Pre-Prep - Aged 2 to 7
Start school life in our vibrant and dynamic family
Starting school is a very important milestone in the life of your child and, indeed, the whole family. This first step on the journey of formal learning also represents the point where you begin to share the responsibility for your child’s development and wellbeing. It is a memorable and exciting time for you and your child.
Welcoming new children to our vibrant and dynamic family is also a very exciting moment for our teaching staff. They collectively embrace the trust placed in them by parents to help them to nurture happy, confident, achieving children, so vital in these formative years.
Highly trained and experienced teachers
Our teachers, all experienced and highly trained, follow our ethos of high expectation, individual determination, enthusiasm, respect, warmth and care from the outset. A walk around the school will demonstrate these qualities in abundance but also show that we never forget that children are children and should be having fun while they are learning.
Creative topic-based learning
Our Pre-Prep years see your child immersed in learning, creativity and exercise. These are closely interlinked with enthusiasm and success in one area leading to greater confidence in others. Your child will be challenged in an age appropriate way, encouraged to do their very best within their own abilities, with individual efforts recognised and rewarded. Our creative curriculum is topic-based making learning engaging, memorable and relevant. Topics frequently extend across the whole of Pre-Prep through lessons and assemblies. Each topic is designed to have a ‘stunning start’ and ‘fabulous finish’ to ensure engagement throughout. Conservation and sustainability are also woven throughout the curriculum.
Dedicated Facilities set in 22 acres
Our facilities are unparalleled in the area. Within our estate Pre-Prep enjoys its own purpose-built building with assembly hall, fully equipped gym, well-stocked library, ICT suite, art and music rooms, as well as modern classrooms with indoor and outdoor learning areas. All classrooms have interactive whiteboards and we make extensive use of iPads. We share with the Prep department our heated open-air swimming pool, new 110-seat Performing Arts Centre and our stunning 22 acre estate with its playing fields, meadow, woods, river and pond. Lunchtime is keenly anticipated not just for playtime but a choice of tempting and nutritious food and a wonderful opportunity to socialise in our family style setting where children are encouraged to try new foods and develop their best table manners.
Flexible School Day
We offer wraparound care during the term with Breakfast Club from 7:30am, a free Early Class from 8:15am and After School Care until 6:30pm. Parents can also extend their childcare in the holidays with dedicated Hoe Bridge camps at Christmas, Easter and the Summer holidays.
Parental Involvement
We value the importance of establishing a solid partnership between home and school. Our learning journey with your child is a partnership, a triangle involving the child, parent and teacher. Establishing good communication is a vital part of this partnership and encouraging families to talk directly to Nursery staff at drop off and pick up. You will also find our Head of Pre-Prep out every morning greeting families as they arrive at the start of the school day. Formal parent meetings every term and a detailed school report at the end of the year also allow for more structured feedback to parents. Embracing digital tools, our Early Years staff post videos and photos of your child's learning journey through an online platform called Tapestry, providing feedback on how your child is progressing on a regular basis.