Pre-Prep Department

Boys and girls from other pre-schools and nurseries are also welcomed at this stage and are carefully integrated with children who have moved from our own Nursery. We understand and celebrate the differences between boys and girls and ensure that our teaching methods reflect the different demands and aptitude to learning that can be apparent.

Years 1 and 2

We continue to build on the children’s prior knowledge and provide a rich and wide curriculum for the two years of Key Stage 1. Again, qualified and experienced teachers are supported by teaching assistants and a learning support teacher is also timetabled to be in each class to provide valuable help to individuals and small groups when necessary.

In addition to the specialist lessons started in Reception, the children start to learn French in small groups. The children make full use of a dedicated, self contained computer suite to support their classroom work. Reading and spelling homework are set on a regular basis. Physical activities are highly valued in the curriculum and the boys and girls have the opportunity to develop their ball skills through short tennis, cricket, rounders, lacrosse, hockey and football alongside gym, dance and swimming.

Educational visits, visitors, year group plays and concerts, assemblies, show and tell, circle time (time set aside each week when children and their teachers sit in a circle and take part in fun games and activities designed to increase self-awareness, awareness of others, self esteem, co-operation, trust and listening skills. ), ‘taking Ted home for a holiday’, judo and gym clubs, add further dimensions that excite the children in the already fun filled weeks.

At the end of their time in the Pre-Prep Department, we believe that the girls are well prepared to take on the new challenges offered to them in the Prep Department and boys at their chosen Prep school. Boys leaving at 7+ often take up their reserved places at Abingdon Prep School, the Junior School of Abingdon School, or one of the other local boys’ Prep Schools. Advice at this stage for boys moving on at 7 is available from the Head of Pre-Prep.