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 is bucking the trend and maintaining its provision for Year 7-8 with a state-of the art facility.
The school’s dedicated building, Lyndhurst Gardens, for Years 6-8, includes a science lab, tech suite, music room, 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 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.”
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,” said Mr Keighley-Elstub.
“We are experiencing great success in pupils securing 13+ places at senior schools through exams and interview in Year 8,” added 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.”
If you are interested in joining Devonshire House School at Year 7, don’t hesitate to contact us here.
