Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:49:19 GMT
Latest NewsChoosing the best primary school
Gina Pearce, mother of two, is bewildered. Like thousands of other parents trying to choose a good primary, she’s spent the last few months scouring brochures and visiting schools to find one that will best suit her eldest child, Magnus.
“It was confusing,” admits Pearce, of north London. “There are league tables and Ofsted reports and all these ways of choosing. I started off taking Magnus round schools to see how he reacted, but I had to stop because it was stressing him.”
Now time is running out: Friday is the final deadline for applying to state primary schools; for many prep schools March 1 is the crucial date by which parents are asked to choose.
Families have traditionally spent more time, angst and money on selecting a secondary school. But, increasingly, experts warn, the “wrong” first school can be disastrous.
In the television programme The Unteachables a few years ago Bright-on teenager Grace memorably unleashed a volley of swear words at her teacher. It emerged that Grace’s disaffection with education could have stemmed from an unhappy time at an academic primary, where she felt “thick” and her sports ability was neglected. The result? Aged 13, she switched off from learning.
The moral? Try to find a school that will suit your child, with all his or her foibles, talents and preferences.
Some parents move house to get into the catchment area of a good primary. Estate agent Rob Wightman upped sticks and settled his family in the village of Kings Somborne, Hamp-shire when it was time for his eldest, George, 6, to begin education. Now four-year-old Tilly has applied to join George at school in the autumn.
“We chose a village with a good primary. It’s small, had a great Ofsted report, the children were chirpy when we visited and other parents in the village raved about it,” says Wightman, who is delighted with the outcome.
“George loves school. He was star of the week recently and he’s gone up a grade in his reading book.”
Education consultant and former schools inspector Bill Laar says making sure that the pupils look happy when you visit is an important test.
Other essentials, says Laar, include a reasonably high position in the national tests league tables; a “rich” curriculum; a low turnover of teachers; a well-looked-after playground (with plenty of space for games, important for boys); enough computers to get to grips with technology and, crucially, an inspirational head teacher keen to work with parents.
After years of a focus in primary schools on achieving high test results in maths and English, many experts now believe that a rich curriculum, featuring art, music, sport, a foreign language, dance and drama is just as important for young children.
Comparisons of the two schools at the top of The Sunday Times’ Parent Power tables for 2007 reveal that both the Royal grammar school in Newcas-tle (our top prep) and North Cheshire Jewish school (our top state primary) offer a panoply of clubs, concerts, plays, languages and sports.
Whether to opt for state or private is an issue Chris Woodhead tackles in his panel, right. But with one in four children leaving state primary schools unable to read or write properly, parents need to be careful. For the performance of all state schools in tests in maths, English and science, visit www.dcsf.gov.uk/performancetables.
In 2007 71% of 11-year-olds achieved level 4 or above in maths, English and science, the level expected at this age. Schools below this level should set alarm bells ringing: parents will probably feel most comfortable with schools that achieve at least 80%. Look for an improving position in the tables year on year.
In the end Pearce, a former prison governor, is falling back on her gut instinct. “If there’s a good atmosphere in a prison then you know it’s a good one. I decided it’s not that different when you’re looking for a school!”
Additional reporting: Amanda Blinkhorn
Source: Sian Griffiths - The Sunday Times
