Comments on: Researching Education When Moving House http://www.littlemummy.com/2007/09/27/researching-education-when-moving-house/ Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:58:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Dulwich Teacher http://www.littlemummy.com/2007/09/27/researching-education-when-moving-house/#comment-59116 Dulwich Teacher Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:26:12 +0000 http://www.littlemummy.com/2007/09/27/researching-education-when-moving-house/#comment-59116 Without question, you should meet the Headteacher and other staff. Ask about his or her educational philosophy, why they decided to become a leader in education, how they cope with managing a modern day school, what their provision for Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship is like, how many of their teaching staff are newly qualified, the rate of staff turnover, whether there is a vibrant parent/teacher association, future plans, areas of weaknesses and how they will be improved etc. OFSTED reports and league tables can be useful. The former is a report based on the entire school community knowing, well in advance, that they were to be inspected and would have planned in earnest to put on a show stopper. The latter refers to cohorts of pupils from a particular year group....no two are ever the same! Without question, you should meet the Headteacher and other staff. Ask about his or her educational philosophy, why they decided to become a leader in education, how they cope with managing a modern day school, what their provision for Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship is like, how many of their teaching staff are newly qualified, the rate of staff turnover, whether there is a vibrant parent/teacher association, future plans, areas of weaknesses and how they will be improved etc.

OFSTED reports and league tables can be useful. The former is a report based on the entire school community knowing, well in advance, that they were to be inspected and would have planned in earnest to put on a show stopper. The latter refers to cohorts of pupils from a particular year group….no two are ever the same!

]]> By: Little Mummy http://www.littlemummy.com/2007/09/27/researching-education-when-moving-house/#comment-56296 Little Mummy Sat, 29 Sep 2007 08:04:58 +0000 http://www.littlemummy.com/2007/09/27/researching-education-when-moving-house/#comment-56296 I think I'll have a look into whether there is a mother and toddler group...thanks I think I’ll have a look into whether there is a mother and toddler group…thanks

]]> By: Vicky http://www.littlemummy.com/2007/09/27/researching-education-when-moving-house/#comment-56235 Vicky Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:58:05 +0000 http://www.littlemummy.com/2007/09/27/researching-education-when-moving-house/#comment-56235 The only way to really find out how good the school is, is to ask parents with children there. They can tell you the good and bad points. The only problem is finding the right parents to ask! (This was why I set up Little Legends - to help parents who have just moved plug into the local parent grapevine) Hope the move goes well :) The only way to really find out how good the school is, is to ask parents with children there. They can tell you the good and bad points. The only problem is finding the right parents to ask! (This was why I set up Little Legends - to help parents who have just moved plug into the local parent grapevine)

Hope the move goes well :)

]]> By: Kin http://www.littlemummy.com/2007/09/27/researching-education-when-moving-house/#comment-56062 Kin Thu, 27 Sep 2007 09:37:34 +0000 http://www.littlemummy.com/2007/09/27/researching-education-when-moving-house/#comment-56062 It's probably not a problem for you (we're about to move early next year approx 1,200km (745 miles)) but we checked out ALL the options. What private schools were there? Could we afford them if necessary? What about extra educational facilities? Swimming? Music? Drama? Were these easily accessable nearby. Do the schools have open days? It's a good chance to check inside the school (although in Oz they're usually later in the school year). It’s probably not a problem for you (we’re about to move early next year approx 1,200km (745 miles)) but we checked out ALL the options. What private schools were there? Could we afford them if necessary? What about extra educational facilities? Swimming? Music? Drama? Were these easily accessable nearby.

Do the schools have open days? It’s a good chance to check inside the school (although in Oz they’re usually later in the school year).

]]>