1. Visit the school
One of the best ways to assess a school is by visiting it in person. This way, you will gain first-hand knowledge of where your child will be spending their day. Many schools hold open days and evenings, where you can meet the staff and view children's work. You can also make an appointment to visit the school and ask to speak to the headteacher. Schools also have Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs). These associations may be able to give you extra information about the school and offer advice on the admissions process.
You can learn a lot from touring the school by observing the children, the teachers and the way they work together. Things to consider include:
The location of the school. Is it nearby? Will you have to drive or take public transport? When your child is older, can they safely walk to school? Remember, long travel to school is tiring for your child, and it may be difficult to arrange.
Observing the children's work and checking the school's resources. Does it appear to be a happy school where everyone is serious about learning?
Finding out how the school involves parents.
Was the school welcoming? Would it suit your child?
2. Obtain the LA booklets
Look at the school statistics on this site and LEA documents for the following:
How many pupils they admit
The admissions arrangements and oversubscription criteria
How many applications each school receives compared to the number of places they offer
3. Obtain the school prospectus
Each year, every school publishes a brochure called a prospectus which tells you more about that particular school than the LA booklet can. You can obtain a hard copy of the prospectus from the school and most have an online version that can be accessed from either the school's or the relevant local authority's websites. It is an important document, so be sure to receive and study the prospectus from all the schools you might be interested in.
4. Check the Achievement and Attainment Tables available by clicking the 'league tables link above.
5. Research Ofsted reports
All the relevant reports are available by clicking the Ofsted link above.
TOP 20 Primary Schools (2006) (Key Stage 2) *Combined
attainment league table
School
Score
Ripley CE Endowed Primary
526
Roecliffe CE Primary
519
Pannal Community Primary
486
Spofforth CE Primary School
482
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
475
Birstwith CE Primary
462
Beckwithshaw Community Primary
458
Glasshouses Community Primary
455
Dacre Braithwaite CE Primary
450
Aspin Park Community Primary School
448
Rossett Acre Community Primary
444
Oatlands Community Junior
443
St Robert’s Catholic Primary
439
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
439
Tockwith CE (VC) Primary
430
Richard Taylor CE Primary School
428
Darley Community Primary
420
Scotton Lingerfield Community Primary
417
Hampsthwaite CE Primary
416
Askwith Community Primary
415
*Combined level 4 and level 5 statistics.
Ripon, Harrogate & Knareborough area
(out of a possible 600, Schools with fewer than 12 students taking exams excluded).
CLICK HERE for more detailed
school performance results.
