IN ASSOCIATION WITH
EDUCATION
PRE-SENIOR BACCALAUREATE – THE ANSWER FOR YEARS 7 AND 8
BY EDDY NEWTON , HEADMASTER , MARLBOROUGH HOUSE SCHOOL
EDUCATION IS NOT JUST ABOUT EXAM RESULTS AND A 13 YEAR OLD IS MORE THAN A SERIES OF SCORES . DEVELOPING THE WHOLE CHILD AND INSTILLING IN THEM A RANGE OF SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS THAT WILL SERVE THEM WELL FOR LIFE HAS BECOME THE NEW CHALLENGE , AND ONE THAT WE AIM TO MEET AT MARLBOROUGH HOUSE THROUGH THE PRE- SENIOR BACCALAUREATE ( PSB ).
Now that all senior schools are selecting their pupils in Year 6 , we can look at how and what the children learn in Years 7 and 8 without being dominated by the demands of a final exam at the end of Year 8 . The PSB aims to cover the same material as Common Entrance but encourage a wider range of skills . Why revise volcanoes again solely in order to turn a B grade into an A – is that really the best use of the last 3 months of Year 8 ? Instead , why not develop a child ’ s ability to research and present , far more valuable skills than rote learning for a one-off exam ?
The PSB looks at the whole child , assessing their ability in the performing arts , sport and art as well as in examined academic subjects , while simultaneously encouraging ( and assessing ) their ability to develop independence and confidence , to collaborate and present . At MHS we value these experiences and opportunities that Years 7 and 8 offer children : the chance to grow and develop into selfassured individuals , and the chance to lead and to shine . This is a 21st century approach to education and provides each child with a relevant and rounded foundation to build upon – we believe that it is the way forward for prep school children in Years 7 and 8 .
Marlborough House School offers Year 7 Entry Scholarships to children who show outstanding ability in one or more of six disciplines : Academic , Art , Design and Technology , Drama , Music and Sport . There is also an All-Rounder category where pupils can demonstrate aptitude in either two or three of the above categories . This scholarship highlights the advantages to all pupils of the allimportant last two years of Prep School life in Years 7 and 8 . Applications for current Year 6 pupils open on 20th September 2021 .
For further details , visit marlboroughhouseschool . co . uk .
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