Future Schools A guide for parents 1 September 2018 Contents Contents Contents ........................................................................................................................................................ 2 Introduction from the Head Teacher ........................................................................................................... 3 List of possible destination schools ............................................................................................................... 4 Timeline for parents ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Types of Assessment ..................................................................................................................................... 6 BOYS’ Schools ............................................................................................................................................... 8 GIRLS’ Schools............................................................................................................................................. 17 CO-EDUCATIONAL Schools .................................................................................................................... 27 The information contained on the following pages is as accurate as possible at the time of production. Parents are advised to check and confirm details with the schools. 2 Introduction from the Head Teacher The purpose of this document is to provide information to assist with the choice of school for the next stage of education for children leaving The Rowans School at the end of Year 2. We are fortunate to be within the catchment area of a wide range of excellent destination schools. Moreover, as school bus services become more of the ‘norm’, that selection is growing even wider as parents are more comfortable looking further afield to ensure they choose the best school for their child. In this booklet there is a list of possible destination schools in the local area, but this is not exhaustive and we will discuss your preferred options in any geographical location. The choice of schools from age 7 should be based on a realistic appraisal of each child’s abilities, their character and their approach to learning. This choice should be made in conjunction with Mrs Hubbard and the class teacher, who will offer honest and practical advice relating to each child as an individual. After reading this booklet it is advisable to visit the website of each school likely to be of interest and request its prospectus. Once these details have been reviewed, contact should be made with the schools which still appeal. Nothing is a substitute for visiting the schools in person and meeting the head teacher, the staff and children. This will give you a feel for whether you believe your child will thrive at any given school. While the list of schools in this guide is not exhaustive, I hope it will provide you with a comprehensive selection of boys’, girls’ and co-educational schools from which to begin your search. Under each school listed, you will find dates for open days, as well as details of how to contact the Registrar for further information about the school. We advise that you always check a school’s own website for the most up-to-date information on open days and registration deadlines. We are here to advise you on what we feel is the ‘best fit’ for your child. It should be a school that will challenge and stimulate them academically and play to their extra-curricular strengths, whilst at the same time nurturing their self-confidence and helping them develop into independent thinkers and learners for the future. Please remember, you are always welcome to make an appointment to see me to discuss any options you are considering. It is essential that you feel informed and well-supported throughout the whole process. We are here to help. Mrs Hubbard Head Teacher 3 List of possible destination schools This list is not exhaustive and we are happy to discuss other 7+ options you may be interested in. Boys’ schools Donhead Hampton Preparatory School Homefield Preparatory School King’s College Junior School Rokeby School Shrewsbury House School St Paul’s Junior School Westminster Under School Willington School Girls’ schools Holy Cross Preparatory School Notre Dame School Putney High School Rowan Preparatory School Surbiton High School The Falcons School for Girls (Incorporating The Peregrines Pre-Preparatory School) Lady Eleanor Holles School The Study Preparatory School Ursuline Preparatory School Wimbledon High School Co-educational schools City of London Freeman’s School Claremont Fan Court School Danes Hill School Feltonfleet School Hall School Wimbledon Ibstock Place School Latymer Preparatory School Milbourne Lodge Prospect House School 4 Timeline for parents Year-group specific Kindergarten, Autumn Term Reception Copy of ‘Future Schools: A guide for Parents’ available to all families. and Year 1&2: Year 1: Spring Term Parents meet with Head Teacher to discuss options for destination schools. Summer Term Parents formally confirm first and second options for destination school choices. Parents should ensure that registrations are completed for the schools they wish their child to sit at. Year 2: Autumn Term Prior to half-term, parents, Head Teacher and class teacher meet to discuss child’s progress, including their readiness for the assessment process. Parents confirm registration process is complete. Formal assessments start for children sitting 7+ entry. Spring Term On-going discussions and support offered to parents by Head Teacher and class teacher during and after formal assessment process. 5 Types of Assessment Each school has a slightly different method of assessing children for entry at age 7. To a large extent, this depends on the number of places they are likely to have available and whether they have their own pre-prep department. Generally, those schools with the most places to offer set a day, or a series of days, when they invite prospective candidates to visit and complete assessment papers of differing types, alongside other children of a similar age from a variety of schools. The tasks given vary from school to school but all require a basic grounding in English (Comprehension, Reading and Writing) and Maths. Some schools also have a verbal and/or non-verbal reasoning test. Specific information can be found on the website of each school or by speaking to their registrar. The more formal assessment papers should not unnerve the children – they are likely to be similar in format to work covered during a school day at The Rowans School. They are usually devised not simply to assess how much a child knows, but also how s/he can use and apply this knowledge. Some schools will invite the children for a short interview, either individually or as part of a group and/ or to take part in an activity morning where they will work in groups, completing problem solving activities or investigations of a practical nature. During an interview, children may be required to read a previously unseen passage, comment on it, discuss a related topic and have an informal ‘chat’. Our children are well prepared for this through curriculum work in Communication, Language, Literacy and Drama. They take part in assemblies and productions as well as speaking to adult visitors to the school, all of which build their confidence and provide valuable opportunities to engage in a more formal style of conversation. The LAMDA exam offered for both Year 1 and 2 each Autumn Term provides an additional opportunity to practice conversation with an unfamiliar adult and to gain confidence in presenting and public speaking. We do not advise that a child is ‘rehearsed’ for an interview as a prospective school is seeking to find out about the child themselves and can spot learned lines very easily! Those schools with their own pre-prep department who do not increase the size of the year group in the prep department (and therefore only offer occasional places), usually invite children to spend a morning within the class they are likely to join. They can then judge how much each child knows in relation to others in the group, as well as how their personality and character will fit in. Whichever the type of assessment, the schools recognise that these are very young children and do their best to put them at their ease. They are trying to get the best out of them and gauge if they would thrive at their school and the children very often come back having thoroughly enjoyed their day out! We ask that you confirm your choices of schools in writing by the end of the Summer Term in Year 1 so that we can prepare each child for the assessments they will be facing in the coming months. Whilst all children follow the same core curriculum, we tailor the activities and papers so that our children are as prepared as possible when they go to visit a particular school, at the same time as building their confidence and avoiding talk of ‘exams’. All children will have practice in sitting timed papers, listening activities, group activities and ‘interview’ situations. Our aim is that school life continues as normal throughout the assessment period with the children fresh and able to go and show their best to their potential future school. We ask that you also avoid talk of exams or assessments and, where possible, avoid discussions about future schools in front of your child, in order to maintain a calm