Managing the transition to senior school can be a period of anxiety for your child and unsettle them but there are steps to take to smooth the big move. It doesn’t help that admissions procedures in the UK vary considerably and more so in London, with places at selective senior schools fiercely competitive.
Finding the right ‘fit’ for every child, as they transition to a new educational context at 11+ or 13+, is a priority and schools take this seriously, with a raft of back-up and support programmes.
At The Hampshire School Chelsea, we want to ensure that each child’s academic progress and personal development continues at their next school with the right level of challenge and breadth of educational provision. To achieve this, we work in partnership with parents and senior schools at every stage of the process.
What we don’t do is channel our pupils into a few feeder schools. We eschew the ‘one size fits all’ approach and make meticulous plans to ensure pupils find the place that perfectly suits their talents, interests and aspirations.
One of the great advantages of being Head of a stand-alone independent Prep School is that we are truly independent of any senior school. We will always encompass the breadth and depth of senior school entrance requirements to seek schools that are best suited to each individual child. Timely information events, 1-2-1 meetings, advice, guidance and considered views from our extensive knowledge of admissions procedures support parents in their decision-making process.
There is too much at stake to do it any other way. A successful transition is not only a matter of being successful in the senior school entrance assessment or navigating the first term in a new school, it is also about having a real sense of belonging and being able to access the breadth of a school’s curriculum.
Part of The Hampshire School Chelsea’s strategy on secondary school transition is providing as much information as possible so that parents can make informed judgements. I have authored an essential guide to the subject which shares insights into how best to navigate the process, whether the family is new to the British senior school application process or well acquainted with the complexity of options at 11+ and 13+.
The booklet includes an overview of the school’s preparation for senior school, explains the 11+ and 13+ admissions tests and provides a list of senior schools for parents’ reference.
Once the decision is made, I encourage parents to follows the induction process which familiarises the child with their new environment and hopefully offers an opportunity to meet other ‘newbies’ and begin to build new friendships. Attend any welcome meetings for the same reason to find out about after school clubs, sports fixtures, homework procedures and the like. Dry runs to the new school could help settle your child’s nerves on the first day too.
Progressing to senior school should be an exciting time for any child but it needs careful attention on multiple touch points to ensure the transition is a smooth one.
As a matter of course at The Hampshire School Chelsea, Year 5 parents are contacted during the academic year to schedule a senior school transition appointment which leads to a robust plan to ensure that every child joins his or her senior school, fully embracing the change, and knowing that it is the next natural step in their educational journey.
I would be delighted to discuss your child’s transition to senior school if I can be of assistance. Remember that it is never too early to have those discussions.
The Hampshire School Chelsea is a finalist in the 2020 ISA Awards for Junior Prep School of the Year, the only London prep school to be nominated, and has also been selected as a finalist in the category, Innovation in Pupil Voice.
Come and see why your child would flourish at our Pre-School, Pre-Prep and Prep School. Find us at 15 Manresa Road, Chelsea, SW3 6NB. Our next Open Days are Thursday 28 January and 18 March 2021. Register your interest and learn more details at www.thehampshireschoolchelsea.co.uk/open-day
Article written by Dr Pam Edmonds, Head of The Hampshire School Chelsea
