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A happy and positive start to school life is one of the most important gifts we can give to any child.
In our Pre-Prep Department, we endeavour to harness a young child's enthusiasm and curiosity by offering a curriculum that allows them to learn through guided play and practical experiences in their Reception Year. These activities are planned and implemented by gifted and well-qualified teachers with the help of enthusiastic teaching assistants. A sound start in the Reception class, consolidated by a slightly more formal approach to the curriculum as they move through Years 1 and 2, prepares children for entry into the Prep School at age 7+.
Reading is taught using a multi-sensory approach combining phonics and 'look and say' methods. All children read to an adult every day. This approach allows most children to become fluent readers with excellent comprehension skills with the ability to write well-constructed stories based on a sound grasp of English grammar and spelling rules in preparation for the demands of Year 3.
The children also enjoy participating in role-play situations, class assemblies, as well as Christmas and end of term performances, which give them the opportunity to speak clearly and confidently to an audience.
A specialist teacher teaches French to classes of Year 1 and 2 children.
Mathematical concepts are developed through games and free play with counting aids, before being refined and consolidated in a more formal manner to ensure that the 4 rules of number are understood and applied and children develop an awareness of place value. Multiplication tables are taught and all Year 2 children enjoy the challenge of becoming the 'Tables Champion!'
Knowledge and understanding of the World is taught through 'Topics' with a history, geography or science bias to ensure a balanced curriculum. This year Reception children have learnt about Plants and Gardens, Toys and the 5 Senses. Year 1 have explored Forces, Italy and North American Indians and Year 2 have spent time finding out about Castles, the Arctic and Antarctic and Rainforests and Mini-beasts. All these topics are supported by educational visits whenever possible.
Every child in the Department enjoys creative activities of many kinds. Painting, drawing, model making and collage work all form part of a broad based scheme of work that is planned to ensure that children develop fine motor skills and the ability to enhance aspects of their work in a visual manner. Emphasis is placed on displaying work in such a way as to both celebrate the work of the individual and also to create a lively, colourful and stimulating environment in which to learn.
Music is taught by specialist staff and class teachers who encourage children to use the many percussion instruments available to them to accompany their singing. The Year 2 choir took part in the Kettering Eisteddfod recently and achieved a very commendable third place.
PE and Games are also taught by specialist staff. Gymnastic skills are developed and hand and eye co-ordination is fostered through informal games, in readiness for rugby, hockey, netball, cricket etc., as the children progress through the school. We have our own Sports Afternoon where traditional races are run in which all the children participate. All the children have access to an outdoor area, equipped with a climbing frame, ride-on toys and small play equipment for use on a daily basis at playtimes.
All areas of the curriculum are enhanced by ICT. As well as computers in every classroom, the Department has its own computer suite, situated in our library. A weekly lesson is timetabled in the main computer room where pupils have individual machines at which to work.
After school clubs are available for Year 2 children. Currently these are for art, cookery, games and singing and these change periodically.
Opportunities are provided, through assemblies, class discussions and the teaching of some religious beliefs, for children to understand the importance of respect for others in school and in the wider world.
As a Department, we aim high academically but more importantly, we also strive to ensure that every child is nurtured in such a way as to ensure they are confident, achieve their potential and become polite, good mannered, caring and responsible pupils by the time they move on to the Prep School.
Leonardo da Vinci
