Tool
Open-day question sheet
Ten questions that ask a school for numbers and examples, on one page with room for your notes. Print it and take it with you.
Open-day questions: state secondary
- How do you settle Year 7s, and who is the first person I contact if something goes wrong?A named person, not an office.
- How are pupils grouped for maths and English, and can they move between groups?Ask how often groups are reviewed.
- What is your behaviour policy in practice, and how many pupils were suspended last year?Schools hold this number.
- How do you support a child who arrives behind in reading or maths, or who is far ahead?Ask for a recent example.
- What support is there for pupils with additional needs, and who leads it?Ask to see the SEN information report.
- How many teaching posts are filled by long-term supply staff this term?Especially maths and science.
- Which subjects can pupils take at GCSE, and are any choices restricted?Languages, triple science, arts.
- How much homework is set in Year 7, and how is it checked?Ask a pupil guide as well.
- What do pupils do at lunchtime and after school, and what does it cost?Clubs, trips, music lessons.
- Where did last year's Year 11 go next?Ask for the destinations figures.
Ask for numbers and examples. An open day is not an application: check how and when to register.
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