This isn’t a question that most of us ever ask – and yet it’s something that perhaps ought to be considered, because it undoubtedly has a major impact on whether parents apply for their children to go to your school – or to another.

Of course if you are lucky enough to have a 50 metre swimming pool in the grounds, a set of five-a-side pitches, or a computer suite with recently purchased machines that stretches as far as the eye can see, and then you really don’t have to worry too much.

But if not, then it might be worth thinking: what is it that parents remember when they walk around the school for the first time?

Because if you can get a positive answer to that question, you will be influencing whether or not parents choose your school.

For this is a question that applies to schools no matter what their inspectors’ report or the exam grades that have been achieved. For important though the report and the grades are, they can’t actually be seen.

As a result of asking this question, one primary school in Bolton tried an experiment.

They wanted to have a focal point for all their pupils and visitors – something that all their pupils and students as well as visitors would be impressed by and would always recall.

It’s also something that would gain publicity in the local press.

Something that could be on the front of the prospectus and the home page of the school’s web site.

Something that would interest both parents and pupils.

And something that would have an impact on teaching and learning too.

To see what they came up with click here. We think you’ll be surprised.