School Reopening: What To Expect

3rd March 2021

Over the past year, an immense emphasis has been placed on the reported ‘knowledge gap’ that lockdown has generated among today’s young people. Given both the unprecedented and unforeseen demands of lockdown living, it is without doubt that the physical closing of schools has had an impact on children’s development.

However, our latest 11+ and 13+ results in no way suggest a decline in academic excellence. Year 6 pupils have won places at no less than 32 schools, as well as 24 scholarships. Offers continue to fly in.

As such – staying true to our foundational commitment of developing happy, confident children – we are directing our focus towards the pastoral side of each child’s development.

Principal, Sebastian Hepher says, “Despite the continued achievement of our exceptional pupils over the past year, we acutely recognise the impact that lockdown life has had, to varying degrees, on all children’s development. At Eaton Square Prep School, our focus will be on ensuring that academic standards are maintained and furthered whilst fully supporting the emotional and social needs of every pupil who has been affected by the last few months.”

With less than a week to go until schools reopen, here’s how Eaton Square Prep School will be easing the transition of pupils back into the classroom…. 

WELLBEING PRIORITY

We are renowned for our warm, welcoming and nurturing environment. The benefits of this will grow to even greater heights in the post-COVID world. Offering an onsite Place2Be children’s mental health counsellor (available for both drop-ins and more structured programmes), there are also post boxes positioned across the school for children to ‘post’ any worries in total privacy. In addition, this term will see increased focus on furthering high levels of happiness, confidence, security and friendships through individualised support, booster clubs, tailored take-home learning packs, collaborative group activities and more.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION

An excess of time spent both inside and on-screen will be resolved. To start, all usual PE lessons will be replaced with an entire morning spent in the nearby Battersea Park, with each class enjoying sporting activities, team-building exercises, fresh air, playtime and a picnic in the park’s 200 acres of leafy green surroundings. Likewise, the School’s own private playground and outdoor space on the prestigious Eccleston Square (home to the school’s popular Gardening Club) will make a welcome return for all pupils.

INCREASED SENSE OF COMMUNITY

Above all, the past year has put a spotlight on our founding value of service – an innate drive to support the immediate and wider communities around us. Headmistress Trish Watt says, “Pupils admirably upheld this value throughout lockdown – actively fundraising both for the School’s chosen charity, Chiltern Music Therapy, as well as engaging in global campaigns regarding sustainability, genetic disorders and cancer. On returning to school, we will be encouraging the pupils to serve the community more keenly than ever; with exciting new initiatives from the pupil-driven Eco Committee to the ‘Whole New World’ theme of the School’s upcoming TEDx event.

 

To find out more about life at Eaton Square Prep School, we warmly invite you to our upcoming Virtual Open Morning at 9:30am-10:30am, Friday 12th March 2021.

 The event will be livestreamed from our historic Eccleston Square building, complete with:

·  Virtual tour

· Welcome from Principal, Sebastian Hepher and Headmistress, Trish Watt

· Introduction from Head Boy and Head Girl (current Year 6 pupils)

·  Q&A Session

To secure your place, please click here.

For further details, please contact Registrar Ann Potesta: registrar@eatonsquareschool.com.

 

Eaton Square Schools adheres to all governmental guidelines regarding the safe return of pupils to school.