Edge Grove Prep School on supporting individuality

Richard Stanley, Head of Edge Grove Prep School in Hertfordshire, on recognising the individuality and character of each child to foster confident learners

The fast-paced, digitally driven world of today presents a very different space within which to educate children. Yet despite the evolution of technology and its daily influence on the lives of children, most schools continue to strive to deliver on a mantra that focuses on educating and developing the individual. Sadly, the stark reality is that such ideals can all too easily get lost amid the busy and process-led world of the school day.  So, how do we navigate around the daily distractions and cut through the noise to ensure a more focused and child-directed approach?

One of the strategies our school has adopted to ensure children are placed at the centre of everything is a daily philosophy of ‘knowing and growing’. This is all about personalising the learning experience. It is a simple but essential strategy that requires us to set out each day to identify the personality of every child in school. Part of this approach is also about delivering the right social and emotional support – recognising the struggles, the insecurities, the anxieties – experienced in a unique way by each child.

This is where the extended family dynamic that exists between school and home becomes so crucial. Teachers need to glean as much insight from parents and their children as possible. It is an approach that requires the development of close relationships, building bonds of trust and working together to bridge any gaps.

“A spotlight opportunity is a moment that allows a child to feel recognised for something they have done, no matter how small”

In practice, teachers also need uninterrupted time with every child in their care even if, during a busy and sometimes unpredictable school day this can sometimes be a challenge. A flexible approach to the learning environment is an important consideration. In particular, setting aside the time to regularly sit quietly with a class in order to really get to know each child takes a lot of careful planning but it is well worth the investment – discovering and tapping into those all-important connection points 

One strategy to make connections in the classroom is celebrating diversity. Another is finding and highlighting those little spotlight opportunities for every child during the course of the school week. A spotlight opportunity is a moment that allows a child to feel recognised for something they have done, no matter how small. If a child leaves school feeling special – feeling that they have made a difference or had an impact on something or someone – they will retain that feeling and carry the positive experience with them.

Every child should be recognised and celebrated for who they are and, in a prep school environment, this is an essential foundational feature that helps to safeguard their future development. Our purpose as a school is to help children reach their full potential, whatever that might look like. By implementing daily strategies, schools such as Edge Grove bring the love of learning to life – creating a more personalised environment where children can flourish individually and be engaged, confident and successful learners.

Edge Grove Prep School edgegrove.com

Further reading: York House School on the importance of thinking both global and local