| The Preparatory Department aims to instil a lifelong love of learning whilst providing scholars with the best possible foundation for their secondary schooling. The Department offers all the benefits of the College’s beautiful and extensive facilities within a safe, rural campus together with the specialist teaching of a first class Preparatory Department. Care is taken to ensure a seamless continuity for both day scholars and boarders in their transition from the Preparatory Department to the Senior College.Visitors to the Preparatory Department never fail to notice the busy, lively, and happy atmosphere nor the warmth, enthusiasm and understanding of its experienced teaching staff.New entrants from 7 to 11yrs receive a friendly and effective induction to the Department at whatever stage they join, encouraging them to have a strong sense of their own identity and their progress. Small class sizes ensure that the children receive extra attention when needed and develop their confidence in learning and social skills.Boarding girls are welcomed into Bedstone House and boys into Rutter House and full details of the boarding and pastoral life are to be found on the Pastoral section of this website.The academic curriculum goes beyond the UK National Curriculum and is designed to blend seamlessly with that of the Senior College. The work of Preparatory Department staff is complemented by Specialist teachers from the Senior College, who teach French; science; design technology; music and physical education all within specialist facilities such as the science laboratories; the Murch Sports Centre; the Hodgson design and technology centre; the ICT suite and Laming Music School. Some Preparatory Department staff also teach children in the first form of the Senior College, thus ensuring continuity and making the transition between the parts of the college even easier.All children are encouraged to participate in a wide range of activities both within and beyond the classroom providing a further opportunity to discover and develop their individual talents in areas such as music, (where individual tuition is available for all orchestral instruments), singing, ballet, horse-riding, speech and drama (in which many take the Guildhall examinations) and, of course, sport. |
The children take part in a comprehensive programme of sport with competitive fixtures in football; netball; cross country running; swimming; rounders and athletics. Every child has the opportunity to represent the College at school, regional, and even national-level. All are encouraged to handle challenges as well as success in all aspects of school life. After all home matches there is always an opportunity to socialise over afternoon tea in the Old Hall.Beyond the classroom there is an extensive programme of educational visits to theatres, museums, galleries and exhibitions, workplaces and other curriculum-related activities all of which are an important part of their learning experience. The many visitors to the Preparatory Department include artists, writers, poets and story-tellers; representatives of national and local charities; the emergency services; and local church leaders who are invited to talk to the children and lead assemblies.Each year there is a dramatic production involving all members of the Preparatory Department staged in the College theatre. Children gain enormous self-confidence through performing on stage with lights, costumes, make-up and the professional sound system. Music is a key tradition within the Preparatory Department and the majority of scholars play instruments, belong to the chapel choir, and perform in the many informal and formal concerts that are held.The Head of the Preparatory Department is a member of the College’s senior management team.PREP SCHOOL November chronicle
Prep School Xmas Chronicle
JANUARY CHRONICLE
February Newsletter
TERM DATES 2012-2013 |
