If, like me, you’re in the process of exploring primary schools for your child, you’re probably starting to arrange school visits. These visits are a fantastic way to learn more about a school and its environment. During these visits, you might even find that you get a ‘feel’ for certain schools. Don’t ignore this instinct! In my experience, that ‘feeling’ comes from picking up subconscious clues about how well the school aligns with your own educational values.
This is something I delve deeper into through my ‘Five Key Debates in Education’ Framework.
Beyond first impressions, it’s crucial to go deeper. Asking the right questions will give you a clearer understanding of whether the school is the right fit for your child. It will also help you feel more confident and in control during your visit and enable you to compare different schools more comprehensively.
👀 What should you focus on during these visits?
It’s natural for many parents to focus on the Reception year classrooms, especially because this is where their child will be starting. Reception often feels a lot like nursery because it follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, which covers ages 0-5 and is designed around play. This usually means there are lots of engaging ‘stations’ set up to develop foundational skills through play, and this can feel reassuring when thinking about your child’s transition to school.
But what happens after Reception?
When your child enters Year One (the academic year they turn 6), they’ll begin moving through the ‘Key Stages’ that make up the school curriculum up to age 18. It’s important to know how a school manages the transition from the EYFS curriculum to the more structured learning approach that starts in Year One.
📚 Different schools, different approaches
Some schools might start moving away from play-based learning towards the end of Reception year, introducing more structured, teacher-led activities and group-based work.
Others might maintain the play-based approach throughout Reception but switch to a more desk-based, school-like structure in Year One.
Then, there are schools that aim to carry elements of play-based learning into Year One—this is known as ‘Continuous Provision’. It’s not a complete continuation of the EYFS, but it means that some play-based elements are kept to ease the transition.
🤔 Why does this matter?
Firstly, one of these approaches will likely resonate with your personal values. Some parents prefer a more structured, academic environment, while others favour a looser, play-based approach for as long as possible. Knowing the school’s philosophy can help you feel confident in your decision.
Secondly, it’s important to consider your child and your context. For example, while I personally lean toward a play-based approach, it’s not a dealbreaker for me because our son will be one of the older children in his year. He’ll turn 6 shortly after starting Year One, which means he may be more developmentally ready for a more structured approach. On the other hand, if my child were born later in the academic year, I might look for a school that keeps the play-based approach going longer to give them more time to adjust.
⚡ Navigating these decisions
I cover all of these factors and more in my ‘Navigating Primary School Applications’ course, which is now live! Whether you’re looking to feel more confident about your school visits or want to explore how different approaches align with your child’s needs, this course is designed to guide you through the process step-by-step.
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