How to Choose a School For Your Child

by Michael Johnson, Headteacher at Greenbank Preparatory School

The choice of where to educate your child is an incredibly important one, as its impact lasts a lifetime. The majority of a child’s brain development happens in their primary years. Having a positive sense of well-being and achieving academic success both depend on being in the right school environment.

Greenbank is a “home from home”. Our pupils love to learn, they are interested and curious, and they have energy and imagination. These natural characteristics are actively encouraged in our school environment.

Our pupils care about each other, they know how to care for themselves, and they care for their environment. The best setting to develop these skills and characteristics is a small, nurturing community. But don’t take my word for it; when our pupils were asked by our wellbeing lead, “how would you summarise Greenbank in one word?” the most frequent answer was “family”.

Our school maintains small class sizes, with only one class in each year group, allowing us to develop strong relationships with our children. The traditional

↓ Greenbank Preparatory School is a caring school with no limits to the ambitions for their pupils, nurture and academic excellence go hand in hand values of courtesy and respect are fundamental to our philosophy, and we encourage our children to pursue their dreams, whatever they may be. This supportive ethos is reflected in all aspects of school life, from mathematics and English to sports, music, drama and art.

You may think that the choice is either a nurturing school or an academically successful school. At Greenbank, the two go hand in hand, in fact, one supports the other. A child who feels secure and has a strong sense of belonging can reach for the stars without fear and achieve great things.

Our pupils care about each other, they know how to care for themselves, and they care for their environment

We are extremely proud of our pupils’ success at gaining entry to the top independent schools in the northwest, whether that be single sex, like Withington Girls School, Manchester Girls High School or Manchester Grammar school; or co-educational, including Cheadle Hulme School and Stockport Grammar School.

Greenbank is made up of very special individuals: teachers, administration staff, teaching assistants, parents and (of course) children. Each of these individuals is unique, and we strive to support and encourage every one.

The collective strength of our community makes Greenbank a truly special place. We believe that the school journey should be something to cherish for a lifetime, and that is what we offer at Greenbank. I hope that you will come and experience this for yourself.

Please get in touch, you can expect a very warm ‘Greenbank’ welcome!

Malcolm Johsnon is the headteacher at Greenbank Preparatory School and Day Nursery. In September he will begin his 6th year at Greenbank.

He comes from a sporting background, having been a member of the Olympic Canoeing Squad in the early 2000s. He uses what he learned about elite performance as well as responding to setbacks as an athlete, to lead the school.

64 Heathbank Rd, Cheadle, SK8 6HU www.greenbankschool.co.uk

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