74% of Year 6 Pupils Awarded Head’s Recommendation for King Edward VI Southampton
We are pleased to announce that 74% of our current Year 6 pupils were awarded the prestigious Head’s Recommendation last Summer, securing an early guarantee of a place at King Edward VI Senior School for Year 7 this coming September.
Now in its fourth year, the Head’s Recommendation pathway continues to provide a well-established and trusted route to senior school and Year 5 parents will be finding out the result of their child’s Head’s Recommendation in just a few weeks’ time. This route offers families reassurance and continuity, removing much of the pressure traditionally associated with entrance examinations. Rather than relying on a single test result, the recommendation recognises each child’s progress over time, their academic potential, and their social and emotional readiness for the next stage.
Earlier this year, Year 6 pupils sat the KES entrance exam at Highwood House, a day ahead of the main sitting at King Edward VI Senior School. Holding the exam in a familiar setting helped to create a calm and supportive atmosphere, enabling pupils to approach the assessment with confidence and focus.
By alleviating the pressure of one-off exam outcome, the Head’s Recommendation allows pupils to fully embrace their final year at KES Prep. This includes enjoying a broad range of extracurricular opportunities, focusing on learning with curiosity, and making the most of key moments such as the festive Christmas period, which is such a special time at this age.
Head Rebecca Smith commented:
“We are immensely proud of our Year 6 pupils and all they have achieved and I look forward to letting our current Year 5 pupils know the outcome of their Head’s Recommendation in just a few weeks’ time. Reflecting far more than exam results alone; it recognises steady academic progress, personal growth and a genuine readiness for senior school. This outcome is a wonderful reflection of the pupils’ dedication and of the supportive, nurturing environment in which they have flourished.”
You can find out more about the Head’s Recommendation Pathway at KES Prep here.
