An education to give your child the freedom to flourish

John Tranmer, chair of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), writes the foreword to the 2016 edition of John Catt's Preparatory Schools guide...

It is my pleasure and privilege to be asked to contribute the foreword to such an important publication, and one which will hopefully help you choose the correct school to guide your child through the most important, early years of their education.

By attending a prep school, a child is guaranteed an education like no other; a curriculum that is not dictated by government but is broad, balanced and tailored to their needs, a favourable staff to pupil ratio and a focus on traditional values like courtesy and respect both inside and outside of the classroom.

Independent schools offer outstanding education that embraces both innovation, technology and important traditions that are tried and tested. A wealth of extra-curricular opportunities will also fall at your child’s feet, and these typically embrace performing arts and skills as well as the many sports clubs and tournaments you may have come to expect.

Staying in the sporting world for example, we at IAPS now arrange competitions in areas such as sailing and martial arts in addition to the many traditional sports, including netball, rugby, hockey, cricket, football, swimming and tennis. Prep schools will help your child to discover and develop their talents, interests and skills which will stay with them for the rest of their life.

Indeed, choosing a school is a lifelong decision. The choice you make will directly impact the way your child sees the world, and will profoundly shape the way they grow into adulthood. With the opportunities and teaching methods employed at independent schools, my extensive experience suggests that preparatory education ensures your child is given the best possible start, one which will help to equip him or her with the knowledge, skills and attributes to create a happy and purposeful future.

Yet the independent sector is no longer exclusive in the sense that only those from affluent families have access to private schools. The vast majority of prep schools offer fee support (often referred to as ‘bursaries’) and at IAPS we encourage our member schools to be inclusive.

Schemes like iTrust, a charity set up and supported by IAPS, have helped contribute to the many millions of pounds worth of discounts parents have been offered to help them fund their child’s education. These schemes are usually means-tested to ensure that appropriate support is offered to the most deserving families.

I am sure you are reading this with many important questions running through your head. Which prep school is right for my child? What do I need to think about when making the choice? Do I really need all the information enclosed in this book? Yes, you probably do, but there are key areas you should definitely think about.

Factors like location will come into the equation, as will the choice between single-sex and co-educational. If you are contemplating boarding, a popular option typically for children aged 8+, travel times may not be an important factor but for many the length of commute to school is very relevant. Some children cope well with lengthy journeys, others do not. Think carefully about what suits your child. Likewise, some children will thrive in virtually any school whereas others may benefit from particular features such as single-sex education. Having taught in single-sex and co-educational schools as well as those with boarding, I know that the variety of provision within the independent sector is one of its greatest strengths.

Please look carefully at the details of the prep schools relevant for you and consider how best you feel they can help your child’s education and development into a young adult. This guide will help enormously and you should cross-reference it by looking at individual websites and, most importantly, by arranging to visit possible schools. Such visits are tremendously important as you will not experience the full potential of a school without meeting the children and staff who make each community individual and special. The time and effort you put into your research will be very worthwhile. When you visit, I suggest you pay particular attention to the following:

● Atmosphere – is it a happy, purposeful place? Do the staff and children seem relaxed? Is the school full of energy and life yet well organised and structured?

● Facilities – Good classrooms are at the heart of excellent schools. Are the classrooms well-resourced for teaching and learning? Is there evidence of academic progress and creativity? Are there spaces for sport and play?

● Relationships – How do the children interact with the staff and each other? Is there consistency in the way that children behave? If you do not know any of the children or families currently associated with the school, ask if you might be able to arrange a conversation with someone suitable. Such an insider’s point of view is often invaluable.

Do not let the hard work at this stage put you off. Simply by picking up this book, you have in your hands one of the best possible tools in helping you make the decision right for you. Visit the websites of organisations like the ISC (www.isc.co.uk) and IAPS (iaps.uk), and do not hesitate to contact schools if the information you require is not readily available.

I am confident that you will be impressed when you visit any of the schools detailed in this guide. Choosing a prep school is a difficult task, but the outcome is hugely rewarding. This is the first step on a tremendously exciting ladder.

I wish you every success in making the right choice, and wish you and your child all the best for the future.

John Tranmer was formerly Headmaster of The Froebelian School (1991-2015)
. He was appointed as Chairman of IAPS for 2015-2018.