Nursery

The Nursery provides morning, afternoon or all day sessions.  It is registered with Ofsted for full day care and runs an ‘after-school club’ for those children who stay until 5.30pm.

Education in the Nursery is based on the Montessori principles. Everything in the classroom is carefully prepared to provide an environment in which the family feels secure, happy and in control. The children can choose from a wide range of multi sensory activities, such as pouring, threading, drawing, painting, sorting and construction. The environment is both exciting and stimulating which encourages self-motivation, self-discipline, concentration and, with perseverance, the thrill of success. The department has its own purpose built outside play area.

Each classroom is well stocked with resources and books and has a computer.  We have an outside play area with small woodland and garden.  We have access to the main college library, sports hall, and extensive college grounds and we also use the county library service.  The school day runs from 9am – 3.30pm.  ‘Wrap around’ care is available from 8.30am  – 5.30pm  at an additional cost (listed in the College’s  fees as “after school club”)

Pre-prep 1 (5 to 7 Year olds)

The school day runs from 9.00am – 3.30pm. Wrap around care is provided from 8.30am to 5.30pm as above.

Pre-prep 1 is a mixed year group class covering National Curriculum years 1 & 2. The class teacher has the support of a full time teaching assistant.  Specialists from the senior college teach music and P.E. The curriculum is broad and involves a two-year rolling programme of topics.

The College’s grounds, surroundings and environment provide a wonderful resource for topics.  The outside garden area is tended by the children.

Prep:  reading books are sent home each day.  Spellings and mathematics tasks are sent home once a week. SATS tests are administered at the end of Year 2, in common with children from the state sector, but are used for internal assessment only and are not recorded in government statistics.  The tests and tasks are designed to assess current levels of achievement in order to help plan and prepare for the next steps.  The Pre-prep department works to the National Curriculum and the assessments are geared to the curriculum.  Emphasis is placed on individual effort and a positive approach.

SEN screening also takes place on entering the Pre-prep department.

Prep School

Most children will spend three years progressing through this important stage in their development.  The junior years are years 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the National Curriculum.

In the department there is a combination of class teaching by the form teacher and subject based teaching by specialist teachers from the senior school.  The form teacher will teach Mathematics, English, History, Geography, RE, and games whilst the specialist teachers will teach science, French, DT, PE, Music and art within specialist areas. The form room, however, is situated within the prep school.

Scholars have increasing contact with different members of staff in the Senior College as they progress through the school in addition to their form teacher who takes care of them.

The opportunity for specialist music teaching allows many scholars to develop their individual talents and all have opportunities to succeed through a range of activities inside and outside the classroom.

Throughout, there is careful monitoring and assessment of each child by their class teachers in conjunction with their specialist teachers.

Prep is set for Prep One (Y3&4) on Wednesday evening and at the weekend.  Prep is set for Prep 2 (Y5) and Prep 3 (Y6) on Wednesday, Thursday and at the weekend but on Monday and Tuesday it is set and completed during the last period of the school day.

1^st – 3^rd Form

Scholars follow a broadly based curriculum made up of: English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, German (offered in the 3^rd form), History, Geography, Design Technology (DT), Art, Physical Education, Music, Religious Studies (RS), Information Communication Technology (ICT), Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE).

4^th & 5^th Forms

All scholars take the core subjects of Maths, English (Language and Literature), French, Biology, Chemistry and Physics (either as three separate sciences for the top set or as a dual award qualification for the lower set)

They then choose three additional subjects from Art, Business Studies, Design Technology, Geography, German, History, Music, Sports Studies.

For Maths, Science and English, scholars are placed in sets based on ability. Options subjects are placed in one or more of the three option blocks, depending on numbers and combinations.

Sixth Form

The number of subjects pursued in the sixth form depends upon the ability of the candidate and may vary from a minimum course leading to two or three AS level to the most able candidates pursuing courses leading to  five subjects at full A level. The majority will pursue a course leading to three subjects at full A level and one (normally Critical Thinking just to AS. Any coursework or practical work is spread through the two years of the courses. The three full A-level courses will last six terms, with module exams taken at various points during the year; the AS-only courses will last at least three terms with exams in January of the Upper Sixth or at the end.

Subjects on offer at both AS and A2 level include:-

Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, DT, English Literature, French, Geography, German, History of Art, History, Mathematics, Mathematics with Further Mathematics, Physics, Sport Studies.

In addition AS Critical thinking and BHSAI  equine management are also offered.

All departments offer extension classes and support for those wishing to explore subjects in greater depth.