Independent Schools Association
The Next Step
The process of choosing a secondary school starts in Year 5. The Headmistress will talk to the parents about the process of the 11+ transfer in general and suggest that parents start to send off for prospectuses, arrange preliminary visits and draw up a" long list "of potential choices. For day schools registration is not required until the term before the pupil sits their examinations. This is good because it allows us to monitor the pupil as they develop and progress and to let the later developers have a chance to show us their potential. At the beginning of Year 6 there will be individual meetings where the Headmistress and the Year 6 class teacher and the parents are present at which school choices are discussed in the context of the individual's attainment and progress.
The Headmistress is readily available throughout the process to advise and reassure and through the rapport which they maintains with the Heads of all the schools to which we send our pupils is able to give realistic advice.
When choosing a school it is important to be:
Open minded:be prepared to look at all possible options; talk to parents of pupils at the school if possible, obtain and study prospectuses; above all visit the school yourself as only this will determine the atmosphere of the school and you can judge whether it would suit your child
Ambitious:make sure your child is setting themselves high standards and aims to make the most of their gifts and talents
Realistic:listen to what the teachers tell you and recognise and accept actual abilities and thus ensure that the schools you choose will stretch and care for your child but not overwhelm them.
Many of our pupils receive offers from the schools which they sit and we have never yet had anyone who has not received a single offer!
At Buxlow we will guide and support you in this process and celebrate with you at the end of the penultimate term when all the results are known.
Scholarship:Most years Buxlow pupils are offered scholarships both academic, art and sporting. We can advise you about this process too and help you to prepare your child in the best way.
