The Prep Department provides an exciting, rich, warm-hearted environment where each girl fulfils her potential in the happiest of settings. 

We enjoy the rewarding challenge of taking in children both from our own Pre-Prep Department and from other schools and, after four action-packed years, sending them on to their next schools with the confidence and skills to make the very most of their future lives.  

In Years 3 and 4 classrooms buzz with activity as the children still spend much of their time with their Form Teacher, but

increasingly they go off to specialist teachers. Each year group has a learning assistant who plays a vital role in supporting

both staff and children. Reading and a short written homework

are set every evening as the girls are encouraged to become increasingly independent in organising their own work. PSHE and Circle Time are valued weekly activities, and in assemblies we aim to share the enthusiasms and achievements of each individual child. 

Educational outings, plays, concerts, fundraising activities and a wide range of other extra-curricular activities, including after-school clubs, support the busy, challenging and exciting programme, which we believe makes these years exceptionally happy for both teaching and learning. 

Years 5 and 6 aim to produce well-rounded individuals who can think for themselves, and who share our conviction that learning is fun. The majority of subjects are taught in sets by specialist teachers in their own teaching rooms. However, each form spends time with its Form Teacher every day and is also taught PSHE by the Form Teacher. The girls thrive on the stimulation of the full and active timetable. The individual needs of the pupils are catered for through careful grouping, with extension groups in English and Maths in Year 6 and special needs provision when required. Teaching methods and homework are geared towards encouraging the girls to work in a more independent way. 

Girls approach their examinations to senior schools in a calm and confident manner and consistently achieve outstanding results.  Please see the Leavers’ Destinations to see which schools our girls most usually transfer to. 

A host of educational trips help to stimulate the interest of the girls. They benefit from two residential trips during these years. In Year 5 they spend three nights on the Isle of Wight, while in Year 6 the girls go to France for a six night trip. After the KS2 examinations the timetable is adapted so that the girls can be introduced to many new skills from the arts of advocacy and the challenge of enterprise to learning about acting from the Royal Shakespeare Company.