School open day checklist: what to look for (and how to compare schools fairly)

Open days can blur together - especially if you're visiting several schools in a short period. You come home with a nice feeling… but not much you can compare.

This checklist is designed to help you spot what matters quickly, and take notes you can actually use afterwards.

Before you go: pick 3 priorities

Choose three things that matter most for your child. For example:

• ●Calm, consistent behaviour
• ●Strong reading/writing foundations
• ●SEND support and inclusion
• ●Pastoral care and wellbeing
• ●Stretch for higher attainers
• ●Wraparound care / clubs
• ●Practical commute

Write them down. You'll judge schools more fairly.

On arrival: observe transitions

Transitions are where school culture shows up: arrival, lining up, moving to assembly, changing lessons, break and lunch movement.

What to look for

• ●Calm adult tone (firm but not shouty)
• ●Children who know the routines
• ●Small issues corrected early
• ●Staff presence in corridors and playgrounds

In classrooms: look for learning behaviours (not performance)

You don't need to assess teaching style. You're looking for whether children are learning well.

Signs of strong classroom culture

• ●Clear instructions and predictable routines
• ●Teacher checks for understanding (not just "any questions?")
• ●Children stay engaged without constant correction
• ●Small group support is integrated, not chaotic

Quick questions to ask

• ●"How do you know who hasn't understood?"
• ●"What happens if a child falls behind mid-year?"

Break and lunch: watch supervision and inclusion

Breaktime can be where children thrive - or struggle.

Look for

• ●Enough adults and visible supervision
• ●Inclusive play (not just a few children dominating)
• ●Conflict resolution style (restorative vs punitive vs ignored)
• ●How staff help children who are lonely or overwhelmed

Ask about support without making it awkward

Even if your child has no SEND diagnosis, ask how the school supports different needs.

Good schools can explain: classroom adaptations, how the SENDCo works with teachers, and how support escalates when needed.

Ask about parent communication

This matters more than you think. Ask: how teachers communicate day-to-day, how quickly concerns are handled, and what happens if a parent is worried.

A school with strong communication usually feels easier to navigate as a family.

The note template that makes comparisons easy

Straight after each visit, write:

Then rate the school 1–5 on your three priorities.

A final tip

Visit once outside the official open day (if you can). A short normal-morning visit often tells you more than a polished tour.