Dear Parents
I read two articles recently about the best time for pupils to move schools and was struck by the synergies with what our school currently offers and what it will offer in the future when we extend to 16. Both articles spoke about the fact that perhaps schools like ours have got it right and that 13 is a better time for children to move school, if not in an all-through school. As you know, Mr Bond and the Leadership Team have the support of pupils and families wishing to leave at 11, 13 or 16 firmly in their sights moving forward; forming a major USP of the Holmwood offer and giving parents the ultimate range of choices.
The huge shift from being “a big fish in a small pond to a tiny fish in a massive pond” can be quite a challenge for children, even traumatic for some. “Of course, all transitions have their challenges, but the shift from primary to secondary can be seismic,” and it doesn’t have to be like this. Our Years 7 & 8 programme is tried and tested; highly effective at supporting our youngsters’ academic, physical, mental and personal development. As a nurturing school where every child is known and supported, where the individuals’ strengths, areas for support and development, and their passions are known and understood by all, where better for a child to navigate those sensitive years of change and growth?
I am increasingly excited about the next steps for Holmwood; our offer to parents is a really strong one which, I believe, is about to become even stronger. So many parents over the years have asked me why we don’t go through to 16. Now that we are, the next few years are a super time to be at Holmwood. We have a great deal of external interest in entry to Year 7 in September 2022 (current Year 5s) and this looks like being a potentially bumper vintage.
I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting current Years 4 and 5 parents in person recently – discussing next steps for their children – and would be delighted to welcome you in to discuss this important topic over my remaining few weeks at Holmwood. We will host a webinar on Wednesday 9 June from 7pm – ahead of our Senior School Open Afternoon on Friday 11 June to which a number of prospective families will attend – where we will deal with a number of areas regarding the exciting move to 16 over the next few years.
With best wishes
Alexander Mitchell
Headmaster