Questions for the Year 7 team
- “What would a normal week’s homework look like in the first term?”
- “How do you notice when a pupil is struggling, and who helps them?”
- “Who is the first contact if my child is worried about friendships or workload?”
- “How do new pupils meet others when they arrive from many primary schools?”
Ask for an example of what actually happens. “We have excellent pastoral care” is less useful than understanding who checks in with a pupil and how often.
Questions about lessons and activities
Find out which subjects every child studies, when options are chosen and whether access to particular subjects depends on later results. If sixth form matters to your decision, ask about its current entry requirements without assuming they will be unchanged several years later.
For activities, ask which are open to beginners, whether places are limited, what they cost and when they finish. An attractive club is only useful if your child can attend and get home.
Pupil guides can often explain which activities they actually use and how they balance them with lessons.
Questions for the admissions contact
Confirm the entry year, test route, further stages and any supplementary evidence. If you are unsure about your address category, ask which policy wording or map resolves it.
Ask where the school publishes historical allocations and what those figures describe. Avoid asking staff to guarantee an offer from an estimated test score: they may not know the future applicant group.
Take a policy question you have already identified rather than asking a pupil guide to interpret formal admissions rules.
What to observe and record afterwards
Notice how staff answer pupils, how busy shared spaces feel, and whether your child feels able to ask for help. An open evening is a prepared event, so ask about an ordinary school-day visit if the school offers one.
Afterwards, record three useful facts, one concern and one unanswered question. Ask your child for their own version before sharing yours. Follow up with the appropriate staff contact on anything that could change the decision.
Compare the visit with the latest Ofsted report, the journey and the current admissions policy. The full open-day guide provides further prompts for different school priorities.
A FEW MORE ANSWERS
Still wondering?
Should we ask pupils different questions from teachers?
Yes. Pupils can describe daily routines, settling in and activities. Staff should confirm policies, subject access and how support is arranged. Treat a single pupil’s experience as one perspective.
Should my child attend the open day?
Where the school’s arrangements allow it, a visit gives the child a chance to ask questions and experience the setting. Check booking and age restrictions before attending.
Does attending an open event improve admission priority?
Do not assume it does. Admission priority comes from the published policy, not enthusiasm shown at an open day. Use the visit to inform your choice.
Official sources
Checked 28 Sept 2026