So I have a couple of school tours booked next week - what should I ask about?

[Cranky Kitten]

XP and I have decided to move DD out of her public school and into a private school. We've had a look at a couple of smaller Christian schools in her local area, checked out their prospectuses and now have arranged for a tour of the two front runners.

So what sort of things should I be asking about or paying attention to? Important stuff for me is class sizes and how much direct involvement to expect from her class teacher, the school's discipline policy (we're moving her due to bullying issues in her current school) and the facilities available. Both schools have in-school music programmes, swimming lessons and sports teams etc.

I know that moving her mid-term is probably not ideal, but I'm hoping that as it's only a few weeks into the term she settles reasonably quickly. One of the schools I am probably leaning a bit more towards as she already goes to Girls Brigade there and so knows some of the kids already as well as being familiar with the location. The other however, is a primary school associated with the high school I went to, so it has it's own attraction there as well.

If you have got your kids in private schooling, what was the clincher that made you decide that was the school for your family?

[njon2]

As a primary teacher, I look at the principal to assess the tone of the school. I have worked in some schools were the principals talked so much rubbish there was no respect from the teachers. The students pick up from this and it tends to lead towards a school that is a bit 'scruffy', unorganised, less respectful than others.

I would recommend enquiying about what their literacy and mathematics programs entail. Many schools still allow individual teachers to create their own plans in regards to both. I believe that this can lead to inconsistencies within the levels as not all students are being taught the same. It is now becoming more common for schools to implement general whole school plans - schools outline what is taught but teachers choose how to teach.

Also, the percentage of students who are at level within classrooms. Many schools do not agree with repeating grades for many reasons, so this can lead to mixed ability groups. A good teacher is more than capable to teach a mixed class, but sometimes the students at the lower and higher end can suffer.

The above also applies for composite classes.

There are so many things to look for academic wise, but you need to also look at the students as you walk through the school. What is their general attitude? Do they have facilities to play? Is the yard mixed or have they grouped it by age?

I hope this helps. Goodluck!