There are many milestones to look forward to
when you have a baby, and as they grow into a toddler and a child, you’ll enjoy
seeing them change and develop into the little person they are going to be.
Sometimes the next step can seem a bit daunting at first, particularly when it
comes to their learning, but the transition between nursery and school is an
important and exciting time. Choosing the right school and being informed about
what to expect is so important, so if you are a parent of a young child and are
thinking about what will happen next, this post might give you some reassurance
and some ideas.
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Established
education leaders
Norfolk
House School can be found nestled in leafy Edgbaston, Birmingham, and for over
80 years, has earned an enviable reputation as a leading independent preparatory
school in the city but also in the Midlands, such is its recognition. Built on
the ethos that each child is an individual to be nurtured, Norfolk
House School provides a happy and caring environment where young children can
flourish.
I visited the school this past
week as I was keen to take in the beautiful surroundings and explore the
classrooms for myself, to learn more about how this small yet perfectly formed
school offers such an enriching experience for pupils. Having been through the
process of finding a school for Ethan, and seeing him go through the Transition
(pre-school) years, I understand what other parents might be looking for when
selecting the right place for their child.
We knew that the time when Ethan went from nursery
to pre-school and beyond was going to be a big change for us all, and that it
was important to be prepared and do our research so we knew what to expect and
how to make the right decisions for him.
It’s such a critical time and Norfolk House School
recognises that there is much that can be accomplished at the start of your
child’s school journey. The Early Years education in Transition (ages 3-4) offered
at Norfolk House School provides a structured approach to learning, all in a
friendly, secure and caring environment. Pupils join the school full-time and
enjoy access to a complete curriculum experience which helps them to develop
their confidence and independence.
When I visited the school, I was impressed by the
grand building and spacious outdoor play areas, and I discovered that the
experience of students in Transition is full and well-rounded. There is an
emphasis on structured learning, with teacher-led lessons tailored to deliver
key skills in maths, English etc., but there is freedom too, for expression and
experimentation, with free play encouraged and a secure space just outside the
classroom door for children to take advantage of whenever they wish. The best
of both worlds, really.
Tailored learning
I was encouraged to learn that Norfolk House School
focuses on small group sessions, with just 20 pupils in a Transition class. The
aim here is for children to have the space as well as the teacher attention so
they can develop their communication and social skills with confidence and learn
early reading and number skills to help establish a good foundation. Benefiting
from this personalised learning approach, I heard how pupils can both learn the
important skills and knowledge needed at their age, but also find ways to
express themselves.
There’s also a real focus on outdoor learning in
Transition – something which in my experience is so beneficial for children –
and the Forest School section of the School’s outdoor space is just a child’s
dream! The School believes that this helps to produce rounded learners as their
pupils can begin to explore through play-based activities and reinforce their understanding
of the world around them through hands-on experience, and I have to agree. I
would have loved to have got involved myself, and hearing about the bug hotel
and hunts, nature art activities, mud kitchen and den building made me envious.
There’s even a vegetable patch with leeks and carrots! Ethan would adore
spending time here, and the whole area felt like we had stepped into a secret
garden, with everything designed for learning through play.
Aiming
high to achieve for all
In preparing children for a happy and successful
life, Norfolk House School works to the following aims:
● To provide all our children with opportunities to
achieve their academic potential;
● To develop an enquiring mind within a family
environment where they feel valued and which addresses all aspects of the
children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development;
● To promote an atmosphere where they feel
fulfilled, confident and emotionally literate;
● To equip our pupils to grow as caring and
responsible citizens who will accept responsibility and make a positive
contribution to the community and society;
● To encourage a lifelong enthusiasm for learning;
● To understand the importance of manners, respect
for each other and the value of working and living together productively.
● To maintain an environment in which children are
safe, happy and motivated.
● To encourage mutual respect, tolerance and
understanding.
In speaking with Susannah, the Headmistress who
herself has gone to school and worked in this stunning corner of central
Birmingham, I learnt that there is always something new to look forward to at
the school. Rather than sticking to one way of doing things, year in and year
out, Norfolk House believes in ongoing development of the curriculum. This is
often in the form of new and enriching features, be it a new science building
in development, to offer further STEM teaching from Year 3 upwards, or updating
materials and resources, providing music lessons and getting pupils involved in
a daily mile challenge or tennis and swimming lessons.
It was amazing to learn how vast the breadth of
opportunities are at Norfolk House and treading the solid wood floors for
myself, I couldn’t help but be inspired by the characterful surroundings
myself. Oh to be young again - what a place to learn!
Dream, Believe, Achieve
I spotted on one of the many display boards around
the school these three words and the really echo the goals I have for our sons
and their education. During the coronavirus situation, I haven’t been as
pleased with the way my son has (or hasn’t) been supported in his learning
journey, but the approach Norfolk House School took and still takes is miles
away. As Susannah said to me, they are there to look out for every single
person at the school and it was important to remain as a close knit community
and to provide consistency for the children. The majority were able to stay in
the school itself, whilst daily calls and online classes and activities ensured
pupils at home kept connected. Norfolk House really didn’t miss a beat, even
delivering the end of year play via Zoom for parents to watch at home, and the
Year 6 Enterprise Fair and leavers’ assembly running in a similar way.
The pupils wanted to learn, and the School found a
way to make this work. Having seen their strict adherence to guidelines upon my
arrival – I provided my contact information, was asked if I had been unwell and
sanitised my hands before being allowed beyond the reception – I am assured
that the best safeguarding practices are in place. Through hearing about their
strategic approach to remote and flexible learning, that are also very prepared
for any future developments, as are their pupils.
See for yourself
It’s important to do your research, and the Norfolk
House School website contains detailed sections on all aspects of their
approach to teaching and learning, to help inform and reassure parents at every
level. You can take a look around the facilities and find out about life at all
the stages, but of course, if you can go and see the School for yourself, then
you really should as seeing things first-hand will make all the difference when
making a decision for your child.
Prospective parents are keenly invited by the School
to arrange a visit, which will include a meeting with the Headmistress and
various members of staff. At this time, such appointments can be scheduled for
evenings, after 4.30pm, or at the weekend and will involve a thorough tour of the
school, from top to bottom, inside and out; whatever you would like to see and
with an opportunity to ask in-person every question that you may have.
I highly recommend this; you need to see any school
with your own eyes but in seeing Norfolk House for myself, it aided my understanding
of just how inspiring the environment is for young minds, and the family-like
feeling they create for their pupils.
Exploring the rooms and grounds for yourself will not
only show you the range of learning opportunities that are presented to pupils
throughout their learning journey, but it’ll also go a long way in helping you
picture what life would be like for your child. With the emphasis on creating a
structured yet caring environment for all 145 pupils, you will really be struck
by the homely feel of the School and of the warm welcome you can expect as a
parent throughout your child’s time at Norfolk House.
Know before they go
My key advice to any parent looking at the next
steps from nursery to Transition and beyond is to do your research, ask lots of
questions and see it for yourself. You need to get a feel of things for
yourself, and visiting a school and hearing and seeing what they are all about
will help you make an informed choice.
You do get a feeling about a school and my feeling
from visiting Norfolk House was that every child is respected, that the school
emphasises respect and takes great care in supporting every pupil and that it
really is like a family away from home, creating a safe and rewarding environment
for learning. Experiencing this first-hand is the best way to find out all you
need to know about what Norfolk House School can do for your child, so you have
the confidence in taking that next step on their learning journey.
Norfolk House School has the last few places remaining for Transition September 2020 admission, so don’t delay and contact the school today!
Norfolk House School
Ltd.
4 Norfolk Road
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 3PS
Tel: 0121 454 7021
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