Challenge. Cherish. Inspire.
Pre-Prep Curriculumn

Curriculum

We are very proud of the conclusions drawn in our latest ISI Educational Quality Inspection and aspire to build on them every day, harnessing the children’s interests and the expertise of the adults around them. Professional development is vital to maintaining an engaging and inspiring learning experience for our children within an environment of shared exploration and challenge.

Pupils’ attitudes to learning are exceptional.

The excellent development of pupils’ knowledge is strengthened through the detailed and engaging curriculum.

Pupils demonstrate advanced levels of subject knowledge and develop excellent skills that they apply most effectively, ensuring their achievement levels are as high as possible.

Victoria Evans
Deputy Head Academic

Art

Art

There is a carefully planned scheme of work which focuses on skill progression from Early Years to Year 6.

Art is a very important part of our curriculum in Pre Prep and the children have time to explore their creativity as well as develop a range or artistic skills during their hour long lesson of Art each week. Sketch books are introduced in Year 1 and are used to explore techniques, develop ideas and keep a record of their work.

Computing & Information Technology

Computing & Information Technology

Computing lessons take place in half classes in Pre-Prep. The children have the opportunity to access a range of ICT equipment including, computers, Ipads and programmable robots. They learn practical skills to use the equipment, such as good keyboard and mouse skills, alongside fun challenges which require the children to use coding and software for presenting information or images. For example, being a TV chef and making a recording on an Ipad, using coding to make a working app, presenting information using slides and taking photos to edit. At each stage we encourage the children to be creative and work together to solve problems. Computing is also linked with other areas of the curriculum and technology is used by the children to enhance their learning experience and present work in different ways such as: book creator, slide presentations and data handling.

Design Technology

Design Technology

Year 1

Design Technology is enjoyed by all children in Pre Prep and a progression of designing, making and evaluation skills are explored.

In Year 1 the children take part in design tasks, joining fabric and materials using different methods. They investigate a simple mechanism and solve design problems. The children are encouraged to evaluate their work and take part in some peer assessment through discussion. They also take part in food preparation and tasting activities linked to the topics.

Art

There is a carefully planned scheme of work which focuses on skill progression from Early Years to Year 6.

Art is a very important part of our curriculum in Pre Prep and the children have time to explore their creativity as well as develop a range or artistic skills during their hour long lesson of Art each week. Sketch books are introduced in Year 1 and are used to explore techniques, develop ideas and keep a record of their work.

Computing & Information Technology

Computing lessons take place in half classes in Pre-Prep. The children have the opportunity to access a range of ICT equipment including, computers, Ipads and programmable robots. They learn practical skills to use the equipment, such as good keyboard and mouse skills, alongside fun challenges which require the children to use coding and software for presenting information or images. For example, being a TV chef and making a recording on an Ipad, using coding to make a working app, presenting information using slides and taking photos to edit. At each stage we encourage the children to be creative and work together to solve problems. Computing is also linked with other areas of the curriculum and technology is used by the children to enhance their learning experience and present work in different ways such as: book creator, slide presentations and data handling.

Design Technology

Year 1

Design Technology is enjoyed by all children in Pre Prep and a progression of designing, making and evaluation skills are explored.

In Year 1 the children take part in design tasks, joining fabric and materials using different methods. They investigate a simple mechanism and solve design problems. The children are encouraged to evaluate their work and take part in some peer assessment through discussion. They also take part in food preparation and tasting activities linked to the topics.

Drama

School Drama Lessons

Drama

Drama at The Manor covers all of the year groups, from Pre-Nursery up to Year 6.

Year 1

In Year 1, the children alternate their lessons each week with the Head of Drama. One week they have a library and storytelling lesson; the next week they have a drama lesson. In drama, the children cover topics including:

  • Pirates
  • Space
  • We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
  • Nursery Rhymes
  • Performance Poetry
  • Working with Texts

English

English

The creative curriculum is a wonderful vehicle through which to learn Literacy skills. Rich, exciting and entertaining texts are carefully chosen to suit each topic and inspire children to write poems, instructions, letters and stories. Pupils develop a love of reading, discovering a range of wonderful characters and settings, whilst broadening the imagination and learning how to craft and improve sentences and develop speaking and listening skills. Spellings, Grammar and Handwriting are practised in discrete lessons and regularly throughout the school day, in all subjects. We aim to give children reasons to use and practise their skills by responding to letters, emails and notes from book characters or exciting discoveries such as, dragon’s eggs in the classroom, paw prints of visiting polar bears or treasure chests buried in the playground! Our aim is to bring Literacy to life and instil a lifelong love of reading and writing.

Food Technology

school children in food technology lesson

Food Technology

Cookery lessons take place in our designated Food Technology room and start with our children from Year 2. Every child in Year 2 will have one half term block of lessons in which they handle, taste, talk and learn about different foods and discover ways in which eating and drinking can help them to grow and keep healthy.

The cooking processes that will come into their lessons are: weighing ingredients, spreading, cutting fruit and vegetables safely with a knife, rubbing in, kneading and rolling.

School Drama Lessons

Drama

Drama at The Manor covers all of the year groups, from Pre-Nursery up to Year 6.

Year 1

In Year 1, the children alternate their lessons each week with the Head of Drama. One week they have a library and storytelling lesson; the next week they have a drama lesson. In drama, the children cover topics including:

  • Pirates
  • Space
  • We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
  • Nursery Rhymes
  • Performance Poetry
  • Working with Texts

English

The creative curriculum is a wonderful vehicle through which to learn Literacy skills. Rich, exciting and entertaining texts are carefully chosen to suit each topic and inspire children to write poems, instructions, letters and stories. Pupils develop a love of reading, discovering a range of wonderful characters and settings, whilst broadening the imagination and learning how to craft and improve sentences and develop speaking and listening skills. Spellings, Grammar and Handwriting are practised in discrete lessons and regularly throughout the school day, in all subjects. We aim to give children reasons to use and practise their skills by responding to letters, emails and notes from book characters or exciting discoveries such as, dragon’s eggs in the classroom, paw prints of visiting polar bears or treasure chests buried in the playground! Our aim is to bring Literacy to life and instil a lifelong love of reading and writing.

school children in food technology lesson

Food Technology

Cookery lessons take place in our designated Food Technology room and start with our children from Year 2. Every child in Year 2 will have one half term block of lessons in which they handle, taste, talk and learn about different foods and discover ways in which eating and drinking can help them to grow and keep healthy.

The cooking processes that will come into their lessons are: weighing ingredients, spreading, cutting fruit and vegetables safely with a knife, rubbing in, kneading and rolling.

French

school girl writing with a pencil during lessons

French

In Years 1 and 2, French is taught each week, with the aim to develop an ear for the language. The children begin to understand and reproduce vocabulary and sentences in an authentic accent in the process of having fun. Songs and language games are used to reinforce vocabulary, and gradually the written word is introduced to develop the children’s reading in French.

Geography

Pre-Prep Curriculumn

Geography

In Geography, a curiosity and fascination about the world around us is encouraged through creative curriculum themed lessons. The children deepen their understanding of the world, the UK and their locality.

History

young child writing in a classroom

History

In History, the students develop an awareness of the past, understanding where the people and events they are studying fit within a chronological time frame. Pupils study the lives of significant individuals and famous events in time. They are encouraged to look at similarities and differences compared to their own experience and family history.

school girl writing with a pencil during lessons

French

In Years 1 and 2, French is taught each week, with the aim to develop an ear for the language. The children begin to understand and reproduce vocabulary and sentences in an authentic accent in the process of having fun. Songs and language games are used to reinforce vocabulary, and gradually the written word is introduced to develop the children’s reading in French.

Pre-Prep Curriculumn

Geography

In Geography, a curiosity and fascination about the world around us is encouraged through creative curriculum themed lessons. The children deepen their understanding of the world, the UK and their locality.

young child writing in a classroom

History

In History, the students develop an awareness of the past, understanding where the people and events they are studying fit within a chronological time frame. Pupils study the lives of significant individuals and famous events in time. They are encouraged to look at similarities and differences compared to their own experience and family history.

Mathematics

Maths lesson in school

Mathematics

In Pre-Prep, Mathematics is an exciting and thought-provoking tool in which children learn about the world around them. It should leave them with the ability to reason mathematically and give them an appreciation of the power of Mathematics, and at The Manor we aim to do just that. We intend for our children to feel comfortable to take risks, think logically and feel confident to find alternative methods. Mathematics is taught through a rich and varied curriculum that focuses on securing children’s mathematical foundations on which they will continue to build upon as they travel through the school.

Music

Prep student playing violin

Music

Every child at The Manor is given the opportunity to discover, explore and enjoy music as part of their curriculum. All classes from Pre-Nursery to Year 6 have two half hour music lessons each week, which include singing, movement, playing instruments and composition.

Pre-Prep Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education (PSHEE)

young school boy hanging from a tree

Pre-Prep Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education (PSHEE)

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHEE) supports children in their personal development and citizenship, and promotes fundamental British values, to encourage respect for democracy and also respect and tolerance for others. The PSHEE programme is delivered through circle time discussions, games, role play and the arts.

Maths lesson in school

Mathematics

In Pre-Prep, Mathematics is an exciting and thought-provoking tool in which children learn about the world around them. It should leave them with the ability to reason mathematically and give them an appreciation of the power of Mathematics, and at The Manor we aim to do just that. We intend for our children to feel comfortable to take risks, think logically and feel confident to find alternative methods. Mathematics is taught through a rich and varied curriculum that focuses on securing children’s mathematical foundations on which they will continue to build upon as they travel through the school.

Prep student playing violin

Music

Every child at The Manor is given the opportunity to discover, explore and enjoy music as part of their curriculum. All classes from Pre-Nursery to Year 6 have two half hour music lessons each week, which include singing, movement, playing instruments and composition.

young school boy hanging from a tree

Pre-Prep Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education (PSHEE)

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHEE) supports children in their personal development and citizenship, and promotes fundamental British values, to encourage respect for democracy and also respect and tolerance for others. The PSHEE programme is delivered through circle time discussions, games, role play and the arts.

Religious Education

little girl writing with a pencil

Religious Education

In RE, the children have the opportunity to explore stories from the Bible and Torah. They learn about the books, artefacts, celebrations and buildings which are important to people in the Christian and Jewish faiths.

Science

Science Student

Science

Science is a core subject within the curriculum and is taught throughout the school, harnessing the children’s own natural interest in the world around them.

In the Pre-Prep Department, Science is taught as part of the Creative Curriculum. The children are taught practical scientific methods, processes and skills. They learn to observe closely, using simple equipment. They perform simple tests, learn how to identify and classify and use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions. The children gather and record data to help answer questions.

Sport & PE

Sport and PE

Sport & PE

Due to the children’s age in Pre-Prep, they are continuing to develop fundamental movement skills and learning to perform as an individual. In the Autumn and Spring Terms, they are introduced to gymnastics, dance and racket games such as Bisi-Badminton and Short Tennis. During the Summer Term, the children explore athletics with a focus on Sports Day at the end of the term.

little girl writing with a pencil

Religious Education

In RE, the children have the opportunity to explore stories from the Bible and Torah. They learn about the books, artefacts, celebrations and buildings which are important to people in the Christian and Jewish faiths.

Science Student

Science

Science is a core subject within the curriculum and is taught throughout the school, harnessing the children’s own natural interest in the world around them.

In the Pre-Prep Department, Science is taught as part of the Creative Curriculum. The children are taught practical scientific methods, processes and skills. They learn to observe closely, using simple equipment. They perform simple tests, learn how to identify and classify and use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions. The children gather and record data to help answer questions.

Sport and PE

Sport & PE

Due to the children’s age in Pre-Prep, they are continuing to develop fundamental movement skills and learning to perform as an individual. In the Autumn and Spring Terms, they are introduced to gymnastics, dance and racket games such as Bisi-Badminton and Short Tennis. During the Summer Term, the children explore athletics with a focus on Sports Day at the end of the term.

Where Next

Whole School Open Morning- Wednesday 20 March 2024, 10:00am – 12:00pm

To book your place, visit our Admissions page or email admissions@manorprep.org