The Benefits of Transition at 13+ for Prep School Pupils
Adolescence is a challenging phase for many children as they undergo substantial changes in their bodies and brains. The onset of puberty is particularly significant for children during this period, with girls reaching this stage earlier than before, some even as young as 8 years old, and the average age being around 11 or 12. Similarly, boys tend to experience puberty around the age of 12 or 13. It is vital to recognise and acknowledge these changes to support young individuals navigating this transformative time in their lives.
There are lots of positives about adolescence, which we, as educators who choose to teach this age group, really enjoy seeing. These attributes include:
As much as there are plenty of positives there are also plenty of reasons (as any parent of tweens and teens can tell you) which make these years particularly challenging. The smiley and engaged child who overnight becomes an emotional, sullen mess with questionable sleep and personal hygiene habits… These changes can be difficult to navigate, but it's important to remember that they are a natural part of this stage of development.
Both positive and negative features of adolescence provide reasons why we feel that it is a good idea to keep our children, but especially girls, at Cargilfield until 13. Children at Cargilfield can discover and nurture new skills and interests whilst building confidence, responsibility and valuable soft skills. Although some girls' schools have entries at 11 many also offer a 13+ entry. In recent years, more recently, Cargilfield has established strong connections with some of the Edinburgh day schools, who are more open to accepting our children (both boys and girls) at 13 rather than 11. Why rock the boat when there is so much already happening for your child?
With years of active involvement in the lives of our children, some since they were 3 years old, we are well placed to help them navigate these tricky waters. We have encountered almost every situation imaginable! In the upper school (8-13), each year group has both a male and female form teacher on hand readily available for support and someone to speak to. We also encourage a strong sense of community, and our children know that they can speak to any adult or older pupil within our community who will help them or guide them towards someone who can help. With a nursing team on site, any sensitive matters can be addressed by them, as well as by experienced form teachers or pastoral leaders.Towards the top end of the upper school, the Health and Wellbeing lessons we offer also become more responsive. We can plan them at short notice to address any pressing issues.
Any issues with friendships can be handled quickly and, hopefully, with an understanding of the context for each child. For example, this term we have run a session with the Charlie Waller Trust focusing on positive mental health, forging positive relationships and consent,
For some parents who view boarding - often further afield - as an option for their children, it makes sense to ensure that they are well prepared. We want the children to look forward to their new school with a sense of excitement, as well as self-belief and a degree of resilience.
Cargilfield offers a very flexible system of boarding which we can tailor to the needs of the individual child. All children are well supported by our network of Gaps, Grads and an experienced boarding team who focus on getting to know your children as individuals. The team puts a lot of effort into developing relationships with the whole family and is in frequent contact with parents and carers. Things like changes in physical development and appearance can be handled sensitively and hopefully without embarrassment for the children concerned. Going through these challenges when things are unfamiliar is far more stressful than tackling them in a known and supportive environment.
In summary, staying at prep school until 13 and making the transition then rather than at 11 can bring many benefits. The children often look forward to becoming a Form 8 at the top of our school. Yes, it is a little pond, but this brings the opportunity to be selected for leadership positions within the school, which wouldn't happen until much later in senior schools. There are lots of these – the more obvious ones being Captains of Sport and Head of School. We also have positions within debating, Divisional Captains, Anti Bullying Ambassadors and musical appointments to name a few. Being at the top of the school encourages maturity and independence. The Form 8’s will often give tours to visitors to Cargilfield and enjoy this responsibility very much. Again, this would be very unusual in a senior school where they would be amongst the youngest. Finally, for a less self-assured child just that bit longer in a small, nurturing community may help give them the confidence they need to make a successful transition at 13+.
By The Hon Anjali Dholakia, Deputy Head Academic at Cargilfield School
About Cargilfield
Cargilfield is the only stand-alone prep school in Edinburgh. Founded in 1873, we recently celebrated our 150th anniversary. As well as being Scotland’s first prep school, we remain the foremost prep school north of the border. We deliver a broad curriculum, leading to Common Entrance and scholarship exams for children at 13, teaching a wide range of subjects with specialist teachers. A family school with an active community, we seek pupils with a wide range of abilities and personalities, as we believe that our small classes, purposely kept at no more than 18, high expectations, and enthusiastic teaching allow every child to flourish. Delivered by specialist early years and subject-specific teachers, we achieve sector-leading academic performance. Prioritising childhood, we nurture children’s curiosity and creativity to help them explore and discover their interests, abilities, and the world around them. Every child enjoys a full day of learning, with broad, challenging, and enriching experiences in academics, the arts, music, and sport—each of which features extensively in the school week.
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