Every parent has an important decision to make when it comes to choosing the right school for their child.
Many are happy with what the state can offer, and it’s undeniably true that many state schools offer an excellent education with highly committed teachers and outstanding results. Others take a look at the Independent sector and consider the benefits that such an education would offer.
Parents often compromise by postponing the Independent School option until the age of eleven, believing that preparation for GCSEs is the main priority.
Although it is true that the best available education in the run up to GCSEs is a crucial factor in achieving academic success, it is also a recognised fact that the years prior to this are when life skills and social attributes are implanted into children’s lives in a way that will make them successful as adults.
Free from the constraints of the National Curriculum, independent schools have the capacity to enrich children’s lives and education in a way that would just not be otherwise possible. Children have much more opportunity to develop so called ‘soft skills’ at a very early age.
It is not unusual for independent schools to include a broad curriculum with activities that promote Teamwork, Communication Skills and Social Awareness; attributes that will last a lifetime and bestow a distinct advantage when it comes to entering wider society and the world of work.
As well as providing quality provision in core areas such as Mathematics, English and Science, many independent Lower and Upper Junior Schools are not restricted by the obligation to implement the SATS (Standard Assessment Tests) and therefore children experience to the full subjects such as Art, Drama, Music and also Modern Foreign Languages such as Spanish and French.
A common concern voiced by teachers in state schools is that the emphasis placed on core subjects is so demanding that children miss out on a balanced range of subjects. Independent schools thrive on such a balanced approach; teaching a vibrant, diverse and impressive range of subjects. They do all this yet still achieve academic excellence as well as favourable results from regulatory organisations such as Ofsted. Most importantly, the children feel happy and fulfilled.
Smaller class sizes and a higher number of teaching staff means that pupils’ individual needs are more than adequately catered for. Good behaviour is nearly always a prominent feature of the independent sector and this is largely due to the community atmosphere and sense of belonging that is endorsed by staff and pupils alike.
Independent schools:
- Teach higher social skills
- Offer a vibrant and impressive range of subjects
- Are not constrained by restrictive testing
- Have a much lower teacher to pupil ratio
- Encourage a sense of community
- Sustain happy and fulfilled children
Dale House is an outstanding independent private school with a broad curriculum which caters for a variety of academic abilities and provides great opportunities for sport, music, dance, art, drama and foreign languages(Spanish and French).
Their catchment area covers Batley, Wakefield, Leeds and parts of West Yorkshire and cater for both boys and girls from ages 2-11 years old.
