Home | Prep School

Prep School

Years One and Two

To ensure a successful transition from Reception to Year One, children will have a range of opportunities to continue to learn through purposeful play throughout the first half term before diving deeper into the Year One curriculum.

During Year One, there is a greater focus on developing children’s self-awareness and independence to ensure they can take increased responsibility for their belongings, behaviour and learning. Children are also encouraged to begin thinking about their learning targets and how they can challenge themselves in their education to drive their learning forward.

Year Two marks the end of the Key Stage 1 journey. Learning becomes more structured, and topics and ideas become more complex, but our pupils are ready for the challenge as the enthusiasm for learning they have developed in Reception and Year One serves them well. The pastoral care of pupils is supported by their Class Teacher, who teaches all core subjects.

Years Three to Six

In Years 3 to 6, we sustain our emphasis on breadth and balance, ensuring that children enjoy their learning whilst being mindful of the necessity to prepare them for the important senior school entrance exams they take in Year 6.

Children have subject specialists for Maths, English and Science and continue to have specialist teachers in music, drama, French, Spanish, P.E. and Forest School.

The increased independence is given to children in Upper School as children move between the different subject rooms, a structure that reinforces the transition to secondary school.
Through the embedded use of learning partners, pupils develop positive communication techniques such as open-ended questioning, active listening and debate. Such collaboration fosters creative problem-solving, critical thinking skills and confidence in expressing their ideas.

Our dedicated specialist teachers work closely with pupils and parents to give them the tools they need for their 11+ journey. Learn more about preparation for the 11+ here.