Essex


<p>You want the best for your child’s education, we get that, with choosing the right prep school a hugely important decision to make. You want them to flourish; to thrive; and to come home from the end of the day excited about the stuff they’ve learned – and not simply shrug and reach straight for the iPad.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/4.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10441" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/4.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/4-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/4-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Of course, there’s always going to be the odd day when they don’t jump out of bed to put on their uniform and brush their teeth (and if you’ve got <em>that</em> kid we want to know your secret). But with last year’s report from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.isc.co.uk/media/8421/isc_census_2022_final-v2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Independent Schools Council</a>&nbsp;showing that private school pupil numbers are now at a record high, it’s time to figure out what you should be looking for when it comes to finding the right prep school for your little treasure.</p>



<p>Headmaster&nbsp;Leonard Blom, from&nbsp;<a href="https://staubyns.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Aubyn’s School in Woodford Green</a>, believes smaller class sizes, lots of&nbsp;co-curricular activities and a sense of independence and responsibility are key.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-pick-a-school-to-suit-their-needs">1 PICK A SCHOOL TO SUIT THEIR NEEDS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/1-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10444" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/1-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/1-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/1-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/1-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>“St Aubyn’s is a co-educational prep school for children aged 3 to 11, set in eight acres of grounds,” he says. “The main point of entry is when 60 children join our Nursery. A small number of pupils then enter in Reception every year, plus at other ages when vacancies occur.” Prep schools are, of course, all different. “We have 520 pupils, but from September there will be two separate departments; the Pre Prep department, which includes the Early Years Foundation Stage, and the Upper Prep department, both overseen by their own full-time Head.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-pick-a-school-where-welfare-is-key">2 PICK A SCHOOL WHERE WELFARE IS KEY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/6.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10449" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/6.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/6-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/6-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>“The happiness of our pupils underpins the St Aubyn’s experience,” continues Leonard, who reveals the school focuses on&nbsp;pupils’ welfare and personal development. “Strong relationships are at the core of this: among pupils and between pupils and staff; backed by a partnership with parents.” The school&nbsp;achieves this through staff with a child-centred approach. “The teachers from Nursery to Year 5, and tutors for Year 6, are responsible for all pastoral care and your child’s emotional well-being, and are the first line of communication. The Heads of department also support with pastoral matters when needed.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-pick-a-school-that-sets-standards">3&nbsp;PICK A SCHOOL THAT SETS STANDARDS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10446" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/2-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Prep schools tend to have smaller class sizes than state schools, which means more attention on your child’s educational needs. “Our children are prepared academically for 11+ entrance exams to independent secondary schools and local grammar schools,” says Leonard. “We also have&nbsp;facilities to complement educational provision in all areas.” There’s a sports hall, three all-weather pitches, large sports playing field, pupil kitchen, art and design technology studio, performing arts centre, performance studio, music practice rooms, library, two ICT rooms and science laboratory. Impressive stuff.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-pick-a-school-that-sees-them-shine">4 PICK A SCHOOL THAT SEES THEM SHINE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/3-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10448" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/3-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/3-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/3-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/3-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>As your child continues their education a prep school should understand exactly what brings out their personality. “Years 3 to 6 at St Aubyn’s are characterised by high academic achievement, as well as a strong sense of independence and responsibility,” continues Leonard. All pupils are encouraged to participate in the school’s curricular and co-curricular life. “This can take the form of involvement in, as well as other areas, residential trips, school councils, eco committee, clubs, army cadets, sports&#8217; teams and our many performing arts events and groups.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-pick-a-school-that-sets-challenges">5 PICK A SCHOOL THAT SETS CHALLENGES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/5-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10450" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/5-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/5-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/5-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/5-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>“We strive for excellence and creativity in forward-thinking education, meaning pupils that leave us are set to challenge the world,” says Leonard. “This comes from traditional academia, but also participation in even more&nbsp;on-site activities.”&nbsp;The major sports played at St Aubyn’s are football, cricket, rugby, hockey and netball, with regular fixtures alongside other schools. Exercising the mind with other activities is just as vital, with&nbsp;chess, mindfulness, coding, cooking, craft, mathletics and more available. “Participating represents a real commitment and promotes team spirit, resilience and perseverance,” says the Head.</p>



<p>Liking the sound of what you’ve read? Check out our&nbsp;<a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-aubyns-school-woodford-green/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review of St Aubyn’s</a>, then sign up for the&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=yihRJ7Mvw0-nT1PJf50codwLi17KUI9HsvB69gxC7BBUN0lFWE8zQ1RYUlhFUk0wMjlLUzNIVlNQSy4u&amp;wdLOR=c1306EBA3-2E40-DA4E-9687-A549647696EF" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spring Open Morning</a> on 16 March from 10am to 12pm.There’s also the option for small group tours, conducted in term time by the registrar, throughout the year.</p>


5 points to consider when choosing a prep school

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