Questions worth asking on a school open day

An open day is where data meets reality — it's your chance to check whether what you've read on paper matches what the school actually feels like. A little preparation goes a long way, since it's easy to leave with a general impression rather than real answers. Here's a working list, grouped by what they'll actually tell you.

About teaching and academic life

• How do you support pupils who are finding a subject difficult, and separately, those who need more stretch and challenge?
• What does homework look like at each year group, and how much is expected?
• How do you communicate with parents about how their child is doing, beyond the annual report?
• What's your approach to preparing pupils for SATs / GCSEs, and when does that preparation start?

About wellbeing and pastoral care

• How does the school handle bullying, in practice — not just the policy, but what actually happens when something's reported?
• Who would my child go to if they were struggling with something, and how accessible is that person day to day?
• What extracurricular and enrichment activities are actually running this year, not just listed as available?
• How does the school support pupils through big transitions — starting Reception, moving to secondary, or a family going through a difficult time?

About additional needs and inclusion

• What SEND provision does the school have on-site, and what happens if a need is identified after my child has started?
• How are pupils with additional needs included in mainstream lessons and activities, rather than separated out?
• Can I speak to the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) directly, either today or afterward?

About the practical, day-to-day stuff

• What does a typical day actually look like, hour by hour?
• What are the arrangements for breakfast club, after-school care, or wraparound care, and what do they cost?
• How full is the school currently, and how has that affected class sizes in recent years?
• What's the uniform, and roughly what should we budget for it?

Questions that reveal more than they might seem to

• "What's something you're currently working on improving?" — a school confident enough to give a real answer (rather than "nothing, everything's great") is usually a good sign of honest, reflective leadership.
• "What do parents most commonly ask you, and what's the honest answer?" — this often surfaces things a formal Q&A session doesn't.
• "Can I speak to a current parent, not just staff?" — many schools will connect you with a parent ambassador or PTA member if asked, and hearing directly from a family already there is often the most candid perspective you'll get all day.

After you leave

Write down your honest impressions the same day, while they're still fresh — after visiting several schools, first impressions blur together faster than you'd expect. A short note on how it actually felt, alongside the answers you got, is often more useful later than relying on memory alone when it's time to rank your preferences.