A childhood filled with imagination, fun and opportunity, both at school and at home, is key to our children’s happiness. James Denchfield, Director of Queen’s Gate Junior School, explains more…
Our children are under more pressure than those of any other generation. One only needs to turn on the news to see what a seemingly chaotic and unpredictable world they will be inheriting. And, as parents, our worries and concerns can impact upon our children as we try to find the best routes for them to flourish. Are we preparing them enough for competing in an ever-changing jobs market? Should they be working harder? Will they stand as good a chance in School A as in School B? Sometimes, through trying to control the controllable and do what is best, we can quite easily lose sight of what they need more than anything—and what we cannot control: a happy childhood filled with imagination, fun and opportunity.
One of my favourite things about the start of a new school year is watching the newly-appointed prefects launch themselves into the projects associated with their roles. Charities Prefects get busy with cake sales; Younger Years Prefects scamper down to the classrooms of our littlest pupils and put on puppet shows; the Head Girl writes and delivers her first speech.
This year, we appointed two Wellbeing Prefects and it only took them a few hours to devise their first initiative: each girl in the School would write a letter to another pupil she did not already know from a different age group, wishing her a happy year ahead and sending thoughtful words of encouragement. What impressed me most about this initiative, as well as its thoughtfulness and sensitivity, was the fact that the girls came up with the idea completely by themselves—and they were so excited to launch the project. It is so reassuring to see pupils coming up with such initiatives without prompting.
It is pleasing to see an increasing number of schools launching wellbeing weeks and mindfulness initiatives, bringing in experts to talk to pupils about being happy and looking after themselves and one another. However, when it is the pupils themselves who launch the projects out of a pure sense of kindness, it seems so much more worthwhile—and a harder standard for a school to achieve.
Making pupils’ school experiences ‘the best days of their lives’ is so important. But how is it achieved?
Well, there is no magic formula; it is often just an attitude which is woven into a School’s fabric. However, there are some things which we at Queen’s Gate find create an atmosphere of compassion, respect and kindness.
Most importantly, school should be fun! From messy play, forest school sessions and daily opportunities to run around and get muddy knees, pupils need to feel free to express themselves and let their imaginations soar. We are very fortunate to have a wide range of excellent extracurricular activities, with over forty clubs; but we also place value on spontaneous enjoyment both in the classroom and on our daily park visits.
Our pupils—indeed all members of our community—feel at home at Queen’s Gate. Pupils frequently tell us that the school is their second home. We are a small school but a large family and pupils think of their teachers with enormous affection; staff know the girls and their families extremely well and there is a great sense of trust on both sides. For parents, it is so reassuring to know that children are receiving individual attention and are being recognised for their true qualities.
Role models are so important in setting the tone at any school. Our VI Formers visit throughout the week to read to pupils, lead clubs (such as Mythology and Just Dance) and launch joint projects such as charity campaigns. My own daughter, who is taking her A-Levels in our Senior School, loves nothing more than returning to the Junior School where she was so happy herself. The warmth and generosity of so many ‘older sisters’ has a tremendously positive effect on our younger pupils who, in turn, are kind and supportive of others in the School. And the success enjoyed by girls working towards their examinations is also a great motivator for those who will follow in their footsteps, borrowing effective study skills and resilient attitudes handed down by their role models.
And there is also great value in breaking from the curriculum on a regular basis. In the summer, we took a full day off timetable and ran a series of life-affirming activities from yoga to music therapy drumming workshops to first aid courses. We are looking forward to a week of wellbeing-themed activities this term as well.
Obviously, academic rigor is important. The preparation for 11+ examinations is an issue facing most pupils of independent schools and it is important that pupils are stretched and supported so that they have all options open to them by the time they reach Year 6. However, increasingly, senior schools are looking for pupils who do not only excel academically but are also equipped with high levels of emotional intelligence, compassion, resilience and collaborative skills. To succeed at interview—and indeed to flourish in their future studies—junior-age pupils need to have the confidence and happiness required to face all challenges head-on—with large smiles on their faces.
James Denchfield
Director of Queen’s Gate Junior School
Queen’s Gate is an independent girls’ school in South Kensington for 4-18-year-olds.
Find out more by visiting their website , contacting registrar@queensgate.org.uk or calling them on 020 7594 4982.
