Spanning across Years 6 to 8, the Lower School at Emanuel is a happy and caring community which celebrates each individual’s academic and co-curricular successes.
We understand the complexities of modern life and the importance of making the most out of school, so we hope to equip pupils with the necessary skills they may need as they move through the school and beyond Emanuel. The Lower School is both warm and supportive, and our aim is for all pupils to be nurtured and achieve their full potential here, spending each day with a strong sense of purpose to help them realise their ambitions.
Pupils can join the Lower School either in Year 6, where we currently have two forms, or Year 7, where we have betwen six and eight forms each year. The form group is the key element in developing Emanuel’s sense of community and at the core of this are the form tutors, who see pupils twice every day and are there to offer guidance, support pupils academically, and help them to make the most out of the co-curricular opportunities on offer here. Alongside this, we have an experienced team of heads of year who take time to get to know and help support individuals in their year group, a strong learning support department and our school counsellors, who provide expert care to pupils. All pupils have the opportunity to get involved in our annual ‘MindYour5 Week’ in the Lower School, where pupils explore effective strategies to promote positive mental health, including healthy eating and activity, mindfulness and the importance of their connections with others.
From September 2024 and beginning with our new Year 6 pupils we have begun a process of becoming smartphone free for our lower school pupils. We are now advising parents not to purchase a smartphone for their child until Year 9. This decision has been based on our own in-house research (Disconnect to Reconnect) into the impact of smartphones and social media, where pupils reported feeling happier, less lonely, higher self-esteem and better levels of focus and concentration. While we understand that technology has its place in education and the modern world, we are of the firm belief that children should prioritise face-to-face play interactions, activities and play.
The experience our children have had in transitioning to Emanuel has been seamless
Current parent
The holistic education of the child is very important to us and our Life Education programme is specifically adapted to cover a range of psychological, social and health issues which are relevant to young people today. We take time to develop our pupils’ leadership skills and provide opportunities for them to share their views and learn vital communication and presentation skills through school council and weekly assemblies. When pupils first arrive, they are encouraged to sign up to some of the many co-curricular clubs available which enable them to explore their interests, develop new skills and meet like-minded pupils from other forms and year groups.
I believe very strongly in Emanuel pupils and always enjoy working with them, helping them to develop their interests, teaching them the values of kindness and consideration and enabling them to recognise and develop their own feelings.
Mrs Chetwood
Head of Lower School
Click here to find out more about settling into the Lower School from our current pupils.