EDUCATION SPECIAL 063
School report
From all you need to know about school opens days and new IB career opportunities to our Star Pupil of the Month, our 14-page education extra has the curriculum covered Caroline Knight
S
t James CE Junior School pupil Sophia Dennett, 10 – with the permission of her school arts coordinator and the help of professional photographers as judges – has launched the
Junior Wildlife Competition for junior school aged children in the local area to enter. Local professional photographer Graham Hobbs, renowned wildlife photographer David Hosking and Head of Photography at Bennett Memorial Arthur
Hirst, will be joining Sophia, a Bronze Arts Award holder, on the judging panel, while Nicky Blanchard, Centre Manager at Royal Victoria Place, has agreed to display a selection of the best entries at the shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells. Prizes include print vouchers donated by Pantiles Cameras, photography books, and a £25 cash prize donated by judge Graham Hobbs.
TO ENTER: From 12th September junior school pupils in the local area can email in
their entries to the Junior Wildlife Photography Competition. This means there is no print cost for young people and it is easier for them to enter. They can submit up to three images of animals at home, in a wildlife reserve, in the wild or in a zoo. They can use cameras or mobile phones, and they can edit minimally but not Photoshop images. • Entries should be emailed to
wlife03@yahoo.com along with the entrant’s name, age and school. Entries close on 31st October 2017. T&Cs apply.
Making the most of school open days
The idea of an open day is to give prospective parents and children the chance to visit the school during a working day so you can get a real feel for how things operate. You’ll be able to visit classrooms and, more often than not, pupils will show you round and talk about their school and everyday life. There will also most likely be a talk given by the headteacher, head of admission or the head of the relevant section of the school (i.e. reception class teacher or head of sixth form).
Open days usually take place in September and October
and are aimed at those looking for a school place for their child to start the following September. However, it is a good idea to start looking around schools at least a year before this – you could go to some primary school open days when your child is three or in Year 5 (aged nine-10) for secondary schools. That allows you to narrow down your choices and then you can revisit the schools you’re most interested in during the autumn in which you need to apply.
1. Take your child with you, after all it is them who will be attending the school and they will notice things that you miss.
2. Look at the work on display – does it represent a broad range of abilities and subjects?
3. Pay attention to the pupils themselves – do they seem happy and motivated? Do they speak positively about their teachers, their peers and school life in general? Pupils are the best ambassadors for any school.
4. Try to keep an open mind and get a ‘feel’ for the school. Write down your fi rst impressions. And don’t make decisions based on individual teachers – they may have left by the time your child starts at the school.
5. Feel free to ask questions, particularly of the pupils as this often gives a good indication about school life.
6. Find out about areas that are a particular interest to your child (this may be more applicable in secondary school or sixth form) such as sport or sciences.
7. Ask about the lunch arrangements – are there healthy school meals available, and what do they cost? What are the other options, e.g packed lunch? Are you able to keep a track of what your child spends and on what?
8. Does the school offer extra-curricular activities – such as sports and clubs? Are there options on hand if you need to drop your child off early or pick them up late?
9. Ask yourself how you found the open day: was it well planned, friendly and effi cient or chaotic and improvised? The overall impression/organisation of the day can give many clues to the general running of the establishment.
10. Remember – listen to your instincts and ask yourself how you can see your child fi tting in and being happy.
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