There is a lot of news running around the broadsheets and the internet about public primary schools, yet you always have to start with choosing the right public primary school for your children, and to do that you need to get the facts.
The other term used along with Public Primary Schools is Government Primary Schools, and both of them are co-educational. Most young individuals attend 4 terms of reception (the name for the first year of school) and 4 terms of pre-schooling.
Most of the time, primary schools cover reception up to the 7th year.
- Most of the children who attend public schools are those who live near these schools
- Parents have an option of sending their children to a different school, if the school has available vacancies to accept the request and they are not under enrolment pressure.
Some, if not all, primary schools are required to limit the number of children they can accommodate, as they give a high priority to children who are living in a specific zone or area near the vicinity of the school.
There are public primary schools that are located on the same site as the high school. Schools might be called:
- R – 12 schools – This is reception up to year twelve
- Area schools – These are public schools situated in rural zones or areas
- Colleges – Almost all colleges are R-12 schools
Choosing The Right Public Primary School
The decision that parents make for the education of their children is critical, especially in the early years. To find the right public primary school, it is necessary that you get their website addresses and contact details. Calling them to ask for specific information and visiting their website to know their mission and vision including their history, reputation and the like is an important first step.
Below are a few of the factors that can help you get the right public primary school for your children:
- Size of the public primary school
- Classroom environment and the teaching methods
- The available support programs they have for children that have special needs
- Focus of their school curriculum or their educational programs
- Uniform policy
- Reporting and assessment procedures
- Available resources
- Homework expectations
- Available services for children who are non-English or who cannot understand and speak the language
- Communication between school and home
- Extracurricular activities
- Learning programs they offer
- Student leadership and participation opportunities
- The opportunities for parents to be involved in school activities and children’s overall learning
To choose the right public primary schools, reading the latest news about them may help, but considering the below is mandatory:
- View their website
- Visit the school
- Get a schedule to meet the staff and principal
- Request a copy of important paperwork like school rules, annual reports, and behaviour management policies
It is a must that you get all the information you need before you enrol your children to any public primary schools available in your area.