A child’s education is a long, winding road filled with unexpected challenges. Not only will the child grow and change over the years, but external circumstances can also impact their personal journey.
Here at our prep school in Devon, we’re proud to be a reliable support for children throughout their education, with places available from when they start nursery all the way through to Year 8. We believe that having this extended period with the same school provides a whole host of benefits to any child’s development, both inside and outside the classroom.
Here are just some of the widely recognised benefits children can get from staying at the same school, alongside some advice for when life’s events mean staying isn’t an option.
Academic Performance
Children who stay at the same school for as long as possible are usually likely to have higher academic performance compared to children who have changed schools.
There are many different reasons why academic performance can be affected by a school change, the most obvious being the change in environment. New facilities, new routines and new social groups all require more attention when children move, which inevitably causes a temporary reduction in concentration on the academic side as they try to get settled.
Secondly, every school will teach subjects in a slightly different way. From private schools following their own curricula to schools teaching topics in different orders. Any change from one school to another is likely to lead to some kind of overlap or omission in the child’s learning.
Personal Growth
Of course, the school experience is about much more than just class marks. It’s also about helping children develop into emotionally confident and well-rounded people, and a stable school environment plays a big part in that.
When a child stays at the same school for many years, they develop deep and broad support networks. Children and parents can talk to teachers who have seen them develop and understand their needs. Children will feel more part of the social communities at school, whether that’s a friendship group, a class, a sports team or a particular cause.
All of this contributes to creating an environment that feels stable and supportive, which encourages children to push their boundaries and try new things, which is great for developing confidence.
Long-Lasting Friendships
Similar to the point discussed above, friendships are hugely important in a child’s development.
When staying at the same school, a child is able to grow both academically and personally with the same group across many years. While some best friends may come and go, having constant figures in their lives can help to reduce the amount of change taking place, making children feel more comfortable and self-confident as they develop.
Beyond the benefits of friendship groups during school years, staying at the same school increases the chances that your child will make friends who could be with them for their whole lives. Likewise, parents and carers have more opportunities to bond, helping to create that all-important support network for adults, too.
Advice If You Have To Change School
While every parent would love to give their child a stable school life, some situations mean a change of schools is unavoidable.
If you have to change schools for whatever reason, don’t panic. There are also benefits to changing, such as making new friends or moving to a school more in line with their academic performance, which can help foster a deeper sense of belonging.
If you’re in the position of having to change your child’s school, here are some small pieces of advice:
- Try to move at the end of the academic year – moving outside of term times minimises the chance of your child missing specific lessons.
- Talk with your child – take the time to understand their hopes and fears about moving school, so you can help them feel as prepared as possible.
- Visit the new school together – always visit the new school before the child’s first day. This is great for relieving nerves, as you can practise things like the morning walk or drive.
- Keep in touch with friends – help your child keep in touch with their friends from the previous school if possible.
If you would like to learn more about how we help our pupils thrive all the way from nursery school to Year 8, why not visit us? Alternatively, you can request a prospectus.
