Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Primary Times’ handy tips for open days
School open days are an important part of your child’s educational journey, especially with the transition from primary to secondary school. Most include a tour, possibly by a pupil attending there, a talk from the Head Teacher and an opportunity to meet and chat to some students and teachers. Seize the opportunity to get a feel for the school’s atmosphere and whether it would be a good fit for your child.
Primary Times’ handy tips:
- Visit several schools and compare their strengths and weaknesses
- Be open minded, not swayed by friends or other parents’ opinions – you know your child and what’s right for them
- Listen carefully to the Head Teacher’s speech, they represent the aims and culture of the school you’re visiting
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions relating to your child’s needs/your particular family circumstances if need be
- Take note of the extracurricular activities, clubs or teams on offer and whether these align with your child’s interests
- Ask the ‘difficult’ questions – how does the school approach bullying/mental health issues/identity expression for example, and how are pupils supported if challenges do arise?
- An open day may not always show what a school is really like, so try to visit again on a normal day if you can.
Making Open Days fun for all the family
Your child’s feelings matter too. Encourage them to join in with any displays or interactive activities and experiments that the school are holding during the open day. Use it as an opportunity for your child to find a new hobby or activity that they enjoy. Involve your child by asking which schools they liked best and why. Each of you could score the schools you visit out of 10, and then compare your top three choices together and take it from there.
Happy open day visiting!