Moving to Senior School
We understand that the transition from Berkhamsted Prep to Senior School is one of the most important steps in your child’s education, which is key to their future success and happiness.
We are here to offer you guidance on choosing the right school for your child and there are ample opportunities to discuss this with us the best secondary school experience for each individual child.
Pupils flourish at our Senior Schools, benefiting from our ‘diamond’ educational structure which provides same-sex academic lessons combined with co-curricular subjects, clubs and events. We believe our approach ensures academic excellence, whilst providing pupils with essential opportunities to socialise with their peers.
We begin transition planning for secondary school during the final six terms of Year 5 and Year 6 to ensure pupils feel confident and ready for the next step in their academic journey.
From September 2029, children at our Prep who wish to transition to Berkhamsted Senior Schools will be required to take the Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB) Common Pre-Test in October of Year 6.
Listen to a podcast with our Year 6
Year 6 pupils discuss what it feels like to be moving on from Berkhamsted Prep
Listen to a podcast with our Year 7
Year 7 pupils discuss what it was like transitioning from Berkhamsted Prep to Senior School.
Future Developments
Providing strong foundations for future success in a broad and balanced manner is key in a world that is rapidly changing. As such our strategic foci in the coming years relate to providing our children with access to modern learning and child development experiences which are underpinned by the latest research.
Access to good quality play experiences.
Site development across the Pre-Prep and Prep has to date been shaped by our desire to offer fun play experiences from 3 to 11 years old.
The poly tunnels installed at Pre-Prep are great for gardening and growing our own, and are used by Pre-Prep and Prep children. This is an area we are keen to grow and expand as the children love to get their hands dirty and watch as their efforts grow into something they can eat!
At Prep, the landscaping of the play areas across the site is the start of our ambition to develop play zones which provide spaces for imaginative and creative play, quiet places to sit and enjoy time with your friends, physical areas for running and letting off steam and spaces for just playing games. We have plans to create an adventure zone that will promote and offer opportunities for risky play which is key to children developing self-confidence, executive function abilities and risk-management, all of which we consider to be core for future success. Most importantly, excellent play provision across the primary age range will be aimed at developing positive relationships and providing the children with opportunities for good old fashioned fun!
