EDUCATION CORNER PODCAST
EDUCATION CORNER PODCAST INTERVIEW WITH THE HEADMASTER
Mr. Joe Knight FROM THE WHITE HOUSE PREP SCHOOL, LONDON In this episode of Education Corner Podcast, Mr. Joe Knight spoke to us about the ethos of The White House Prep School, how it embraces its family-centric foundation and how it is preparing children for a fast-changing world.
Mr. Joe Knight’s journey into education spans the globe, from the U.S. to the Middle East and now to The White House Prep School in southwest London. Reflecting on his career thus far, he highlighted his experiences across diverse educational environments, including Millfield School in Somerset and Brighton College in Abu Dhabi, which shaped his philosophy on the value of a nurturing, “family-centric” school community. “It’s like a family. Everybody gets involved and everybody has an influence in some sort of way,” he told us, noting that this ethos stretches to every element of the school – from staff to pupils – creating a supportive atmosphere where children can flourish. At The White House Prep School, family values are central to the educational experience. Joe emphasised the importance of “learning through play”, nurturing curiosity and allowing children to progress at their own pace. Drawing inspiration from Friedrich Fröbel’s philosophy, which encourages respecting children’s developmental stages, Joe explained that this approach fosters
confidence and self-esteem: “We far too often see children rush to grow up too quickly,” he expanded, “we want them to enjoy their childhood and explore, flourish and love their journey.” Joe is optimistic about the school’s future, despite challenges facing the broader educational sector. He told us that the school has set its sights on “expansion and development” rather than regression. Recently, The White House School was granted approval for expansion, allowing it to increase enrollment and continue to thrive. With its affiliated nurseries and a clear plan for steady growth, the school offers a competitive advantage: high academic standards and placement success at secondary schools, all while maintaining accessible fees that are “substantially lower” than some of its “rivals.” As Joe proudly affirmed: “We’ve shown ourselves to be one of the fastest-growing schools in the sector.” The White House Prep School has designed an extended curriculum that prepares pupils not only for academic success but also for real-world challenges, teaching their students “to be prepared for and curious about the wider world” beyond the classroom. The school’s Enterprise and Choice lessons start from the early years and expand as students progress towards their senior years. “We’re teaching and preparing children for jobs EDUCATION CHOICES MAGAZINE | AUT UM N 2024 | 13
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