Learning how to learn
Our Prep Headmaster, Mr Ian Silk, explains why he believes parents should consider investing in independent education for their children right from Year 3.
The psychologist Jean Piaget, who developed the theory of cognitive development, famously asserted that children’s early childhood experiences significantly impact their development and underpin the adults they become. At the age of seven, when most prep schools begin their work with children, pupils are entering what Piaget called the ‘concrete operational period’, which lasts until about age 12 or 13. During this period, children develop thinking and reasoning skills and begin to think hypothetically and logically. In other words, they begin to learn how to learn. From my own experience, it is clear that by the age of 13, a child’s work ethic, habits, and, most importantly, confidence and resilience are well on their way to being firmly established, attributes that will carry them through the adolescent years and set them up for the rest of their life. Therefore, a child’s school experience during these young years is crucial, and opting for prep school education offers a child the perfect head start and ensures that the stages that follow are smoother, more effective and successful.
With fees rising, parents who are keen to provide their children with the best education that money can buy face an increasingly difficult dilemma when deciding whether to invest early or wait until the secondary school years when small class sizes and exceptional facilities give such a competitive advantage to those hoping to excel in public exams. So why take the plunge early? Why invest from the age of seven?
I have been lucky enough to have taught in both state and independent schools at secondary level, as well as in prep schools, and I am currently Headmaster of an all-boys prep school. I have also had the opportunity to see many prep schools up close as part of Independent Schools Inspectorate inspections, as a member of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), and as a governor. There is no doubt that British prep schools provide a genuine world-class education. Starting independent education from a young age gives children an exceptional educational foundation for life in a nurturing environment that supports their intellectual, social and emotional growth. Prep schools are world-leading for the academic education they provide and the environment they create to give the best possible educational experience. For example, take how the prep school sector pivoted during COVID. The vast majority of prep schools moved their curriculum entirely online within days. At Bedford Prep School, we also enhanced our academic curriculum with opportunities to perform music and drama and participate in sports online. We held our Christmas carol service online, had a bake-off competition, challenged our pupils to do 100 ‘somethings’ (inspired by Capt Sir Tom Moore, the grandfather of one of our boys) and even created an uplifting whole school dance to Jerusalema.
In this article, I explore the many reasons why parents should consider investing in independent education for their children from an early age.
Prep is short for preparatory, and prep schools focus on preparing children not just for the public exam years but for life beyond. They focus on a holistic, well-rounded educational experience. Small class sizes give children the close attention they need to flourish and build independence. They focus on character development and emphasise critical thinking skills, resilience, other vital life skills and an unwavering sense of confidence. Moreover, they develop these free from the pressures of public examinations. These early advantages have a lasting impact on a child’s academic success, character development and overall future prospects. Prep schools prepare children superbly for the emotional and mental changes of adolescence so that when the time comes to take public exams, all the good habits are already in place.
The benefits of starting early
A Rigorous Academic Curriculum
To begin with, prep schools are renowned for providing rigorous academic curriculums, which go well beyond the National Curriculum, and nearly always have some element of character education, as well as prioritising critical thinking and intellectual curiosity. Often, they are free from external assessment. There is no requirement to undertake SATs, and many prep schools have now dispensed with common entrance, allowing them to be free to provide an exciting curriculum that enables pupils to reach their full potential and develop into confident learners with a thirst for knowledge. Independent learning is prioritised, and often children have specialised teachers from Year 5. Superb facilities support pupils learning and, from Year 3, pupils enjoy lessons such as science and DT in dedicated laboratories and workshops.
At Bedford Prep School, we have developed a Future Skills Curriculum, which explicitly teaches a carefully curated set of skills and values to prepare pupils for a successful life ahead and to flourish in this rapidly evolving world. As an all-boys school, we enjoy and take full advantage of the freedom to offer a curriculum specifically tailored to boys, one that allows our pupils to develop as young boys to the fullest extent, free from media a stereotypes, where they can nurture intellectual pursuits without inhibition. We tailor subject matter to how boys learn and focus, building on the idea of healthy competition where clear rules lead to a clear outcome. Here, boys are allowed to take longer to grow up and visibly thrive in the approbation of their teachers.
Exceptional Teachers
Prep schools are also known for their exceptional teaching staff. Not only are they highly qualified experts in their respective fields, but they are also committed to going above and beyond. They have chosen to work in schools that focus not only on academics but also on nurturing their charges’ personal growth and emotional well-being. They are also fully invested in the co-curricular life of the school, often running sports teams and providing a whole host of enriching activities. In boarding schools like ours, many staff live with the children in boarding houses, further enriching their educational experience. Children learn organisation and independence; they learn diplomacy and how to get along with each other. They benefit from a wide and varied co-curricular life, and the opportunities are right on their doorstep. They learn how to make lifelong friendships within a global community, which endure far beyond their school years.
Extensive Co-curricular Activities from Year 3
Prep schools also heavily invest in opportunities for children to excel outside the classroom. They believe in the power of art, sport, music, drama, clubs and activities to allow children to develop talents and interests, which not only enrich their school experience but help to develop leadership skills, teamwork and a strong sense of discipline. Boys at Bedford Prep School can opt to learn to knit, pit their wits against each other in chess and other board games, scale the climbing wall, look after the animals at Animal Care Club, explore the stock market in Investment Club and build for the future in Computer Coding Club, to name but a few. All these activities and opportunities are easy for them to access and available for them to try out whilst still in the safe environment of their school family and friends. The interests sparked at such a young age can lead children to pursue a varied and exciting range of careers in the future.
Exceptional Pastoral Care and Close Attention
However, perhaps the most important reason to invest early is for the exceptional pastoral care that prep schools provide. Smaller pupil-to-teacher ratios ensure that teachers can identify and address individual needs, help to enhance strengths and support with improving areas of weakness. Moreover, prep school staff work closely with parents to build strong partnerships to monitor their child’s progress. Prep schools create a safe and supportive environment in which children grow in self-esteem, feel comfortable expressing themselves, are happy to take intellectual risks and feel the joy of learning. In these nurturing environments, children overcome challenges and grow into resilient young adults surrounded by people who know them well as individuals and care deeply about them.
A Close-Knit and Nurturing Community
Thanks to the above, Prep Schools foster a close-knit and supportive community of which parents feel a part. All are deeply involved in their sons’ learning, and often make friends for life amongst other parents. Pupils of prep schools, especially those attending schools that offer a continuity of education thanks to a linked senior school like ours, also benefit from extensive alumni networks that sustain pupils in life after school and whose members support their ‘old’ schools by providing career talks, offering mentorships and building relationships to help through school. Boys at Bedford Prep School will be part of the Old Bedfordian alumni community for the rest of their lives. They will always have someone they can reach out to in every corner of the world. Their sense of belonging will continue beyond school, and they will have friends for life.
As those with experience in financial investment will attest, the earlier you invest, the better the outcome. The same is true of education. The earlier you start, the better the foundation and the more exceptional the possible outcomes.
The pandemic clearly showed how prep schools excel, not just in their academic offering but also in their wider holistic provision. The speed of change and continued educational excellence demonstrated by prep schools during this period is testament to their adaptability and commitment to ensuring pupils have the best possible educational start and, equally importantly, are both happy and successful. This commitment is as strong today.
Find out more about starting out at Bedford Prep
Our Admissions Team is happy to have an informal conversation or answer any queries you may have about joining Beford Prep School.
