There is NO such thing as a 'feeder school'.
/Many of you talk to us about ‘feeder schools’.
But do you even know what a ‘feeder school’ even is?
Here is the definitition for you (Collins) …
a junior school whose pupils go to a specific secondary school
The definition is a little misleading. Let me explain.
A parent reading this definition may think that just because their child goes to a particular school that it will result in them going to a specific secondary school.
Well, absolutely not.
And you will be incredibly disappointed if you believe this. And you will not be truly supporting your child to get into your desired school of choice if you leave it purely up to the school.
Let me explain.
First of all let me disclose that I have nothing against these ‘feeder schools’. We teach many, many children who attend these schools. Many! And yes, the schools tell them not to tutor. Our clients have their own minds and they decide what is right for their own children!
I am a firm believer that it should never be the responsibility of a school to teach a child.
If you’ve ever set foot in a school in the capacity of a teacher or teaching assistant or any other role, you will know what I am going on about. If you haven’t, you won’t.
So if I were to choose a school for my son, I really wouldn’t care about the title ‘feeder school’. What I would care about would be the following:
Excellent teachers with a lot of experience who can support my child with his learning and challenge him to be the best that he can be academically (I wouldn’t rely on them to do this however - that would be down to me).
Excellent pastoral care.
Excellent 1:1 time with my son (this is hard in a school!)
Excellent facilities.
Excellent after school provision.
And the most important one - that my son would be delighted to go to school each day.
Preparing him for a great secondary school will be down to me. If I have an amazing team behind me, that is the cherry on top but it is not the holy grail.
Careful, behind every great exit result is a team of teachers supporting that child to achieve and that includes the support of their amazing parents who take deliberate time to sit with their children every single say to study with them, to support them, to challenge them and to ensure that they are achieving to the best of their abilities.
I barely read report cards from my son’s nursery. There is no way they could have ever known his level and ability as I did.
