ALL-THROUGH SCHOOLS

ALL THROUGH SCHOOLS. ARE THEY THE ANSWER?

Words VICTORIA EVANS

Junior school, pre-prep, prep, middle school, high school. There is certainly a variety on offer in England. Throw all-through schools into the mix and choosing the right school for your child is not an easy task. Now junior schools are opening senior schools, and vice versa, so could the all-through school model be what you are looking for?

All-through schools typically offer education from reception to sixth form. They can be based in one location, but more often than not, you will find primary and secondary across two or more sites. This means they have the feel of separate schools, with separate heads, but share the same overarching ethos.

Primary aged children can benefit from being taught by specialist subject teachers, say in French or science, and they have the opportunity to enjoy secondary school facilities such as theatres, science labs and sports centres.

One of the biggest pluses for secondary aged children, especially in the private sector, is not having a stressful transition from primary school. While pupils from junior may have to take the 11+, it would be unusual for them not to gain entry to the senior part of the school. Plus, if there is a hiccup on exam day, pupils have the advantage of being known to staff who can make an informed decision about entry. Moreover, moving up with a bunch of established friends makes transition a lot easier. This can have disadvantages for new joiners in Year 7 who find it hard to break into groups, but most all-through schools expand their year group numbers at this stage, which is refreshing for all concerned.

Our education partners at The Good Schools Guide know a thing or two about all-through schools, so we asked them for a valuable overview. Grace Moody-Stuart, Director of Good Schools Guide Education Consultants:

“Finding a school for your young child which, barring mishaps, should take them all the way to the end of A levels can feel like a huge relief for parents. A sense of ‘job done’, as it were. There are many marvellous all-through schools which provide an excellent experience. But despite the many advantages - no entrance exam exasperation for example - and undoubted convenience of having a firm idea of what the future holds, there are reasons why an all-through school may not be right for everyone. Somewhere that was a good fit when your child was four years old may no longer be the best option as the child moves into adolescence. Quite apart from the possibility of them developing unforeseen interests or talents which can’t be catered for at the current school, there’s always a risk that your child can get stuck in a rut or be pigeon-holed in a way which is hard to shake off. Of course, that can happen at any school but the big shift which most children experience when moving school aged eleven (or sometimes thirteen) can freshen things up, broaden horizons and bring about new friendships.”

City Kids asked the head of one all-through school to explain how the system worked for them.

All-through school: ST BENEDICT’S

by ANDREW JOHNSON Headmaster of St Benedict’s

The key advantage is that a child can join a school in the primary phase and know that they have secured a school place in the secondary phase of their school. They are in the best possible place to prepare for their transition to secondary education in their chosen school.

The other advantages are around having access to senior school facilities - for science, sport and the performing arts - and to the expertise of subject specialists; there are lots of cross-phase opportunities, where senior schoolteachers support the teaching of younger children. Attending the junior school of their future senior school gives children a head start because they are already familiar with it, and have formed friendships which they keep as they move to the secondary phase. At the same time, they have the opportunity to make new friends as children come in from elsewhere, giving the best of both worlds. All-through schools also enable senior pupils to take up leadership opportunities, such as helping with sports coaching and mentoring, which in turn provides younger pupils with excellent role models.

‘Attending the junior school of their future senior school gives children a head start’

Continuity obviously gives children a sense of security, which can build their confidence. Girls and boys grow up together from age three to 18, learning alongside each other as brothers and sisters, forging positive relationships. Every single phase of education is new ground, however, with a different curriculum, new intellectual challenges and opportunities and so, whether you stay in the same school from nursery to sixth form, or change school several times, you’re going to have a different experience every academic year.

For many all-through schools the largest intake is at 11+, which means that new children don’t find it difficult to integrate. With a good induction system in place, and a welcoming environment, new starters settle in quickly. I think it’s important that schools actively seek to mix up those who come through from their junior school with those who come in from other schools, so that everyone can make friends and feel a sense of belonging.

Two particular examples of the all-through school model at its best come to mind: the first is our cross-phase science fair, when A-Level science students work with Year 5 pupils on projects such as coding mini robots and discovering exothermic reactions. The other example illustrates the strength of community fostered by this model: our Careers Fair introduces pupils of all ages to our alumni, who return to talk about their various professional roles and career paths.