Prep School
An education which encompasses breadth of curriculum and educational rigour; one that inspires, challenges beliefs, and enables achievement. An education for tomorrow. Your child will receive the time and attention needed to develop the skills, confidence, and desire to embrace learning and prepare them for the world they will enter.
We aim to fire your child’s imagination and give them the skills they need to make their way in an increasingly complex world. Our broad and balanced curriculum, endless opportunities for personal growth, and down-to-earth community, ensures your child, the generation of tomorrow, will be equipped to achieve their full potential.
Our Prep School has its own distinctive atmosphere and learning environment, but as part of the wider College we offer a greater range of first-rate facilities, teaching resources, and opportunities than is typical of most Prep schools.
Shell is a wonderful stepping stone into the Prep School for our 7 and 8 year olds. Shell children have their own learning environment and daily routine tailored to the needs of their age group. They have a class teacher for all subjects apart from art, drama, physical education, swimming, music, RE and Computer Science. These are taught by Prep School specialist teachers, whilst enjoying regular shared activities with the older pupils.
We cultivate enquiring minds, facilitate independent thought, and enable intellectual development through the pursuit of skills relevant to today’s world.
Moving on from Shell, our pupils have specialist teachers for each subject throughout the Prep School. All our academic programmes are closely linked, ensuring that our pupils are well prepared for the step up to Senior School.
In our inspiring art department, your child will be given the confidence to achieve their artistic potential in a relaxed yet stimulating environment. Use of a variety of media encourage different skills which results in a wide range of individual outcomes, promoting a lifelong enjoyment which is centred on the benefits of creativity and mindfulness.
With access to a one-to-one device, your child will develop skills in Microsoft Office software, computing theory, and programming (visual and textual). As new technologies and advancements find their way into our world, this curriculum is constantly under review to ensure your child acquires the skills of tomorrow.
Using the facilities within our Senior School, your child will explore a range of materials and processes through exciting projects that challenge their imagination and problem-solving skills. Your child will be encouraged to make decisions about their own work and use their initiative in a curriculum which includes scope for developing personal, creative, and technical designs.
Our drama curriculum is versatile and flexible, aimed to suit all individuals. Whether your child is a budding, eager actor, or a timid, shy individual, all and in between are encouraged with opportunities to shine. Your child is positively encouraged to explore and discover themselves and express feelings and emotions through drama.
Your child will embrace, appreciate, and learn all aspects of the English language. They will develop a joy of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Library sessions and stimulating experiences, including our Festival of Literature, Poetry Declamation competition and Shaking up Shakespeare, bring literature to life for your child.
Our geography curriculum will stimulate and develop your child’s interest in, and understanding of, geographical skills and knowledge. Our extensive field-study programme, which includes on and off-site trips, teaches your child how to gather information, interpret data and present their projects.
Our History Department fosters enquiring minds, facilitates independent thinking, and emphasises co-operative work through active engagement. Your child will learn through a curriculum which reflects the continually changing society we live in.
The literature, myths and culture of the ancient Greek world, and language of the Romans, is brought to life in our Latin Department. Your child will uncover details of Roman life and mythology and delve into topics such as archaeology whilst understanding the structure and logic of the Latin language.
Mathematics develops your child’s abilities to calculate, reason logically, algebraically, and geometrically; to solve problems and handle data. Important in everyday life, mathematics presents opportunities for creativity and can stimulate moments of wonder and achievement when a problem is solved for the first time.
In our French, German and Spanish Departments your child will embark upon a lifelong enjoyment of learning languages. Your child will develop an ability to understand and communicate effectively through enthusiastic participation in all activities. They will develop essential skills to prepare them for a competitive global marketplace and to interact in our culturally diverse society.
Singing is at the heart of many lessons. Your child will develop their listening skills through learning songs, listening to music with themes and playing classroom instruments. As they move up through our school, they will consolidate knowledge of theory and notation and create their own pieces of music and compositions.
Our physical education programme aims to develop your child’s competence and confidence in a range of physical activities which include team games, athletics and more creative aspects of dance and gymnastics. We promote a lifelong enjoyment of physical activity, and an appreciation of the benefits an active lifestyle can bring alongside opportunities for personal and social development.
The study of religious studies seeks to deepen your child’s knowledge and understanding of the principal religious traditions represented in Great Britain. Your child will engage in class debates to help them tackle moral and philosophical issues. They are encouraged to become reflective learners and to develop transferable skills that can be used across several subjects.
Through our science curriculum, we will develop your child’s natural curiosity of the world around them with practical investigation work and learning. We aim to make science fun for everyone by developing attitudes of curiosity, co-operation, perseverance, open-mindedness, independency, knowledge and an understanding of science principles in everyday life.
Our well-resourced Learning Support team promotes a sense of self-worth combined with realistic expectations, encouraging your child to be proactive in their learning, to give their best and achieve their potential.
Our dedicated team work in close partnership with teaching staff, and you, to ensure your child receives the appropriate support tailored to their individual needs.
"Effective in class support from teaching assistants in the Prep School, who know the pupils well and individualise the guidance they offer, helps the pupils from all starting points make good progress" ISI Inspection 2024
"Effective in class support from teaching assistants in the Prep School, who know the pupils well and individualise the guidance they offer, helps the pupils from all starting points make good progress"