How to know if a school is nice or not

choco_factory

Hi everybody, how do you evaluate a school before you send your kids there?
(I am not talking about those expensive fee-paying schools)

Does anybody have any idea?

Nevyn

Primary or secondary school?

What is thier pupil to teacher ratio?
What are the facilities like?
Is there an active parents group?
What are the schools rules?
How to they enforce discipline?
Are all the places on the board of management filled?

And asking your neighbours if they have kids.

ArthurDent

Go and visit the school - see how the kids are coming in and out. Make an appointment to meet with principal, Ask about discipline procedures, extra curricular activities, ethos, anything else you can think of. Your child will spend a huge portion of their time in the school, I'm always amazed at how little interest some people have in making sure their choice of school is best for their child, most people spend way more time choosing a holiday! Don't be aafraid to go and ask questions, if the school is any good they will be happy that you are interested. Best of luck

luckat

Ask kids who go there. Look at the kids as they come out and go in. Talk to the teachers. Talk to the parents. Look at the subjects. Go to the open days and look at the kids' work.

Read The Murder Machine by PH Pearse, then ask the teachers questions based on it.

miju

id suggest giving www.ratemyteachers.ie a look see although alot of it cant be 100% concrete the past student comments can most defo give you an indication of the qaulity of the teachers in the school

bounty_hunter

Ring the principal of the school and ask to meet with them to ask questions/see the school. Any decent school will be delighted with your interest and be pleased to find time to give you a tour.