Making the right choice for your little one...
One of the most important decisions for a parent is choosing a school for your child. It is especially important when the choice is for you first child as they reach the age of three. Martin Watson, Headmaster at Rendcomb Juniors offers some guidance to parents.
Do your research: it is easy to find out about staffing ratios and facilities from friends, websites and special interest groups like mumsnet. Official Inspectorate Reports are insightful, so take time to read them. OFSTED inspects state schools and Independent Schools Inspectorate covers the independent sector. These reports are produced by individuals brought in to examine the school over the course of a week; as such they are in depth and unbiased.
Schools and Nurseries have regular and well publicised Open Days. They are free and open to all. An Open Day will give you a good sense of a particular nursery or school and allow the opportunity to see how your child will settle in. It will also allow you to see the progression from
year to year as well as the opportunities your child with be exposed to in future years. Use these visits to get a sense of the school and the approach to education. Small children love to mix variety and routine; so look for evidence of this.
We are fortunate at Rendcomb because our pupils can progress from the Early Years through the Juniors and right up to Sixth Form. Our small, well taught classes help children enjoy learning, receive lots of feedback, and gain confidence and skills. We make great use of both indoor and outdoor facilities and balance child initiated play with adult led activities.
In Early Years, sessions include Jolie Ronde French, Dance, PE, Music and Outdoor Education in our superb Forest School, all delivered by specialist teachers. Nursery activities involve Numeracy, Literacy, including Jolly Phonics, Cookery and Art.
Teaching young children is hugely rewarding and each September we look forward to meeting a new group of bright, curious children and seeing them progress. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a child we taught in Reception heading off to University confident, balanced and ready to take on the World.
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