Preparatory: Year 3 to Year 6

The Prep department offers children from Year 3 to Year 6 the potential to explore a wide range of activities and educational experiences.  The ethos and atmosphere is one of happy purposefulness within a lively school schedule.  Strong emphasis is placed on creating a friendly and supportive environment in which pupils can develop their self-esteem and talents to the full.

In small class sizes, all with qualified class teachers, children also spend time with subject specialists for physical education, music, French and science.  In this department, children will:

 

  • Benefit from an increasing amount of time with subject specialists
  • Be able to select from an increasing number of extra-mural clubs and activities
  • Have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, have singing or drama lessons
  • Take part in the Springmead Award
  • Be able to join the Prep School Choir
  • Continue weekly swimming lessons
  • Be involved with increasingly sophisticated music and drama productions
  • Be able to compete at a higher level across a variety of sports, both inter-school and intra-school
  • Take on positions of responsibility in school
  • Prepare for entrance exams to senior schools

 

The rigours of study increase in the Prep department with more curriculum time being devoted to all subjects.  Some subjects are taught through themes to give meaningful context to the children’s studies.  However, care is taken not to lose subject identity.

 

Entrance Exams

Throughout their time in the Prep department children are being prepared for entrance examinations to senior schools.  This is not a ‘hothouse process’ but simply the result of consistent teaching and learning.  Children are continually assessed to enable us to plan for their next stage of learning.  We offer an entrance test club to support children in Year 6. 

Homework is fundamental to encouraging children to become independent learners.  The amount of homework children receive increases gradually, but never excessively, through the Prep department.  We offer Prep clubs two nights a week run by a qualified teacher to support children and families.