Around the time that this magazine goes live, hundreds of thousands of parents will receive news of primary school places. We naturally mind when we are not given choice in life, but sometimes choice itself is the cause of anxiety and confusion. So, it’s my job here to make the argument that parents should consider independent schools among their options. Why? Because it seems logical to me that parents should – where possible – consider and weigh up all the options open to them. Must parents send their children to independent schools? No, of course not: parents should only ever do what is right for their children and for their family. If you do choose to explore this option, then I hope the following will help to guide you. First of all, independent schools means much more than just ‘fee-paying’. Independence means that schools are free to make their own decisions, within certain parameters, about everything from curriculum to sport to class size. Schools can choose whether to be progressive and innovative, or maintain traditions over literally decades. Secondly, school fees give independent schools far greater resources with which to support pupils. This is most obviously, and importantly, seen in class sizes. The key to everything, especially at primary age, is how much 1:1 time a child can have with a teacher when they need it. That time might be when they should be celebrated for a success or it could be when a point about phonics, isn’t clicking into place or it could be a moment when a family member is unwell. That time could be the difference Choices, choices why to consider independent schools between a child getting an eye test, or a dyslexia assessment, or not. It could be the difference between being noticed, or not. So, those fees. Schools, including my own, need to do a better job of explaining what’s included in them. Meals, snacks, trips, clubs and activities are all typically included within the main fees. It’s also part of the ‘day job’ to include preparation for a wide array of exams, which hopefully cuts down on parents needing to consider outside tutoring. I should add that I have nothing against tutoring – it can be part of the valuable 1:1 time referenced earlier – but it is certainly expensive and, all things being equal, I would rather children were doing other things on Saturday mornings. At Longacre, we talk about children being fulfilled. Supported when they require help and challenged to see just how far their abilities and talents can take them. Our motto is ‘a happy heart goes all the way’ and we remain mindful that true happiness is hard won, easily lost, and underestimated at our peril. To round this off, and to quote that all-time great Headmaster Albus Dumbledore: ‘it is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.’ Good luck with your choices, and if you’d like to see what this means in practice – or indeed consider any independent school while you still have that choice in your hands, then I encourage you to pick up the phone or send an email. Matthew Bryan Headteacher at Longacre School, Surrey. Raring2go! EDUCATION 18
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