View from the Top: Ruth O’Sullivan on the benefits of staying at prep school for Years 7 and 8
For our latest View from the Top, head of Holmewood House School Ruth O'Sullivan discusses the benefits of staying at prep school until 13. Read on to hear why she believes that the all-important final two years give children a real opportunity to shine – and are so essential for helping ready pupils for the leap to senior school...
Traditionally, prep schools went to 13+, but over recent years some parents have been persuaded to move their children early. Sometimes this is unavoidable due to a variety of reasons, but frequently there is no good reason to have to make the move.
When I ask parents why they are considering moving early, it is often because they are unsure of what to do so they panic buy, or more often they have not been made aware of the huge benefits of staying in prep school until 13.
As someone who has worked in both 11+ and 13+ schools, I am a passionate believer in the benefits of Year 7 and 8, as I have witnessed the transformation of many pupils into confident, self-assured young people who are well prepared to thrive in a young adult environment.
By its very name, preparatory school prepares children for senior school. We see that journey really accelerating in Year 7 and 8, and I am often asked why that is. The answer is simple – unlike senior schools, we are experts in this age range, so we are well placed to provide an environment where the children feel valued and known as individuals; one where they can make mistakes, build resilience and thrive, surrounded by people who know them very well. They build lasting relationships, friendships and connections with their peers and teachers.
At Holmewood House, we tailor every aspect of our Year 7 and 8 provision to the needs of children. At this age, life is intense with feelings of vulnerability, self-doubt and insecurity. Add to that the pressures of social media and the exposure to technology, our children have literally trillions of choices at their fingertips. They are seeing, hearing and absorbing more inappropriate age-related content than ever before, which sadly often results in them maturing beyond their years. Staying at Holmewood House in Year 7 and 8 gives them more time to process what they are exposed to and to bridge the gap with their maturing impulses. Self-regulation is a skill that we regularly coach and practise with our Year 7’s and 8’s through strategies such as goal setting, self-monitoring, effective use of self-instructions or self-talk and self-reinforcement. This results in a higher level of self-awareness, self confidence and self-esteem.
Academically, the curriculum really takes off, with lots of skills and project-based learning. The application of the theories and concepts learned in the classroom to real life world problems is vital for future-based jobs. Creativity, flexibility of mind, critical thinking and problem solving both independently and collaboratively, emotional intelligence and digital and data literacy are all skills covered in our bespoke enrichment and leadership programmes. They are designed to challenge our pupils, to reduce teacher dependency and to increase self- and peer-led solutions. Our Year 8’s run the school house system, regularly lead assemblies and run an array of clubs for their peers in areas such as sports, chess, art and coding.
Ultimately, staying at prep school in Years 7 and 8 allows children to remain as children for longer, whilst being at the top of the school and enjoying all of the leadership opportunities and project-based challenges – a real opportunity to shine. The greatest accolade we receive is the feedback from senior schools, who unanimously say our children are excellently prepared for their onward journey.