8 minute read
How to make an entrance
Blundell’s is one of Devon’s oldest schools
BART WIELENGA, Head of Blundell’s Senior School in Devon discusses how to find the best independent school for your child, navigating the application process, and crucially, how to secure that coveted place
With school tours, you can gauge how happy and engaged pupils are
The admissions process can be daunting, but over recent years schools have become infinitely better attuned to collaborating with parents at every stage.
What can be confusing is that there are still quite different timings in different parts of the country and the process begins much earlier in and around London, and at the bigger schools, than with schools further from the M25.
There certainly are advantages to starting the process early to give yourself time to consider your options, even if you do not have to decide immediately. Making that initial contact with the school, reading the literature, and exploring the website, are all worth getting done early. Quite often, once you have contacted the school, they’ll want to keep in touch with you and they’ll prompt you when important dates are approaching.
Tackling your shortlist
Once the list has been narrowed down to two or three schools, visiting them is imperative – although not always possible, as the pandemic emphasised (though many schools came up with creative solutions!) At Blundell’s, these visits can take quite different forms. There’s the annual open day, which draws in a big crowd. The advantage of open days is that a family can make a visit relatively anonymously, although the flipside is that you’re less likely to get as much personal attention. We also run regular Saturday guest mornings, which we limit to 10 families at a time. Those are more bespoke and allow you to meet some key staff and to see the specific things you’d like to see. The third option is an individual meeting. Some families go for that first, which isn’t a bad option, but many choose to come to a guest morning or an open day first, if they’re earlier in the process.
From our perspective, the admissions process is a personalised one and we try to be as accommodating as possible. At the same time, working collaboratively with your child’s current school is also a priority, and we work hard to build strong relationships with many prep schools to ensure a good line of communication so that the transition is as smooth as it can be. A personal conversation between the Head and the prep school Head is a normal part of the process too.
One of the most exciting aspects of running a school is recruiting great pupils, so you will find
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PARENT CASE STUDY HOW HENRY DID IT
Charlotte Botting, mum to Henry, shares how they went through the application process while living overseas and during the pandemic
Henry won an Exhibitioners’ Award while applying for his place at Blundell’s
As a Devon-based military family, we knew the Navy would post us abroad. While providing fabulous experiences for the children, we also wanted consistency for their education.
Our first contact with schools in the local area was via websites and brochures, before we were posted to the US. Blundell’s team shone through, with personal contact that answered the most naive questions… could tortoises board too?
We wanted a school that focused on more than grades, and an environment that would inspire learning. Blundell’s Roots and Wings philosophy was perfect, a holistic education, providing the skills and opportunities they need to succeed. Its location allows the children to be day pupils when we were at home or to board close to grandparents.
As entrance exams approached, our eldest, Henry, had been in a US school for two and a half years, including one virtually, thanks to Covid.
Unable to visit or take exams in person, we relied on phone calls and emails to arrange remote exams. We were concerned that foreign curriculums and lockdown disruptions would disadvantage Henry, but were reassured that the processes were designed to look at the student’s abilities rather than specific teaching.
Henry took his entrance exams in his tutor’s garage (due to Covid-19 restrictions). He did brilliantly, receiving an Exhibitioners’ Award!
On our return to the UK, we finally got to visit. Henry commented on how familiar it felt and there were no surprises (apart from the amount of beautiful green space). Confirmation that we’d made the right choice came from the students, who were welcoming and enthusiastic.
However, for Henry only one concern remained when he started in year seven this term.. how will he choose which activities to do first? us eager to work with parents to ensure a good fit between the family, the pupil and the school.
The final decision
If you’re applying to a pre-prep or prep school, Andy Southgate, Head of Blundell’s Prep has some sage advice: “At Blundell’s Prep, we aim to make the admissions process as simple and as stress free as possible, and the key to that is our personal approach towards each individual who expresses an interest in joining our school.
“The process itself is very straightforward, with an initial enquiry by phone or email being met with an invitation to tour the school. We believe every family should be given as much time as they need – after all, it’s a big decision, so all tours are individualised and led by the pre-prep Head or the prep Headmaster.
“If the tours go well, the next step is a taster day, which is a chance for the child to see if we’re the right school for them, just as we’re looking to make sure that they’ll be able to make the most of all that’s on offer here. It’s a gentle process that focuses more on social interactions rather than formal testing. For children joining us from other schools, we ask for school reports and informal assessments will be completed by class teachers as visiting children join in with the normal lessons alongside their potential new classmates.
“There’s no formal entrance exam to get into Blundell’s Prep, but we recognise that we may not be right for every child, so the taster day and meeting with the Headmaster will provide an opportunity to explore any concerns. If all goes well, the acceptance forms are signed, a deposit is paid and a place is secured. Forms will be filled out, uniform appointments booked, and introductions made, all coordinated by our admissions team. As entry to independent schools go, Blundell’s is as welcoming as a family could wish for.”
Taster days are available at Blundell’s Prep
The five steps to sixth form studies and university application success
As this point of the year, both parents and young adults are thinking about how best to approach sixth form and prepare for both A-levels and university applications. From the outside, this can seem a confusing and daunting prospect. Fortunately, Carfax Education is here to help and provide its top advice to support you. Here, Head of Education, Fiona McKenzie, and Carfax College Principal, Carl Morris, will guide you through their top-five tips for students starting those all-important A-level study years.
Be organised
A-level studies will be a challenging chapter in your child’s educational journey. It requires a lot of motivation, dedication and organisation to manage both your studies and the university application process. Make sure that they establish a study and revision routine, organise their study materials and create an effective work space, both in school and at home.
Use your teachers
Teachers know a lot about the subjects they teach, meaning they know how to help your child achieve. They’re a valuable resource, so make the most of their expertise.
Build a support system
The pressure of A-level studies can be stressful. There’s so much to think about and it can become overwhelming at times. That’s why it’s important to look after physical and mental wellbeing. Make sure your child builds a support circle of family, friends, teachers and after-school support.
Consider after-school tuition
This leads us onto the benefits of after-school tuition – not only will private tuition improve study habits, your child’s confidence levels will increase and this will naturally help them perform better in exams and coursework. A dedicated private tutor will also become a fantastic support mentor, and the one-to-one learning environment creates a perfect place to engage, relax and focus on studies.
Get ahead
Even though university might be a few years away, it’s never too early to start thinking about higher education and available study options.
Did you know?
The undergraduate entry deadline for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry is Mid October – three months earlier than other courses. The deadline is sooner than you think!
Make sure that you start learning about the application process, personal statements, and start booking the university open days to help your child in their selection process.
We hope you found this useful, and that your child can keep these tips in mind to help them get started. More importantly, remind them to enjoy their A-level studies. Even though there may be some challenging times and bumps on the road ahead, it’s worth it in the end! Those two years fly by really quickly.
