A school visit tells you things that no website or league table can. It is your chance to see how teachers speak to children, how pupils behave and whether the place feels right for your child. This guide gives you a plan for the visit, and the questions most worth asking.
Before you go
- Read the school's website, latest inspection report and admission policy so you can ask better questions.
- Decide your priorities as a family: for example, pastoral care, academic stretch, music, sport, or support for particular needs.
- Think about your child. If they are old enough, take them or ask what they liked.
- Book early. Popular schools run limited visits.
What to watch on the tour
The children. Do they seem happy, polite and engaged? How do older and younger pupils behave around each other?
The teachers. Do they speak to pupils with respect and warmth? Is the learning active and purposeful?
The atmosphere. Calm and orderly, or chaotic? Positive displays of children's work are a good sign.
Safety and care. Notice how visitors are checked in, how corridors and playgrounds are supervised and how children seem to feel about asking for help.
Facilities. They matter, but less than people assume. A school with older buildings and excellent teaching beats the reverse.
Questions for the school
Teaching and learning
- How do you stretch the most able and support children who find things hard?
- How do you assess progress, and how often will I hear about it?
- How much homework is set, and how is it supported?
- Which exam courses and boards do you offer, and how are options chosen?
Pastoral care and behaviour
- How do you handle behaviour and bullying? What happens in practice?
- Who will my child go to if they are worried?
- How do you support wellbeing and children who are anxious?
- How do you support children with special educational needs?
Practical matters
- What is the school day? Are there before and after-school clubs?
- How do children get to school, and what is the uniform and the cost of extras?
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- How are new children settled in, especially if they join mid-year?
Admissions and the future
- How does the admissions process work, and what are the realistic chances for our address?
- What do leavers go on to do?
After the visit
Compare notes with your partner and, if possible, your child while it is fresh. Rate each school on your own priorities, not on what impressed you most on the day. Ask yourself whether you could picture your child there, on a wet Tuesday as well as at an open event.
Common pitfalls
- Being swayed by impressive facilities or a polished presentation.
- Relying on one visit or one conversation.
- Forgetting the journey. A long commute affects every day.
- Ignoring your child's temperament. A school that suits a sporty extrovert may not suit a quiet, thoughtful child.
What to do next
Make sure you understand how admissions criteria work before you apply, and see the key dates in school admissions in England. If you are choosing between several options, our school and nursery placement service can help.