There are many things to consider when choosing a primary school. Depending on where you live you may have a lot of options or very few.
Here are some things to consider when you need to choose the right school for your child.
When choosing a school, not every family has the same priorities or factors to consider. However, there are some things you should always keep in mind when doing your research as these factors will have a considerable impact on any family.
Location and size
- What is the distance to the school, the traffic and the parking situation there? Check the website of your local authority to see if you are in the catchment zone.
- Consider the school’s size and values. Think about what kind of environment will make your child happy and thrive and whether this school meets those needs.
Diversity and inclusion
- Every child should have equal access to education and the ability to achieve the same results regardless of their circumstances.
- Find out what extra support is available for your child if they need it. Also, find out how the school promotes the physical and emotional well-being of students (also called pastoral care).
Childcare
- There are many different types of wraparound care available in different areas.
- You can find out what is available through the local childminders or your school if you need wraparound care. Your child may already be on a wait list.
Connections
- Check with the staff at your child’s nursery or preschool which schools they go to next and if any have a particularly strong connection with them.
- Do you know if your child has friends who are also applying to that school? But don’t let it influence you too heavily as children quickly make new friends when they begin school.
Desktop search
- How active and what kind of content is posted on social media sites?
- How up-to-date is the school website? For advice on Primary School Websites, contact fsedesign.co.uk/websites-for-schools/primary-school-websites/
- Local parent groups can be contacted on Facebook/Twitter to ask questions about the school.
Results
- Don’t make your decision based solely on the school’s performance. They may excel in other areas that are just as important to you.
Learn more about the Learning Programme
- The National Curriculum or Northern Ireland Curriculum is followed by state schools, but some schools may have slightly different teaching methods.
- What additional learning opportunities are offered by the school, such as outdoor classrooms, forest school, or music or sport?
Why the playground matters when choosing
When you visit a school, it is worth looking closely at the outdoor space. Research in Sweden in 1995 found that children who learned through play and experience did better in first grade tests, and still did better in maths and writing in later years, although the gap narrowed.
Outdoor play builds balance, flexibility and motor skills, strengthens the heart, lungs and muscles, and helps prevent obesity and diabetes. It builds confidence too. Children who are wary of climbing at first try again as they watch others, and soon learn that they can reach a goal if they keep at it.
Playgrounds are also where children learn how to get on with each other and pick up social norms, something a screen cannot teach. Researchers have found that school playgrounds have a significant effect on learning and development, and a positive effect on attendance at primary schools. A good playground is a real point in a school’s favour.
