Pre Prep
The Pre-Prep Department consists of a Foundation Stage Unit, known as The Orchard, catering for children aged three to five and Key Stage 1, children in Year 1 and 2. We believe the children in the Pre-Prep learn best through hands-on experiences, small group and whole class teaching and in the Foundation Stage, play- based learning.
We offer an exciting and varied curriculum covering objectives set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and the National Curriculum, with the addition of specialist Physical Education lessons, Music, including recorder and violin in Key Stage 1, beginner French and Spanish lessons, Ballet and Swimming. Children make progress at very different rates during their early school experiences and we feel, in the Pre-Prep, with small classes, a good staff-pupil ratio, and experienced well qualified staff we can plan appropriate activities tailored to meet children’s individual needs. In The Orchard, we run a programme of continuous provision where children can independently access a range of activities usually based around a weekly theme. In Key Stage 1 children are taught core subjects by form teachers with Science, Geography and History being taught through an integrated topic approach.
The Pre-Prep children enjoy full access to all the school’s facilities. They create pieces of art with the ‘big’ children in the art room, learn about computers in the ICT suite, have PE in the school gymnasium and share books in the lovely school library. We take the children out and about as often as possible. Booted and suited in their waterproof gear we make the most of our fantastic grounds, wooded areas to explore, a pond to study, vegetable gardens to plant, orchards to pick fruit for lunch and playing fields to run through. Sometimes we explore further afield, the New Forest being a favourite, in our school minibus.
A hot lunch is served each day in the dining room. Careful consideration is given to creating balanced, yet child friendly meals. Here are some sample menus for the autumn term: Week one, Week two, Week three
