The current move from primary to secondary education can feel like a daunting cliff edge for most young girls, with research indicating that they often experience decreased self-esteem post-transition to secondary school. However, the research base suggests that a positive transition programme can mitigate these effects.
Recognising this, Bromley High School is pioneering a new approach that begins at Year 5 and extends through to Year 8 to effectively bridge the traditional Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3 divide. Innovation for us isn’t about mere tokenism; it’s about meaningful change.
What does Middle School look like at Bromley High School?
Having launched in March, the Middle School phase is designed to provide a seamless transition for pupils, encompassing bespoke curriculum elements and comprehensive pastoral support.
Central to the Middle School philosophy is the idea of personalised education, tailored to each girl’s needs and aspirations. By focusing primarily on gaining a deeper understanding of each pupil, the school aims to create an environment where every girl can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
We are developing clear curriculum links to GCSE options to give Year 8 pupils a head start on making future choices and encourage aspiration and challenge for the junior years. We have already incorporated discrete study skills clinics for Year 7 and 8 to provide all-round curriculum support.
“We had the perfect opportunity to reclaim the concept of a middle school as a place of security and growth.”
We are working together more closely and benefiting from continued professional development on research-based approaches that specifically support the crucial years between ages 10-13. These include cross-phase work taking the “best bits” of pedagogy from both phases to incorporate throughout the four years.
We have also implemented a new wellbeing transition programme from Year 5 through to Year 7 that champions wellbeing and focuses on developing self-advocacy and study skills to be delivered during form time and through discrete masterclasses.
This will empower pupils to gain the independent learning skills required to thrive in a senior environment whilst also removing the idea of the primary school cliff edge. Pastoral leadership opportunities are available for all years as well as whole phase events like trips, workshops and vertical (across years rather than within year) pastoral groups.
Why now?
Through reflective practice, we recognised the anxiety that our pupils feel when transitioning to secondary school. Especially living in a post-pandemic era where many of our pupils lost vital years to rehearse vital transitions and gain wider social experiences. The daunting prospect of change seemed to loom larger than we have seen previously.
After extensive research analysis, it is consistently found that girls’ self-esteem is lower than that of boys and that the middle school age group is a crucial time where huge gains can be made for students to gain a firm sense of self within their changing community.
“The Middle School phase represents a significant milestone for Bromley High School.”
As a majority of our pupils move from our junior to senior school sites, spending their entire educational journey with us, we felt we had the perfect opportunity to reclaim the concept of a middle school as a place of security and growth.
The Sisterhood: Middle School Ambassadors
Student voice and experience is at the heart of Middle School, epitomised by the introduction of Middle School Ambassadors. These ambassadors spearheaded events amplifying pupil voice, including the “Middle School Factor” talent show, uniting students from various year groups.
They’ve also established a supportive “Middle School Sister” network, identifiable by their purple jackets during breaks, offering assistance to peers. These ambassadors have showcased leadership by leading phase assemblies and actively seeking feedback to tailor them for all year groups. Their initiatives foster a vibrant community where every student’s voice is heard and valued, enriching the Middle School experience with inclusivity and support.
The introduction of the Middle School phase represents a significant milestone for Bromley High School and underscores its commitment to providing the best possible educational experience for its pupils.