Pre-Prep
Educating today’s children for tomorrow’s world

The Pre-Preparatory Department is housed in its own purpose-built building. Each child receives individual attention from well-qualified staff. The Department has its own playground in the Old Walled Garden and the children use many of the facilities of the Prep School, including the Gym and Swimming Pool.

The Pre-Prep provides a secure and friendly environment where children are encouraged to be confident, self-disciplined and motivated. There is a strong emphasis on the acquisition of basic skills which provide a firm foundation for future academic achievements.

We aim to introduce children carefully to school life, gradually building up their powers of concentration and creating an atmosphere that is both relaxed and stimulating. The children receive a thorough grounding in all National Curriculum subjects with a particular emphasis on English, Maths and Science. French is introduced from the age of five. As the children progress through the Pre-Prep an increasing number of subjects are taught by specialist teachers from the Prep School.

All children in the Pre-Prep have their ICT lessons in the computer suite in the Prep School. The Pre-Prep Department has access to the Learning Support Unit based in the Prep School. The small class sizes allow staff to identify any learning difficulties early. If required, the Head of Learning Support would arrange for individual lessons.

The children are given a wide range of opportunities to expand their creative skills. Many children enjoy the range of instrumental music lessons offered by visiting peripatetic staff. There is an annual Christmas Play which gives all children a chance to shine. The Pre-Prep attend the weekly Junior Assembly in the Prep School and each class is responsible for taking one assembly per term. This allows the children to develop confidence when performing in front of others and also helps them to become familiar with the whole school.

Sports skills are developed through regular PE and games lessons taught by their Form Teachers and specialist teachers from the Prep School.

The children have lunch in the Prep School Dining Room where they eat with their Form Teachers. This allows good table manners to be encouraged at all times and develops conversational and social skills.

In addition, there is an After School Care Club available until 6pm to help parents accommodate the pick-up times at the end of the day. The club offers structured creative and outdoor activities, based upon the individual children booked in for that day.

A range of After School Activity Clubs are offered throughout the school year including Sports Skills, Kwik Cricket, Art and Creative Dance.