Prep (Years 3-6)
The Prep School is home to:
Year 3 (Maple Class) for children aged 7-8 years
Year 4 (Cedar Class) for children aged 8-9 years
Year 5 (Hazel Class) for children aged 9-10 years
Year 6 (Oak Class) for children aged 10-11 years
The ages and classes are provided as a guide. We believe that children should work in a stage (and not age) appropriate year group. This means that some children will work in a year group beyond that of their chronological age because they have not only the necessary academic skills to do so, but also because they possess the emotional maturity. Parents are always involved in the decision making process if it is deemed appropriate for children to move into the class above.
What Happens in the Prep School?
The Prep School builds on the excellent foundations laid down in the Pre-Prep School. By the time a child starts in year 3, we expect him/her to read with fluency and expression, to have a good understanding/application of the four rules of number and place value, but more importantly, to have a love of learning, to understand right from wrong and to have the intrinsic desire to excel.
Teachers still teach in a cross-curricular fashion, but there is a gradual change towards subject specific teaching.
All Prep School classes receive a Farm School session once a fortnight.
On Tuesday afternoons, all Upper School pupils board a coach for PE/Sport lessons at the Princess Royal Sports Arena
All children receive a block of swimming lessons each year at the Geoff Moulder swimming pool.
Work Hard, Play Harder
Prep School pupils start to explore their undeniable talents by taking advantage of the many opportunities open to them. There are regular sporting competitions against State and Independent schools. Some children opt for instrumental lessons and then take ABRSM grades and/or play at school concerts. We also offer classes in singing and/or acting -pupils can take the LAMDA examinations. Past pupils now study at Chetham's School of Music and The Royal College of Music; other pupils are competing successfully in regional sporting teams. Our swimming team recently competed in the National Schools' Swimming Competition at Pond's Forge, Sheffield.
The Princess Royal Sports Arena boasts enviable facilities for a range of sports. We also use the venue for Sports Day.
A sports based club always takes place when PE lessons have finished at 3.30p.m. Recent sports clubs have been cross country, netball and badminton.
What did Ofsted 2019 say about learning in the Upper School?
Overall, pupils make strong progress across a range of subjects, so that by the time they leave the school they have reached standards that are above average for their age. The school’s assessments and pupils’ workbooks show that the majority of pupils are currently working at standards beyond those expected for their age in reading, writing and mathematics.
Read the full report here.
Our twice yearly assessments support Ofsted's findings with a large proportion of pupils working significantly beyond 'national expectations.'
