it says something for going with your gut feelings after all?
Hope you're feeling better soon.
Any and all suggestions for questions still welcomed though
-
hermanmunster
- Posts: 12894
- Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:51 am
- Location: The Seaside
Hiya Snowdrop!!!
No injury fortunately- just have the toes crossed in good luck for you and DD and Bougalou and her DD and all the others doing their exams at the mo! Can't manage to have fingers crossed all day as the tiypinj iz bed enufcgh wivoat me crozxikng thu fkingerst!!
Love trips around schools with pupiles - deffo get the inside view ...
No injury fortunately- just have the toes crossed in good luck for you and DD and Bougalou and her DD and all the others doing their exams at the mo! Can't manage to have fingers crossed all day as the tiypinj iz bed enufcgh wivoat me crozxikng thu fkingerst!!
Love trips around schools with pupiles - deffo get the inside view ...
-
laid back son worried mum
- Posts: 4083
- Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2007 1:18 am
pupil questions:
how much homework per day do you get?
Is your weekend occupied with homework as well
or do you have time for your out-of-school activites?
Is a11 your cla55work/homework marked?
how easy is it to get into extracurricular groups?
Which extracurricular groups are always oversubscribed?
Is there a good selection on the dining ha11 menu and are the queues reasonable?
What happens on wet days(where do the pupils go)?
Is the library and computer room open during break time, lunch and after school?
How easy is it to find a member of staff if you have a query/problem?
Do you find being in a selective school cha11enging or intimidating?
Are pupils a11owed to wait inside the school after dismi55al for transport or must they be out at the school gates?
Are bu11ying problems sorted out by detention or exclusions for the perp?
Is there a separate discipline master or is the Form tutor/Head of year in charge of any transgre55ions?
Who was the most helpful teacher you had last year? and why/how?
What do you think of your Headmaster?
How much did the school influence you in your GCSE options?
How much/What does the school do to help you decide on your career path?
What is your favourite subject? Why?
What is your most difficult subject? Why?
Do you often have to share resources?
In the science lab: When do you get to dissect a rat?
Head of Year questions:
Do Yr 7s get a separate play area or staggered lunch times?
Do they have a buddy system or a mentor?
How many 'outside people' visit the school for the lower years? (police, speakers from organisations of interest to the pupils)
Are there any overseas trips in the first year?
How many local trips do the children take in their first year?
subsequent years?
What happens if GCSE options 'clash'? How accommodating is the school when this happens?
How many trainee teachers do they have at present?
How many new staff have they had in the last 2 years?
Are the extracurricular clubs/ activities 'free' or do you have to pay for them?
What is the most serious injury(pupil) the school has had to deal with?
always visit the toilets.
check washbasins and U-bends for suspect items...
how much homework per day do you get?
Is your weekend occupied with homework as well
or do you have time for your out-of-school activites?
Is a11 your cla55work/homework marked?
how easy is it to get into extracurricular groups?
Which extracurricular groups are always oversubscribed?
Is there a good selection on the dining ha11 menu and are the queues reasonable?
What happens on wet days(where do the pupils go)?
Is the library and computer room open during break time, lunch and after school?
How easy is it to find a member of staff if you have a query/problem?
Do you find being in a selective school cha11enging or intimidating?
Are pupils a11owed to wait inside the school after dismi55al for transport or must they be out at the school gates?
Are bu11ying problems sorted out by detention or exclusions for the perp?
Is there a separate discipline master or is the Form tutor/Head of year in charge of any transgre55ions?
Who was the most helpful teacher you had last year? and why/how?
What do you think of your Headmaster?
How much did the school influence you in your GCSE options?
How much/What does the school do to help you decide on your career path?
What is your favourite subject? Why?
What is your most difficult subject? Why?
Do you often have to share resources?
In the science lab: When do you get to dissect a rat?
Head of Year questions:
Do Yr 7s get a separate play area or staggered lunch times?
Do they have a buddy system or a mentor?
How many 'outside people' visit the school for the lower years? (police, speakers from organisations of interest to the pupils)
Are there any overseas trips in the first year?
How many local trips do the children take in their first year?
subsequent years?
What happens if GCSE options 'clash'? How accommodating is the school when this happens?
How many trainee teachers do they have at present?
How many new staff have they had in the last 2 years?
Are the extracurricular clubs/ activities 'free' or do you have to pay for them?
What is the most serious injury(pupil) the school has had to deal with?
always visit the toilets.
check washbasins and U-bends for suspect items...
hermanmunster wrote:Hiya Snowdrop!!!
No injury fortunately- just have the toes crossed in good luck for you and DD and Bougalou and her DD and all the others doing their exams at the mo! Can't manage to have fingers crossed all day as the tiypinj iz bed enufcgh wivoat me crozxikng thu fkingerst!!
Love trips around schools with pupiles - deffo get the inside view ...
Glad to hear you're ok!!!!!
OMG LBSWM, EXCELLENT!!!!! Many thanks for all that, it seems logical now I see it in print. Would never have thought about the toilets, now I know why!!!
Thank you very much.
-
hermanmunster
- Posts: 12894
- Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:51 am
- Location: The Seaside
-
Sally-Anne
- Posts: 9235
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:10 pm
- Location: Buckinghamshire
-
laid back son worried mum
- Posts: 4083
- Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2007 1:18 am
Sally-Anne wrote:Arriving as a Sticky close to you soon! (Including the bit about the toilets.
I reckon the most important member of staff at any school is Mr. J. Anitor.
Considering that the toilets wi11 be a place of refuge in the next 5/7 years (for surreptitious txting to bring forgotten kit to school gates at synchronised time of 10.30am, fixing loose stuck-on eyelashes, crying on friend's shoulder, reining in butterflies in tummy etc etc), one must ensure that the facilities are up to standard!!
