September 15, 2021
Benefits of an All Through School Model
REFLECTION
September is always a reflective time, a time for parents to think about the educational environment required for their children to flourish. Here Mrs Goodwin, Deputy Headteacher considers the advantages of the “all-through school” model. We hope you agree!
WIDE-RANGING ADVANTAGES
An all-through school has been defined by the Department for Education in England as “a school that comprises multiple phases of education provision (usually primary and secondary) in a single institution”. Having worked in a variety of educational establishments, the benefits I have seen of this format are all-encompassing, with wide-ranging advantages for students, staff and parents alike.
COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH
For parents, the school offers a comprehensive and consistent approach to their child’s education, an environment where unparalleled pastoral care processes are understood and upheld. Following a student’s learning journey from 2 ½ years old to 16 allows the school to positively support a child; knowing them well as learners. Early intervention and tracking are enhanced by the all-through setting and transition to all areas of the school is a proven positive experience.
STUDENT-TO-STUDENT MENTORING
For students, the benefits are huge; a direct product of the proximity of younger children to older ones. Student-to-student mentoring, the provision of excellent role models for younger students, leadership and mentoring opportunities to develop confidence, resilience and character, a unified approach to the school’s Character Development Programme, the facility to offer in-house work experience and an overwhelming sense of community and family are all prevalent in an all-through school. Opportunities are also offered for primary students to learn in specialist facilities, including science and technology rooms, not accessible to most primary school students.
BEST PRACTISES
For staff, there are opportunities to share best practice and cross-phase lesson observations create opportunities to learn from one another. Curricula are discussed and reviewed with skills-based learning considered, in addition to knowledge and content. The implementation of one assessment process enhances the quality of data collected, offering improved tracking and monitoring for all students. This creates a shared educational ethos that supports children from age 2 ½ to 16 and provides consistently high expectations for all. All-through education also provides greater opportunities for staff development, encouraging different phases to work together to raise standards.