Finding the right environment for your child can feel overwhelming, so what should you be looking out for to help narrow down your options easier?
We caught up with Vicky Harding, Head of Repton Prep School in Milton, Derbyshire, who reveals five key factors to keep in mind when choosing an independent school for your child.
1. Do they offer flexible boarding?
Repton Prep offers a variety of boarding options which can be tailored to each pupil and what they feel comfortable with, whether it be staying for a night here or there, or perhaps boarding during the week and returning home at the weekend. Boarding at Repton Prep is a highly rewarding experience, allowing boarders to build a strong sense of self as well as developing lifelong friendships with people from all over the world.
We have four boarding houses, two of which cater specifically to flexi-boarders and are gender-divided. It’s a great way for those pupils who are excited by the idea of boarding and want to experience more or for those who want to spend more time with their families.
Our pupils become fully immersed in their boarding programme, benefitting from extra academic support outside of school hours and resident tutors who are always on hand for anything they need. Repton Prep offers boarding from the age of seven, and we’ve recently been awarded the ‘Supporting Juniors Boarding’ award in the BSA 2023 Boarding Awards.
2. What is the pupil-staff ratio there?
At Repton Prep, your child will stay a child for longer, encouraged throughout their school life to develop in confidence and self-esteem into their best selves.
We pride ourselves on providing a personalised learning journey, allowing us to meet the individual needs of all our pupils. Throughout the School we offer small class sizes with an average staff-to-pupil ratio of 1:8. This is further supported in Pre-Prep where each class will have a teacher and full-time teaching assistant up until Year Two.
In our boarding houses, we have up to 40 boarders (a mix of full-time, home and away and weekly boarders) with additional flexi-boarders joining throughout the week, so houses remain a fantastic environment but never get overcrowded.
Each house will have its own Houseparents - boarders, Houseparents and their families live together, creating a real sense of belonging and security. It truly becomes a home-from-home environment for them, helping them to become as comfortable as possible.
3. Is pastoral care a priority at the school, and what kind of support is available?
If you are considering a boarding school for your child, it’s imperative as a parent that you know your child will be well taken care of throughout the term, and that support is readily available should and when they need it.
Pupil wellbeing is at the heart of all that we do and the pastoral care systems at Repton Prep are designed to help every child achieve their true potential.
Repton Prep actively intertwines pastoral care with its pupils’ experience – it's a strong thread through our school for staff and parents as well. Daily and weekly meetings to discuss pupil wellbeing have become second nature within the staff community.
We have an on-site health and wellbeing centre, where staff are available throughout the week for support. Whether it be form tutors, houseparents, or the wellbeing centre, there will always be plenty of touch points for pupils to reach out to. Our boarding staff work with key members of staff who maintain close links with parents, so they’re always in the loop.
Our ‘Wellbeing Wednesdays’ provide dedicated sessions of mental health awareness for the whole school each week. We schedule in time outside for pupils to get some downtime away from their studies.
4. What facilities are on offer to help students develop their skills and passions?
This is crucial – if pupils are going to get the best out of their education, the environment needs to cater to accelerating and aiding their success.
We focus on providing a balanced education for our pupils here at Repton. The School encourages them to take up their interests and hobbies as well as their academia, creating opportunities to pursue sports, drama and music to a high level.
Repton is a sought-after school for sport, attracting attention for our sports facilities and coaching team on an international scale, as far as Germany and Nigeria.
We have specialist science, design, technology and art departments, which are rare to find in prep or primary schools.
We believe any pupil should have the opportunity to do what they love to the best of their ability. As we are a through-school, we have the availability to share resources, so we make use of the senior school’s international sports coaches, as well as having academic tutors who live on-site.
Repton Prep offers an extensive programme of activities for pupils to explore, which they can continue to enjoy when they transition onto the Senior School too.
5. What is the boarding environment like for pupils?
Our main strength is the community feel experienced by both staff and pupils whilst at the school – it's just like joining a big family.
The School is situated on 55 acres of land in Derbyshire, with a lake for paddle-boarding and a high-ropes course for those brave enough! We also have astro pitches and plenty of fields for pupils to explore and utilise for sporting activities. All boarders are afforded a wide range of opportunities which help expand their horizons, push their boundaries and grow their confidence.
Visit us on our next Open Day on Saturday 30 September 2023.
To find out more on what Repton has to offer for your child, visit reptonprep.org.uk. To make an enquiry, contact admissions@repton.org.uk or 01283 707112.
