The sky is the limit

The skyis the limit

An independent school education will give your child a rich academic experience within a broad and balanced curriculum – all while focusing on the whole person – says EMMA McKENDRICK, Headmistress of Downe House, Berkshire

Education is one of the greatest gifts that we can give to any young person in our world today. If you’re considering an independent education for your child, you’ll be choosing a gift that not only offers them a rich variety of experiences, but one that will also equip them with the confidence and skills to embrace and enjoy the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and to play a positive part in shaping their world.

No one-size fits all

Although we sometimes talk about the independent sector as one homogeneous group of schools, this is thankfully far from the reality. There’s undoubtedly a common commitment to delivering the highest quality of education and maintaining the highest professional standards but the way in which this is done is extremely varied. As a parent, you’ll have a huge range of schools from which to choose and it’s important to choose one that’s right for your child and your family. It might be going to a day school, or joining a boarding school as a day pupil, or a flexi, weekly or full boarder. Each offers something very different. You might want to choose a single-sex or a co-educational school, one that starts at nursery and finishes at 18, or one that’s a discrete junior (preparatory) school catering for children from nursery to 11 or 13 which sends its children on to a variety of senior schools. Every school will have its own traditions and a different emphasis from another; some will focus more on academia; others will offer a more all-round education; the range is almost endless and research and visiting schools in person are key to making the right choice.

Independent schools offer exceptional sports facilities

A rich academic experience

The examination results of independent schools speak for themselves. However, this is just a small part of the story! It’s the added value that’s achieved for each child through excellent and inspiring teaching which makes the difference. It’s tailored to individual needs in small classes and, at its best, engenders a love of learning, and often enables students to achieve more than they thought possible. Students are encouraged to support one another, while staff are routinely available at break, lunchtimes, after school and weekends in a boarding setting. For those in need of specialist help, highly skilled learning support departments can complement classroom teaching.

In the best of schools, the curriculum will be continually re-evaluated to ensure it remains relevant, broad and balanced. At Downe House, the study of classics sits comfortably alongside our World Ready initiative, which offers girls less traditional opportunities, including the Ivy House leadership programme and our Mini MBA, for example. It’s not uncommon to see a wide-ranging programme of academic lectures, workshops and seminars given by specialists in their field and staff and students readily share their own passions and interests too.

Although one can’t deny that it’s constructive relationships which underpin an excellent education, the importance of a culture of aspiration and the encouragement to achieve your personal best, which prevail in the best independent schools, can’t be underestimated. Inspiring purpose-built, modern facilities juxtaposed with beautiful historic buildings, sometimes in rural settings offering acres of green space, play a significant part in creating an optimum environment for learning too.

Happy and caring communities

Perhaps one of the aspects of independent education that I value most is the recognition and promotion of the value of healthy, happy relationships. The assembly programmes, individual tutoring, highly developed wellbeing programmes help students to understand themselves and their needs, A simple guide to as well as those of others. Our the key stages… schools often have a strong of independent tradition of giving back to society through outreach programmes, school education the Duke of Edinburgh Award • Nursery ages 0-3 scheme (over 95 per cent of • Pre-Prep 4- 7 students at Downe House will • Prep 7/8-11/13 complete the bronze award) and • Senior 11-16/18 charity work for example. The • Sixth Form 16-18 prefects and leaders in our school

THE EXAMINATION RESULTS OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. However, that’s just a small part of the story! IT’S THE ADDED VALUE THAT’S ACHIEVED FOR EACH CHILD WHICH MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Football at Lochinver House Pre-Prep, Hertfordshire

At Downe House, the traditional curriculum is complemented with relevant, modern initiatives

WE HAVE MANY ALUMNAE, AS WELL AS LINKS WITH companies and schools overseas who are WILLING TO OFFER STUDENTS THE CHANCE TO BROADEN THEIR HORIZONS

EXTRACURRICULAR FUN

The vast array of activities on offer in independent schools is one of the major benefits. Offering 100+ different clubs, everything from self-defence to kayaking can be expected. The challenge is often not about encouraging students to take part but ensuring that they don’t take on too much! In my school, as in many others, there will be an expectation and encouragement that everyone represents their house in inter-house events (sports, art, music, drama, and more). Healthy competition exists and everyone learns how to work effectively in a team, use their initiative, and lead. While some will go on to play and perform at national level, for the majority, it’s simply having the opportunity to participate and develop their skills in a supportive environment – as well as have fun – that’s important. You should be in no doubt that there will be opportunities for your child; there’s something for everyone. play a vital role in supporting younger pupils, as well as leading and developing in a range of important areas, such as our environmental and inclusivity programmes.

World ready: life beyond school

Choosing the right path beyond school can be overwhelming without guidance from a specialist Higher Education and Careers team. Preparation for university entrance for particular courses – medicine, veterinary medicine, for example – will be commonplace, as will preparatory classes for US, European and Oxbridge applications. Support from often vibrant alumni networks willing to share their experiences and knowledge is both inspiring and useful. We have many alumnae, as well as links with companies and schools overseas (there are 15 schools across the globe involved in our Global Schools’ Exchange programme) who are willing to offer students the chance to broaden their horizons. While we can’t be sure what the demands of the future working world will be, we can be sure that the more experiences that are offered, the more adaptable and confident students will become.

Some final thoughts

It’s hard to do justice to an independent education in these few paragraphs but as you visit schools, I hope these words ring true. Perhaps the best example of the professionalism and benefit of an independent education was found in the pandemic experience. In my school, as in many others, the full curriculum was taught online from the moment lockdown began. It was complemented by a programme of innovative activities for pupils and their families, the provision of ongoing individual pastoral care and, at a time when isolation was required, the community remained engaged and connected. To return to where I began, an independent education can offer each young person a range of opportunities that won’t just give them the skills to thrive in the 21st century but also the confidence and humility to shape the world into a fairer, and better place.