Is your child due to start Year 7 this September? Whether a private education is the only route for you or you’re considering both state and independent schools, with our five tips, you can find the right school with minimal stress.
A New Year signals a new start. This is perhaps no truer of 2021; we were, after all, glad to see the back of 2020. While we are still living with lockdowns and restrictions and it may still be a little while until ‘normality’ returns, there are still lots of positive things we can do to get 2021 off on a solid footing. These include applying for the right school.
Tip 1: Don’t put it off
Most independent schools are still accepting applications for September 2021 but places can be competitive, so to avoid disappointment, get your application in as soon as possible. If you managed to get your state school applications in by the 31 October deadline, you may still have a bit of ‘application fatigue’, but don’t risk missing out on that independent school you’ve also got your eye on. While we hope that physical tours and events will resume in some form in the not-too-distant future, schools continue to work hard behind the scenes to promote themselves online. This is to showcase the school both to new starters, and, where institutions run a Prep School, to existing Year 6 pupils who are due to progress on to Senior School.
Tip 2: Continue to think ‘virtual’ for now
While there is no substitute for a physical visit to get a feel for a school, current circumstances mean that virtual events have become the norm and may continue to be so for a few months’ yet. Schools are pulling out all the stops to provide as close to the real thing as possible in a digital environment. So, attend as many virtual open events as you can – they’re free, useful and no-obligation, but could make all the difference to your school hunt. Explore all the features, from video interviews to live Q&A events.
Tip 3: Get involved!
At Ashville, an important aspect of our virtual events is audience participation. This may be through a live web chat with our experienced admissions team and specialist teachers, or a live video Q&A with our panellists, where you can ask your burning question and have it answered right there and then. If you want to take the conversation further, we offer one-to-one video calls to get to know you and your child better, and can keep you informed of when we can invite you into the School in person.
Tip 4: Look closer
While schools work very hard to showcase their best attributes in the most effective way, what ultimately sways the final decision will differ from family to family. It may seem, particularly if you’ve checked out a lot of schools already, that they all offer ‘the same sort of thing’. Look closer for what makes a school special. That’s not just what the school says is special about themselves; it’s about what makes that school a particularly good fit for YOUR child and their needs/interests. Ask questions, speak to the admissions team, watch the videos, speak to the teachers, until you find it. By simply following the crowd of where other families from your child’s primary school are going, you may miss that differentiator that will mean so much to your child’s education.
Tip 5: Remember, some nerves are normal
If you’re applying for a secondary school for the first time, it’s understandable to feel some anxiety – the transition from primary school to Year 7 can seem a big one. Even if you’ve been through the process before with another child, we know each child is different and reacts to change in different ways.
Jane Ellis, Head of Year 7 at Ashville, says: “It’s normal and even positive to experience some nerves before starting a new school. We look after each child, get to know them and nurture their interests. Nerves quickly disappear when term starts!
“We offer an outstanding system of support and an extensive induction process to ensure Year 7 pupils thrive in their new environment, whether they are joining us from our Prep School or from elsewhere. This process is designed to help both parents and children feel confident, starts in the Summer before they are due to start, and continues through the first weeks and months as the pupils settle in. We help children to embrace the opportunities and challenges that come with this new chapter, develop rewarding relationships with their peers and College staff, and ultimately, excel in their learning.” For more information on Year 7 at Ashville, visit our website to request a copy of our brochure or to speak to our friendly Admissions team.
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