Information on Schools

Before deciding which school is right for your child, you should collect as much information as possible about the schools you are interested in.

All schools publish a prospectus, which should give information about the school, including subjects on offer, extra curricular activities, arrangements for school meals and school uniforms, policies on behaviour, discipline, special educational needs etc.

Visit the schools you are interested in. This will give you first hand experience of the facilities and teaching staff and allow you to ask any questions you may have. Open evenings are usually held for Secondary Schools and these will be in the autumn term. View the Primary and Secondary Education in Middlesbrough booklet for the dates.

View reports published by The Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED). This is the Central Government Office, which is responsible for carrying out inspections of all schools. OFSTED reports can be obtained from the school concerned (there may be a small charge to cover photocopying costs). They are also available on the Internet at www.ofsted.gov.uk . Alternatively they should be available in your local library.

School Attainment Tables (formerly known as Performance Tables) can be obtained from the Department for Children, Schools and Families be telephoning 0800 242322. Alternatively they should be available in your local library. They are also available on the Internet at www.dcsf.gov.uk/performancetables/ Please note that Attainment Tables should only be used as part of your overall decision about the school you feel is most appropriate for your child.

Further information on choosing a school is also available on www.direct.gov.uk