Pre Prep Department and Nursery

Very young children have a natural curiosity and enthusiasm and we aim to harness these qualities through an active, stimulating, happy and secure Pre Prep environment, in which our children can flourish into confident, well-prepared and highly motivated learners. At the same time we help them to develop into sociable and balanced individuals with good manners, self discipline, honesty and consideration for others.

The Pre Prep Department caters for children aged between 3 and 7 years. The Department includes a Nursery for children aged 3-4 years, three Reception classes (ages 4-5), three Year 1 classes (ages 5-6) and three Year 2 classes (aged 6-7). The Pre Prep includes our beautiful Georgian house, a brand new Nursery and communal area, as well as the newly built ‘Nest’ which is home to our Year 2 children.

The children are taught in small classes with a classroom teacher and teaching assistants providing a good ratio of adults to children. We aim for class sizes of 18 in Reception and Year 1 and 20 from Year 2 onwards. We normally run three classes in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, with scope to run four classes if there is exceptional demand for places in a particular cohort. Help and support is provided to the children throughout the lunch hour and break times too, meaning we have every opportunity to become very well acquainted with each child and are able to meet their individual needs.

The School follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum in the Nursery and Reception classes. We then follow an enhanced Key Stage One curriculum for our pupils in Years 1 and 2.

Outdoor learning plays an important part in our curriculum and children enjoy the expansive, secure adventure play area as well as the wider school grounds for various lessons throughout the year, as well as during their break times.

All children, including those in Nursery, are taught Swimming, Dance and Music each week by specialist teaching staff. From Year 2 onwards all PE and Games lessons are taught by specialists and children have the opportunity to attend various lunchtime sports clubs including a tennis club, led by a Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) coach.

Throughout Pre Prep, all children are also taught ICT skills and given opportunities to use the various computer suites, cameras and programmable toys. We also have numerous MP3 players, which provide a range of stories, music and learning opportunities.

There are regular performances, concerts, coffee mornings and swimming galas for parents to attend.