Choosing the Right Time: The Journey to Senior School

In this episode, Emma Goldsmith is joined by education consultant Camilla Smiley, St Edward's Warden Alastair Churnside, and Dragon School Head of Years 7 & 8 Mary Kate Edwards to explore one of the biggest decisions families face: when is the right time to move to senior school? Together, they discuss the educational, social and emotional benefits of remaining in a prep school until Year 8, before joining senior school in Year 9. Drawing on their collective experience, they consider how these formative years help children develop confidence, independence, leadership and academic readiness, while also exploring why pupils whose schools finish in Year 6 can benefit from spending Years 7 and 8 at a prep school before making the transition. If you'd like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heels Or if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxford And if you've got any ideas or dilemmas you'd like us to discuss, please do email us at podcast@dragonschool.org Host - Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon School Camilla Smiley, Education Consultant for The Good Schools Guide Alastair Churnside, Warden of St Edward's School, Oxford Marykate Edwards, Head of Years 7 & 8 at the Dragon School Producer and Co-Ordinator - Jess Forde Assistant Producer - Sheena Lawrence Co-Ordinator – Imelia Taylor Technical Producer - Seb Engert Cover Artwork - Dan Forde @ Pier Studio