Parent Resources
We understand how important your child’s educational journey is, providing them with the platform for their growth into adult life. Dave & Sue have tried here to provide a central point where you, as a Parent, are able to find relevant information about your child’s educational journey. This starts with choosing their Primary School and concludes with post GCSE/ A Levels. Our aim is to partner with you throughout this key phase of your son or daughter’s development.
Primary Education
Which school should I choose for my son or daughter?
Below are the names (and links to the websites) of Primary Schools across the City of Derby. The majority of these lie within the catchment area of our Kip McGrath Centre in Allenton, but some take their catchment across the City of Derby. We’ve built up a fair amount of experience/ knowledge about these schools over the past 13 years or so; if you have specific questions please ask us directly. We’re even aware that some teachers within these schools recommend Kip to Parents, as they have seen for themselves the benefits for children they teach in school.
- Alvaston Junior Academy
- Lakeside Primary Academy
- Wyndham Spencer Academy
- Sale & Davys C.E. Primary School
- Chellaston Infant School
- St John Fisher Catholic VA
- Grampian Primary Academy
- Chellaston Fields Spencer Academy
- Alvaston Infant and Nursery School
- Oakwood Junior School
- Shelton Infant School
- Ash Croft Primary School
- Aston on Trent Primary
- Ashwood Spencer Academy
- Homefields Primary
- Chellaston Junior School
- Allenton Primary Academy
- Weston on Trent Primary Church of England Aided Primary School
- Landau Forte Moorhead Academy
- Oakwood Infant and Nursery School
- Clover Leys Spencer Academy
- Redwood Primary School
- Cottons Farm Primary Academy
- Shelton Junior School
Kip examples of primary worksheets for Parents
To provide you with a flavour of the type of work we provide for students here are a few examples of Maths and English tasks we give to our Primary students. The actual tasks they’re presented with will be individual to them and will be at a level appropriate to their current abilities.
Primary-English-Example-Questions
Primary-Maths-Example-Questions
These provide a taste of the sorts of activities Primary students are given at Kip. Our goal is to provide your child with the tools they need to be more successful in school.
Year 2 (KS1) SATS for 6-year-olds
These are UK wide tests that all schools undertake to assess the current levels of their students at 6 years old. At Kip we work to develop the skills children require to succeed in these tests.
Click the link below to take you to the Gov.uk site to obtain more information and to access past papers for these tests. We will often work through these with students prior to them sitting the tests themselves.
Year 6 (KS2) SATS for 11-year-olds
As with Year 2 SATS these are UK wide benchmarking tests for all 11 year old’s. At Kip we work with these students to develop the skills required to succeed in these tests, including building confidence and self-esteem. Again, our strategy involves working through past papers prior to the actual tests.
Click on the link below for further information and past papers for the KS2 SATS tests.
The outcomes of these tests are often used to influence Secondary School initial student banding.
The transition from Primary to Secondary
This is probably the most important change your child will experience in their academic life. Finding the right secondary school for them will be a different question for each parent. There are many factors to consider, including which secondary school their friends are going to. We know parents plan well in advance for Secondary School, often deciding to move house to be sure they live within the catchment area of their preferred school.
Here are the names and links to the websites of Secondary Schools within the Kip McGrath Derby South area. As with Primary Schools, there are also Secondary schools that operate a city-wide catchment. We also have a plethora of information that we’ve built up about individual schools so if you have specific questions, please ask us directly.
Links to useful websites
Here are links to websites we think will be helpful throughout your child’s transition through Primary education and eventually into Secondary. These are all actively recommended by us and by your Kip McGrath Derby South teachers.
View Further Information
Here are some links to some high-quality resources for all stages of Primary that we use (and recommend.)
Twinkl Blog (The Best Teaching Resource Websites)
Secondary Education
Which school should I choose for my son or daughter?
Below are the names (and links to the websites) of Secondary Schools across the City of Derby. Most lie within the catchment area of our Kip McGrath Centre in Allenton, but some take their students from across the City of Derby. We’ve built up a good amount of experience/ knowledge about these schools over the past 13 years or so; if you have specific questions, please ask us directly. We’re even aware that some teachers within these schools recommend Kip to Parents, as they have seen for themselves the benefits for children they teach in school.
Kip McGrath Derby South Catchment
City Wide Catchment
- Saint Benedict Catholic VA
- Allestree Woodlands School
- Landau Forte College Derby
- The Kingsmead School
- UTC Derby Pride Park
- The Cathedral School
Links to useful websites
Here are the links to the Derby City Council website where you can find out all about applying to get your child a place in a Secondary School in Derby.
www.Derby.gov.uk – Apply for Year 7
www.Derby.gov.uk – Secondary Admissions
www.Derbyshire.gov.uk – Secondary Admissions
Here are links to other websites we think will be helpful throughout your child’s transition through Primary education and eventually into Secondary. These are all actively recommended by us and by your Kip McGrath Derby South teachers.
Which set will my child be put into in Secondary school?
You son or daughter will complete Year 6 SATS at the end of Primary School. Your chosen Secondary School will either then use the results of these, or carry out their own CAT tests to determine their set/ banding requirements. Your child will be placed initially into the sets that are appropriate for their current ability levels. This is the starting point for your child’s Secondary school journey and the set/ banding system will remain in place throughout their Secondary education. Our experience is that it is beneficial for your child to be placed in the highest band possible, as this will enable them to really push on with their learning. On a weekly basis at Kip, we receive Parent feedback that, through attending Kip, children have been moved “up a set”, which provides our teachers with continued motivation to succeed.
Here’s a link to further related information.
Kip examples of secondary worksheets for Parents
To provide a flavour of the type of work we provide, here are a few examples of Maths and English tasks we give to our Secondary students. The actual tasks they’re presented with will be individual to them and will be at a level appropriate to their current abilities.
Secondary-English-Example- Questions
Secondary-Maths-Example-Questions
Our goal at Kip is always to provide your child with the tools they need to be more successful in school.
Year 11 (GCSE) Sample Papers for Parents
GCSE’s are UK wide exams that mark the end of the secondary phase of students’ education. The outcomes of these exams dictate the options that students have post 16. At Kip we work to develop the skills young people require to succeed in these tests, including both past papers and exam technique.
Here are some useful links to the GCSE Exam Board sites to obtain more information, and to access past papers for these exams. For this section to be more useful you’ll need to know which Exam board your child is studying in School.
Year 13 (A-Level) Sample Papers for Parents
Following good GCSE results, some students choose to continue with their academic course of study. The next step for them is to reduce the subjects they study to 3 (or 4 in some cases.) These subjects are likely to be the ones the student enjoys most/ thinks that they will benefit them if they have a specific career in mind. In order to do A-Levels the student will need to find a School or College offering the subjects they wish to study, which might involve remaining at their current school, moving into Sixth Form. At Kip McGrath Derby South we help students succeed in A Level Maths and English exams, again including past papers and exam technique.
Here are some useful links to the Exam Board sites to obtain more information and to access past papers for these exams. For this section to be more useful you’ll need to know which Exam board your child is following in School.
What next, post GCSE or A-Level?
A bewildering array of options face young people post A Level. Reaching the age of 18 opens up opportunities, from University to Apprenticeship and everything in between. Our experience is that by the age of 18 most students have a better idea in respect of their preferred career path, and the choice they make is greatly influenced by this. Specific careers e.g. Doctor, require a well mapped pathway to be followed. Careers advice is available in school and college to allow students to make informed choices.
Here are some useful links to allow you to find more information:
UCAS -Understanding Apprenticeships
Derby University – Business Services, Developing People & Apprenticeships
Links to useful websites
Here are links to websites we think will be helpful throughout your child’s secondary education. These are all actively used and recommended by us and by your Kip McGrath Derby South teachers.
Maths Websites (Free Resources)
English Websites (Free Resources)
Independent Schools
Independent (private) schools in Derby
Independent schools usually attract fees, though in some circumstances bursaries and/or grants may be available. Some schools offer day attendance, whilst for others, boarding will be available. They may also be linked with a specific faith element.
The typical benefits of sending your child to an independent school can include:
- Smaller class sizes, that allow for individual attention and more time with teachers
- High academic standards that nurture intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning
- Choice of subjects and co-curricular offerings that suit the interests and abilities of students
- Outstanding facilities and resources that enhance the learning environment
- Pastoral care and ethical ethos that support the personal growth and well-being of the students
- Greater element of parental choice and increased chances of getting a top university place
As with all education-based decisions, families think carefully about whether or not to send their child to an independent school. It’s not an easy call to make. Please speak with Sue if you’d like some guidance with your considerations.
Here are some links that might be useful listing all independent schools within Derby and an article helping to weigh up the pros and cons to attending independent schools.
Independent (private) schools in Derby – ISC
State School Vs Independent School: The Pros & Cons (sfia.co.uk)
Sue & Dave would love to receive your feedback on this Parent resource page.
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