Taking the next step into secondary education can be a nerve-wracking experience for pupils and parents alike. Head at Stockport Grammar School, Mrs Sarah Capewell, explains how to ease the transition, and why choosing independent education might be the answer.
What inspired you to work in education?
Growing up with so many teachers in my family, it was perhaps inevitable that I too would become a teacher. And yet, despite being told throughout my teenage years that it would be a good career choice for me, I railed against it for years. In my final year of my degree, I spent some time in local secondary schools (on the advice of one of my lecturers) and knew straightaway that teaching was absolutely the right path for me. Schools are vibrant and exciting places to be: young people are funny and engaging. You never quite know what to expect each day, and I still love that about school life.
What do you think makes your school different?
As an academically selective school, we will always encourage our pupils to be academically curious and ambitious. However, we also value the benefits that can be gained from activities outside the classroom. At Stockport Grammar School, we offer a huge range of co-curricular opportunities across music, drama, sport and more that allow pupils to develop personal and social skills that, combined with their academic knowledge, will allow them to be successful when they leave us. But, perhaps more importantly, we believe that giving pupils opportunities outside the classroom creates balance to their lives and helps their general wellbeing.
At this time of year, many children are getting ready to move to secondary school – what advice would you give to parents?
Starting a new school is understandably nerve-wracking for children and their parents. But most schools will offer a thorough and supportive induction process to help prepare the pupils and to reassure the parents. The most important advice I would give parents is that, even though you may be anxious, try to avoid letting your children see that. They will already be nervous, so try to avoid increasing that further with your own anxieties. If you’re worried, speak to the school about any of your concerns.
