Families London SW Mar-Apr 2020

Education for the 21st century
By Alison Melrose,
Head of Prince's Gardens Preparatory School
Prince’s Gardens Preparatory School is a brand spanking new, independent
school opening in Kensington this September. The head teacher Alison Melrose is
very passionate about the 4Cs of education; but what are they and why are they
pivotal in our children’s lives?
The happiness of a child is a true measure
of success and it’s a fact that children
learn best when they are happy. At
Prince’s Gardens Preparatory School, we feel
the 4Cs—creativity, collaboration,
communication and critical thinking—all help
to build confidence and support the need for a
broad curriculum; successfully preparing each
pupil for life as an intellectually accomplished
and fulfilled adult. We don’t know what the
future holds for our children so we must
prepare them to be adaptable to change
as well as having an excellent
academic education. Knowledge
will get them so far, but they must
also be able to think on their
feet, work in a flexible manner,
be independent learners and
have the human element, which
robots and AI can’t deliver.
Creativity, collaboration,
communication and critical
thinking
The 4Cs can be found across the curriculum
being applied in all aspects of education. Gone
are the days of the teacher standing at the
front of the class with an endless monologue.
We all learn in different ways and the three
most well-known areas are visual, auditory and
physical, ensuring we teach to all learning
styles is pivotal in engaging with all children.
For example, in a music class where the
children are playing musical instruments, not
“Knowledge
will get them so far,
but they must also
be able to think on
their feet, something
robots and AI can’t
deliver”
only do they need to listen to their teacher, but
they also need to work collaboratively to play
the same piece of music. They need to think
critically about how they stand, how much
space they need so they don’t bump into their
neighbour, or poke them in the eye with a bow,
and then they create some wonderful music
and have the confidence to perform in front of
an audience. These active and engaged
children retain information and are inspired to
find out more, which ultimately results in
greater progress.
Outdoor learning and
residential trips
And while progress is important
for the children, we also need to
ensure that we are mindful of
their wellbeing—healthy minds
and bodies. Prince’s Gardens has
its own two-acre outdoor area
behind the school which is very
unique in terms of London schools. We
also have access to a 70-acre outdoor learning
centre in Hertfordshire supporting the
character education programme in tandem
with an excellent academic programme. And
we have initiatives such as outdoor learning
and residential trips which provide fantastic
opportunities for collaborative and active
learning. Prince’s Gardens has a specialist
teaching room called The Maker Space where
children can really develop the 4Cs. All of
these activities develop character, teamwork,
resilience and a sense of pride.
As always, communication remains hugely
important in education, particularly in terms of
feedback. Teachers must understand what
good feedback looks like and give personalised
responses for each child in a meaningful way.
Not necessarily to praise, but to guide the path
forward as to what went well and how the
work could be even better next time. At
Prince’s Gardens we feel feedback delivered to
each pupil in class is much more meaningful
than a comment in a book that they read a
week later.
Technology in relation to the 4Cs is also key
within classrooms. It allows collaborative
learning with teachers able to sit with pupils
but still display and model parts of the
curriculum, or the children’s own work, from a
tablet directly to a screen. Classes can be
delivered with children around the world,
including Skype calls and collaborative
activities to share learning about different
cultures and languages.
Ultimately, schools must be nurturing
environments where we support children to be
the best version of themselves, make friends
and to try out a wide variety of activities and
subjects to find where their talents lie. And
most of all, to enjoy their childhood and
develop great social and emotional skills. At
Prince’s Gardens we want the children to step
out confidently in the future, be ambitious and
tenacious whilst also being mindful of the
world and their responsibility for it; and the 4Cs
are pivotal in helping us deliver that.
10-13 Prince’s Gardens,
London SW7 1ND
www.princesgardensprep.co.uk
familiesonline.co.uk
FamiliesSWLon
March/April 2020 • Families South West 13