Prep Journey
For a successful school transition
The Prep Journey is a two-year personal development programme for Year 5 and 6 students to learn the essential skills for secondary school assessments and interviews.
We work with
Why the Prep Journey
The Prep Journey focuses on both character education and excellent future schools outcomes.
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Bespoke, long-term approach
Students benefit from highly personalised sessions and workshops across both Years 5 and 6.
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Satisfies ISI guidance on personal development
The programme covers keys areas of inspection framework, simplifying admin for schools.
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Inspirational team of mentors
Our mentors reflects a diverse and exciting professional group that can energise and inspire students.
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Reporting for both school and parents
Schools receive a full impact report, whilst parents receive individual reports on their child’s progress.
How it works
Journey timeline
Autumn Y5
Launch Day
Individual 1:1 sessions for each student fostering an early understanding of character and virtue.
Spring/Summer Y5
Communication Day
After a group assembly for the whole year group, mentors run 30-minute 1:1 sessions with students to learn four key communication skills.
Summer Y5
Team Day
Replicating an adult assessment day with a keen eye on school group assessments, this is outdoor learning (weather permitting) focused on child-to-child interaction, teamwork and communication.
Autumn Y6
Interview Day
Students have another opportunity to hone their interview skills with 1:1 sessions with a mentor and a school-specific mock interview.
Spring Y6
Graduation Day
As students prepare for the next steps of their education, our mentors run final workshops to reflect on successes and setbacks, and put together a game plan for the future.
Metrics that matter
8.6
How valuable students rate the Prep Journey out of 10
+20%
Increase in how prepared students feel to handle an interview in the future
+14%
Increase in how confident students feel about their move to secondary school
Testimonials
What they say
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Ken Annis
Deputy Head, Edgeborough School
“You seem to know the students as well in 25 minutes as I have in three years! I have been very impressed; it has gone down very well with parents and added another dimension to what we do.”
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Jeremy Banks
Headmaster of Caldicott School
“Children with Oppidan feel empowered. I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone who believes the child should be at the heart of a great education.”
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Mark Edwards
Deputy Head, The Dragon School
“The team were professional, friendly and experienced. Reports were thorough and useful for children, staff and parents.”
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Bex Tear
Exec Head of Fulham School
“The perfect tonic for those facing a hectic testing system at 11+ and 13+.”
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Sophie Banks
Head of Pembridge Hall School
“We are very proud to be working with Oppidan Education ensuring our girls have the best preparation for their future.”
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Laura Rodgers
Deputy Head Academic
“Thank you for all you guys do to help our girls thrive.”
Journey in action
Prep school case studies
Frequently asked questions
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Having worked with 100+ schools in the UK and abroad, schools greatly value our experience in essential skills and the highly personalised learning our mentors deliver.
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In designing our content, we’ve worked closely with the Oxford Character Project and the Skills Builder Partnership. You can learn more about our framework and research here.
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We have developed our own, tailored resources based on almost a decade of experience in mentoring students one-to-one and in groups. Driven by our early adopters, our content responds to schools’ needs and the desire to make our programmes relevant and engaging.
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Oppidan is regularly asked to support with inset days and teacher CPD. As experts in character, we’re committed to ensuring that the staff room understands and supports our involvement. We’ll provide additional resources and our character handbook to further lighten the load for teachers.
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Every Oppidan mentor has an enhanced DBS check and has been trained in safeguarding. We share our policies with a school as we begin our partnership and always support the specific safeguarding needs and regulations in each setting.
