Flourishing…
Are the top academically selective schools always the best schools?
Many London parents, especially, aspire for their children to attend the city’s most selective schools - either private or state grammar.
While these schools certainly have a lot to offer in terms of academic rigour and enrichment opportunities for the right student, they can also be a pressure cooker and incredibly demanding for the wrong one.
The pressure to achieve high grades can create an overwhelming and competitive atmosphere that may not be conducive to every child's learning style or personality.
As well as this, the admissions processes for these schools are highly competitive, with several rounds of exams and possibly interviews, leading to feelings of disappointment and self-doubt for many students who may be well-qualified but not make the final fit.
This can be particularly challenging for students already struggling with anxiety or self-esteem issues, which I am seeing more and more in the wake of the Covid lockdowns.
It is my core belief that a child's academic success is intrinsically linked to emotional wellbeing. My team and I have developed a wealth of experience in providing holistic support to children and families around these complex transitions: Arzoo Arif has a master’s in positive psychology; I have trained as a coach with Graydin and completed Mental Health First Aid and Designated Safeguarding Lead training with Mind Your Health.
As the French say, “Chacun à son goût.” Many different types of schools and educational models are available, each with its own strengths and disadvantages.
For some students, a smaller, more nurturing school environment may be a better fit, where they can receive more personal attention and support from teachers and staff. For others, a highly competitive school can be just the ticket to provide opportunities and excitement.
It is all very well that 90% of students in a school get A* grades, but if your child is burnt out and unhappy, then they will be unlikely to succeed academically.
The key is finding a school that aligns with your child’s academic potential (we could bluntly call this IQ) AND their character and interests (which we could paraphrase as EQ).
Picture: 'Japanese Azaleas' by Ogawa Kazumasa, Dulwich Picture Gallery, London