Senior Prep - Year 7&8

 

A Foundation for Confidence, Leadership and Growth

The Senior Prep years at Dean Close St John’s are a vital and exciting time in a child’s development. As pupils move from Year 6 into Years 7 and 8, these final prep school years offer a unique opportunity to grow in confidence, build leadership skills, and enjoy their final steps before senior school in a safe and nurturing environment.

Here’s why our Senior Prep makes such a difference:

• A nurturing space to grow
  For children who are less self-assured, staying in our familiar and supportive environment allows confidence to grow naturally, without the overwhelm of a large senior school setting.
   

• Leaders, not followers
  At 12 or 13, our pupils are the oldest in the school community — not the youngest in a senior school. This role helps develop independence, maturity, and a stronger sense of self.
   

• The joy of responsibility
  With added responsibilities and opportunities to lead, children thrive at the top of the school. They can enjoy their childhood fully, without the pressure to grow up too quickly — truly ‘big fish in a smaller pond’.
   

• Opportunities to lead
  Pupils can take on meaningful leadership roles such as Prefects, Heads of House, Heads of Sport or Music, and more — developing key skills they’ll carry with them into senior school and beyond.
   

• Support through a key transition
  Years 7 and 8 are often marked by significant emotional and physical changes. Our small community means every child is known and supported by trusted adults who have time to listen, guide, and care.
   

• Ready for the next step
  Senior Prep is the culmination of a child’s time at St John’s. It offers the academic rigour, life skills, and confidence they need to step into Year 9 fully prepared and excited for what comes next.