Pre-Prep
The Pre-Prep is housed in its own purpose-built premises and was opened in 1995. The department is surrounded by green spaces and ancient woodland. The grounds are a wonderful resource for science activities with the woodland, a meadow and a pond. There is also a purpose built adventure playground specifically for the use of the Pre-Prep children.
Entry into the Reception year is by assessment which takes place annually in January. There are three forms in each year group and a staff to pupil ratio of 1:10. Teaching staff are assisted by nursery nurses, teaching assistants and learning support staff. The children are also taught by specialists in art, music, sport and ICT and we have our own librarian.
The spacious classrooms each have double doors which open out onto a patio area and the Reception forms have a specially designed, secure, outdoor learning area. Every classroom has its own integral cloakroom and the Reception classrooms also have their own toilets. The large central atrium houses a well stocked library.
Every classroom, including the learning support room, has its own interactive whiteboard. All classrooms have in addition two computers. Children have a weekly session with the ICT specialist in the computer suite. Music lessons take place in the music school and we have use of the gymnasium and separate sports hall. The children have weekly swimming lessons in the school outdoor pool in the summer months.
Our aim is to provide an all-round educational experience of high quality and we place a high emphasis on children’s happiness and well being.
Key Stage 1
In Key Stage One, we aim to provide a broad, balanced and challenging curriculum, where the children are introduced to and develop a range of knowledge, skills and concepts. Our experienced teachers have mapped out the Key Stage One curriculum to ensure that, where possible, the children can make purposeful and meaningful links between subject areas and are able to transfer skills taught in one subject area to another.
We also value the development of personal and social skills alongside high academic achievement. It is our aim to ensure the children enjoy their education, leading to a lifelong love for learning.
It is our belief that children learn best through first-hand experience and our teaching aims to provide this whenever possible.
A typical week in Key Stage One will involve daily lessons in Mathematics and English. Science, Geography, History, Religious Education, Design and Technology and Personal, Social and Health Education are all taught throughout the week by the class teacher.
Art, Music, ICT, Drama, Gym and Physical Education are taught by specialist teachers and are part of the weekly timetable. The Year Two children also receive lessons in conversational French twice a week. In addition, swimming lessons take place in the summer term. Throughout the year we have visitors into school to support our themed topics as well as a school trip each term.
Once the children are in Year Two they are offered the opportunity to choose an after school hobby which adds to the enrichment and breadth of the daily curriculum.
The children are encouraged to be independent and to take responsibility for their own learning and actions. We have high expectations for all, with a clear focus on high achievement for every pupil taking into consideration their individual abilities, aptitudes and aspirations.
