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WHAT HAVE WE LEARNT ? WE ’ RE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET BUT WHAT HAVE WE LEARNT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS ? BY MIKE PIERCY , HEAD , THE NEW BEACON SCHOOL , SEVENOAKS
Some may have had foresight of the emerging global pandemic but few anticipated the closure of schools . I recall a parent collecting his son as the 2020 spring term ended prematurely saying he didn ’ t think we ’ d be back until September . His prediction was not far from the truth .
Much has changed over these two years . Many parents and families have unexpectedly had the opportunity to review their life choices through lockdowns and isolation . With changing work practices – less time in train or office – some have been spurred on to make the move out of London . Some have reviewed educational decisions and schooling for their children : state or independent ; 11 + or 13 +.
In the unlikely event of having influence on government education policy I would resuscitate Middle Schools . Now found in only about ten counties and numbering some 100 nationally , the Middle School 8-13 model works ; and works especially well for boys ( The New Beacon is a boys ’ school !).
Take a year 6 class . Year on year , you will see a broad range of emotional maturity , stages of cognitive , conceptual development – and variety of physical size . For these reasons the Kent Test , 11 + ( and some independent school entrance procedures taken during Y6 ), are prone to error . It is too early for many to be making choices about secondary education . We have seen boys ‘ failing ’ at 11 + but subsequently going on to top universities or , for example , to study medicine .
Many children proceed in September , aged 11 , to their secondary schools where , inevitably , the centre of gravity will be somewhere around GCSE . Some might argue the influence of older children will enhance maturity but , equally , a small boy can find it all rather overwhelming .
13 + transfer is very much the tradition of Prep Schools , akin to the Middle School model . I look at our year 8 boys with pride , many having been at The New Beacon for nine years . We have had an enormous influence on their lives , emotionally , socially , academically , in every part of their growing .
I like to think they can take charge of their lives and learning ; able to ask for help when needed ; confident in company and safe in moral compass .
Recently the Y8 boys did their ESB exams – The English Speaking Board . They have to prepare a four minute presentation ( a long time for anyone to present !), learn a poem and take questions from the examiners . Getting up and speaking in front of an audience – their peers no less – is significantly beyond the comfort zone of many yet it is a practice , an essential life skill , which must be developed . A small but important element in their preparation for senior school and beyond .
This one strand of a broad education – which values personal development as much as academic achievement – fosters confidence . In September , they will start at their new senior schools , work habits embedded , a little apprehensive perhaps but prepared and ready for fresh challenge .
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