St Edmund's

Years 7 and 8 are critical transition years. Some schools do not pay enough attention to this vital period in a child’s education. That does not happen at St Edmund’s. Our approach recognises the importance of Key Stage 3 both as a point of vulnerability and as a moment of opportunity. “Vulnerability” because these years represent the start of “secondary” education in the National Curriculum and also the beginnings of adolescence. “Opportunity” because if schools get their provision right in these year groups, they can not only establish strong academic habits for future years, but also, through nurturing pastoral care, rich co-curricular involvement and personal development programmes, build confidence and personal values that can last a lifetime.

At St Edmund’s, Years 7 and 8 form the upper section of our Junior School. Our approach is a holistic one. Pupils study a full secondary curriculum with most of their academic lessons provided by subject specialist secondary school teachers in the wonderful shared classrooms and exciting facilities of our whole school site. However, their pastoral care is conducted within the caring, supportive ethos of the Junior School, allowing them to develop their self-esteem and sense of identity in a calm, gentle environment. As leaders of the pupil community, our Year 7 and 8 pupils also develop inter-personal and leadership skills as Prefects and House Captains. This means that the educational experience for our pupils is engaging, nurturing and fun as they begin to focus on entry to the Senior School in Year 9.

Mr Ed O’Connor

HEAD