Mr Keighley-Elstub | Head of School at Devonshire House School
While many London-based preparatory schools and primary schools conclude in Year 6, Devonshire House Prep School – Hampstead, North London – is bucking the trend and extending its provision for Year 7-8 with a newly refurbished state-of the art facility.
The school’s dedicated building, Lyndhurst Gardens, for Years 6-8 includes a science lab, tech suite, music and drama rooms, and an art studio. This carefully designed environment promotes a sense of familiarity and security, allowing students to focus on their academic and personal development with confidence. The building opened in April 2023, formerly Lyndhurst House, a boys’ prep school which closed in the summer of 2022.
The Year 7 curriculum, equivalent to the initial year of secondary school for those moving on at the 11+ stage, is designed with ambition, assuring that students not only sustain their academic momentum but also advance continuously. This strategic emphasis on a comprehensive curriculum aims to address the potential stagnation in academic progress that some students face during the transition from primary to secondary education.
Many secondary schools spend time assessing students’ academic abilities and progress during Year 7, but Devonshire House’s upper school ensures seamless and continuous advancement for its students. Henry Keighley-Elstub, Head of Devonshire House, explains:
“We pride ourselves on offering a vibrant Year 6-8 programme that allows for uninterrupted academic growth and better prepares students for the transition to secondary education in Year 9. That’s why we’ve invested in a facility exclusively designed to help them navigate the ‘tween’ years, as we recognise that this age group requires a distinct approach in terms of teaching and guidance.”
Historically, Years 7 and 8 has been all boys at Devonshire House, but the school welcomes girls to either stay on beyond Year 6 or for external applicants to apply at the 11+ stage. Interest for places at 11+ and even 12+ has risen sharply over the last year:
“We are experiencing great success in pupils securing 13+ places at senior schools through exams and interview in Year 8,” added Mr Keighley-Elstub.
Recognising the variance in emotional maturity between genders at age 11, with girls typically maturing faster, Devonshire House tailors its approach to meet the specific needs of boys to help close this gap. The provision of two crucial years at the end of Year 6 allows students to be the “big fish in a small pond,” fostering leadership skills and emotional maturity during this critical stage.
“We have found that the prep educational journey to Year 8 is particularly advantageous for boys not only supporting the development of their emotional maturity but also when considering the 13+ entry point. The opportunity to stand out in a less crowded field, can facilitate a smoother path to success in an intensely competitive all-boys school environment. Using examples like the all-boys secondary school Merchant Taylors near Watford, where applications at 13+ are not only more successful but also encounter less competition compared to the 11+ entry stage,” said Mr Keighley-Elstub.
“Our upper school students across the board develop stronger organisational and study skills, making the adjustment to a new academic setting in Year 9 smoother. The additional years also offer more chances for students to assume leadership roles within the school community and build a sense of responsibility.”
Devonshire House doesn’t just cater to those who have been with them since the early years; it welcomes new students to join at the 11+ entry point in Year 7. The school extends a welcoming hand to parents with children in prep and primary schools who may not secure their school of choice at age 11. Offering a second chance, the school invites these students for a two-year stint, preparing them for 13+ applications to prestigious institutions like St Paul’s, City, Haberdashers, and Mill Hill.
“At Devonshire House, upper years benefit from experiencing a purpose-built facility but within a smaller school setting as well as teachers who are specialised in dealing with this age group. This gradual step allows our pupils to familiarise themselves with the expectation of senior school life and introduces them to leadership opportunities by being role models to the school.”
