Over the course of a child’s educational journey, making the transition between different stages can feel like crossing a mountain, with every step along the way being key to their continued progress. In particular, the transitions from Pre-Prep to Prep School and from Prep School to Senior School are of paramount importance. More than just a step up in terms of the academic challenges they face, these transition periods require them to adapt to a whole new set of psychological circumstances, new daily habits, and a new learning environment. At KSS, we are well aware of the importance of these periods, so we have implemented a series of bespoke measures and support systems to ensure a stable transition for our students.

Pre-Prep to Prep: a Stable Transition, a Happy Journey

The transition from Pre-Prep to Prep School is a huge leap in the development of a child. Every Friday, KSS Pre-Prep’s K3 pupils come to our Prep School for a day of lessons, so that they can get used to the environment and atmosphere of our Qianhai campus. There they take classes in phonics, music, drama, PE, art, and more, and experience the joy of learning through play. The calm and stimulating atmosphere of our main campus ensures that their transition to Prep is a smooth one.

Moreover, the KSS Pre-Prep to Prep Transition Curriculum also includes instructions on classroom rules at Prep, and guidance on how to study and how students should manage their time. This friendly advice not only helps children become familiar with Prep, but also makes them enthusiastic for this next stage in their learning journey.

To further support the transition from Pre-Prep to Prep, KSS has also scheduled a series of information sharing sessions and demo classes for parents. We cordially invite all parents to come to King’s and learn about the transition, so that they can join us in supporting their child during this period.

Prep to Senior: Developing Dreams, One Step at a Time

One of the reasons why transition periods can be difficult is that each stage has its own unique educational goals and focal points. Prep School is a time of expanding knowledge, and Senior School is the time to prepare for and embark on one’s dreams. In these periods full of personal growth and looking forward to the future, the care King’s has for its students becomes especially evident. To optimally support our pupils’ pursuit of their ambitions, we have implemented a series of measures to make their journey to and through secondary education a smooth one.

Firstly, the KSS curriculum is structured to ensure that students pass through the stages of their education in a stable manner. In Senior School, their tutors, subject teachers, and university applications coordinator work together to provide each student with individualised academic guidance and support, both aimed at increasing their subject knowledge, and at improving their learning strategies.

Secondly, KSS pays great attention to any issues related to students’ psychological adjustment to Senior School. The transition to Senior School marks a new stage in their education, which often sees them face academic and interpersonal challenges that they have not encountered before. For this reason, King’s provides a wide range of co-curricular activities, which help students regulate their emotions, increase their confidence and self-awareness, and enter Senior School with a positive attitude.

Thirdly, good academic preparation is a key factor in the transition to Senior School. King’s is organising information sharing sessions and seminars on specific topics to explain the characteristics and requirements of secondary education to parents and students, which will help students create scientifically-sound study plans and provide everyone with a comprehensive understanding of KSS’s Senior School and the pathway to university.

Pre-Prep focusses on play-based learning and exploration, in Lower Prep, children begin to learn in a structured and systematic way, in Upper Prep, pupils expand and diversify their knowledge, and in Senior School, the focus is on developing and deepening students’ thinking. The question of how best to ensure balance between these approaches and support children in their transition between these stages is one that every educator has to consider carefully. 

The transitions from Pre-Prep to Prep and from Prep to Senior are both occasions to reflect on students’ progress so far, and opportunities to think about the future. The King’s School Shenzhen cares deeply about the growth of each and every one of its students. Our outstanding Pastoral Care provision and comprehensive support system allow all of our students to advance to the next stage in their educational journey calmly and confidently, and to pursue a bright future!