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Each year, King’s Worcester enjoys welcoming many new families into the school community. Pupils join King’s in the Lower Fourth (Year 7) from our two Prep Schools, King’s St Alban’s and King’s Hawford, and a number of different of primary schools.
We know from experience that whilst starting senior school is an exciting step, it can sometimes seem quite daunting. King’s is a warm and welcoming school and our aim in the Lower Years is to provide a ‘soft landing’ to your child’s senior school journey. We help our pupils adapt to new ways of learning and embrace new routines, to make new friends and importantly to prepare for the later years at King’s and beyond.
Transition to King’s is done sensibly and gradually through the Lower Years, with the School’s values of ambition, resilience, humility, creativity and kindness at its centre. Pupils in the Lower Years benefit from a pastoral Form structure, which acts as a close-knit community, helping them to settle into life at King’s Worcester. Pupils have a Form Tutor who oversees their pastoral care and is their first point of contact for any queries or concerns.
Although the Lower Years are very much a part of King’s, we have dedicated areas for form and break time, our own assemblies, an adapted timetable and earlier lunch arrangements. These elements allow children to ease into their King’s journey and adapt well to the school environment and structure.
We consider the Lower Years as a natural continuation from Prep or Primary School. We want the children to work hard, challenge themselves, cultivate relationships and embrace new routines but we also want them to remain children! Our structure allows Lower Years pupils to continue to play whilst enjoying new opportunities and widening their horizons.
At King’s, we do our utmost to ensure each pupil is happy, safe and secure. In my experience, if we get this right, children’s learning and development follow naturally!
Mr Richard Chapman
Head of Lower Years
A ‘Soft Landing’ to Senior School
We know that for some, the move from Primary or Prep school can be daunting. At King’s, we gradually settle your child into life in the Senior School, supporting them as they adapt to their new environment.
Induction events
- We offer taster days for pupils from external schools, and many transition events for those in King’s St Alban’s or King’s Hawford.
- Pupils are invited to an induction evening in June in form groups, with the opportunity for parents to meet key staff.
- An induction day in September enables Year 7s come in a day before everyone else at the start of the year, where they have another tour and are given time to set up their online accounts.
- An Early Curriculum Evening in September provides parents with another opportunity to meet key staff
The School day
- There is a dedicated Lower Years playground, where pupils spend their break times. All Lower Years come together on this playground each morning to start their day.
- Registration takes place every morning in the Annett Building with tutors, who become a familiar, friendly face.
- During the first week of term, pupils are collected from their Lower Years playground for their first lesson to allow them to get to know the school layout and alleviate fear of getting lost.
- School buildings are subject specific buildings, making it easier for pupils to navigate around the campus.
- Lower Years pupils have an earlier lunch, separately from older pupils, so the dining hall is less busy.
- There is a separate Lower Years late room after school, where pupils are looked after and can relax quietly or do their homework with the same member of staff each day.
- We offer a reduced homework timetable for the first half term.
- Weekly Lower Years Assemblies build a sense of community and celebrate pupils’ achievements.
Building relationships
- Forms are also learning groups, with only Maths streamed in Year 7, and English and Maths in Year 8. This enables pupils to form strong relationships and feel secure in their friendship groups.
- An annual trip to Blackwell Adventure Centre in September helps pupils to get to know each other in a less formal setting.
