John Bond, Headmaster of Warwick Junior School, on the careful process of preparing children for a smooth transition to their senior school
The move to a senior school at 11+ or 13+ can be a daunting one, and it is important that schools and parents work together to support children in making the transition successful. Supporting pupils – and their parents – as they approach the next step in their educational journey has been a key part of my role throughout my teaching career. My first teaching role was as a Year 6 teacher, supporting pupils through their SATs and their move to local secondary schools.
This process is not purely an academic one – the pastoral, organisational and emotional needs of pupils are just as important as they prepare for the transfer to their new school. It is vital that pupils are supported academically, ensuring they join the senior school with a strong foundation upon which to build in the coming years.
Pupils may need to prepare for admissions tests or assessments. At Warwick Junior School, for example, we provide support groups to those pupils who need extra assistance in English and Maths from Year 5. All pupils also receive support in developing their verbal and non-verbal reasoning skills, in preparation for entrance examinations, through a weekly lesson and online practice.
In preparation for the move, it is important to support pupils to develop a breadth of knowledge, and to practice applying their knowledge and skills to different contexts. At home, engaging in discussions over current affairs and visiting sites of interest such as castles, galleries and theatres will broaden understanding and general knowledge. It goes without saying that children should be encouraged to read.
Developing a breadth of experience also extends to taking up different opportunities, whether this be through sports clubs, drama/music groups or work in the community. To assist this, we have developed a Diploma programme which encourages the boys to invest in their personal development through taking up a range of academic, artistic, sporting and personal challenges.
Supporting pupils in becoming more familiar with their prospective senior school helps enormously. Many schools encourage pupils to join them for taster days and provide opportunities for them to meet their classmates and for parents to make links with other families. At Warwick Junior School, we are very fortunate to occupy the same site as Warwick School and the other Warwick Schools Foundation schools.
Developing greater independence is another aspect of preparing children for senior school. They will need to become more confident and take responsibility for themselves and their belongings. All schools will work hard to support new pupils so do not think that your son or daughter will be left to sink or swim on day one, but the more that can be done to encourage resilience and independence the easier the transition will be.
I would encourage parents to resist the temptation to ‘micromanage’ their child as they move from Year 5 to Year 6. Children have to learn to stand on their own two feet, from being responsible for bringing their games kit home to completing their homework on time – also taking the consequences if something isn’t done.
The transfer to a senior school can be a challenging time for families, but planning ahead and working with your current school is key in improving the chances of a successful transition.
Warwick Junior School warwickschool.org/junior-school
Further reading: Kew Green Prep on wellbeing in action
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