Channing Junior School in North London is redefining what it means to be a junior school, moving away from the traditional preparatory school model that focuses on 11+ exam preparation. According to Dina Hamalis, Head of Channing Junior School, the school is not a prep school, and this distinction is central to its educational philosophy. The school offers a through-school journey from Reception to Sixth Form, allowing pupils to bypass the 11+ entrance exams entirely.
The Historical Context of Prep Schools
Hamalis explains that the term 'prep' originates from a historical model where preparatory schools were designed to coach young boys for entry into senior boarding schools, focusing intensely on entrance exams like the 11+ or Common Entrance. This approach, she notes, treated education as a transactional race to pass a single hurdle. Channing Junior School operates on a different premise, prioritizing a broad and balanced curriculum over exam-focused drilling.
A Through-School Advantage
Because Channing is a through school, girls who join in Reception are guaranteed a place all the way to Sixth Form. This removes the pressure of 11+ exams, allowing Years 5 and 6 to be spent expanding horizons rather than drilling exam papers. Hamalis emphasizes that this freedom from 'teaching to the test' reduces stress and prevents narrowing of the curriculum and co-curriculum. Instead, learning is described as rich, immersive, and unhurried.
Holistic Development and Lifelong Learning
The school’s philosophy encourages girls to be 'Fearless Learners', taking intellectual risks and embracing mistakes as part of growth. Programmes like Philosophy and Character Education foster empathy and critical thinking, while frameworks such as Friendology build social and emotional confidence. With over 100 co-curricular clubs and quasi-professional drama and music ensembles, creativity is given space to flourish. Hamalis states the goal is not short-term exam performance but a lifelong love of learning, aiming for pupils who are intellectually curious, intrinsically motivated, and happy.
Dina Hamalis is head of Channing Junior School, and more information is available at channing.co.uk/junior-school.
