Skip To Main Content

Pre-Prep Curriculum

Pre-Prep Curriculum

Thematic Learning-History and Geography

The curriculum at the Pre-Prep has been devised to be exciting, meaningful and to ensure high standards and excellent progress. Each your group plans half termly topics which are thematic and integrated so that where possible the learning across subjects is linked. Wow moments to engage and motivate are weaved through the teaching and learning.

English is taught through high quality texts which links back to the topic being taught. This incorporates Speaking and Listening, Reading, and Writing. Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry are all part of our exciting English curriculum.

Phonics is taught daily through a programme called Read, Write, Inc. and is taught in a systematic and structured way. Children across the whole school are assessed half termly and placed in the group they require to access the next step in their phonics learning. This can result in mixed age groups.

Mathematics is taught through the research informed White Rose scheme and the ‘Mastery’ approach. Developing a ‘Deep Understanding of Number’ is a huge focus, whilst a ‘Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract’ approach is taught throughout the Pre-Prep.

Science

Science is taught through exploration and discovery. Our mini scientists are encouraged to be curious and ask questions about the world around them. They will learn through first-hand experiences and experimentation. The staff will nurture the children’s development of ‘Scientific Enquiry’ to answer questions, make observations and to talk about what they find out. Science is also about acquiring new knowledge and the children will be taught about:

  • Plants
  • Animals including Humans
  • Living Things and their Habitats
  • Materials and their Uses
  • Seasonal Change.

Computing

We have class sets of iPads and Chrome Books to enable us to provide a high-quality computing education which encourages creativity, thinking and problem solving. The discreet teaching of computing includes:

  • Algorithms (sets of simple instructions)
  • Coding
  • Creating, organising, storing, and retrieving digital content
  • The importance of using technology safely and respectfully
  • Sequencing actions to move/control programmable robots

Technology is used to embed and enhance learning across the curriculum through a range of educational Apps which have been selected to enable a consolidation of skills and knowledge taught. It also allows the children to access learning or present their learning in a range of ways, such as research, podcast, QR codes and Greenscreen.

Art, Design and Technology

The Art, Design and Technology curriculums are developed around the half-termly topics and will enable the children to explore a vast range of materials and processes. They will develop a wide range of art and design techniques in colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form, and space and will also design, make and evaluate products. A diverse group of artists, craft makers and designers will be studied, and the children will recreate their work or work in their styles.

Specialist Teaching

Music

Every child in Year 1 learns the violin within a class setting taken by a professional violinist and our Director of Music. Through this, they develop their fine motor skills and co-ordination, as well as continued development of the inner ear. The children learn songs and have the opportunity to explore a range of untuned percussion instruments discovering sounds and timbre. They learn how to read basic rhythmic patterns and connect these with their violin and percussion instruments.

In Year 2 the children increase their knowledge and understanding of rhythmic patterns and sentences. A new set of rhythms is introduced and implemented within our activities. There is further exploration of untuned instruments through musical games. The children use their skills to work in small groups to create their own compositions. A more varied repertoire of songs is learnt, focusing on quality of sound and intonation.

Physical Education (PE)

Years 1 and 2 get a school based PE lesson, a swimming lesson and an off site Games session every week.

The PE is taught through a rolling curriculum of gymnastics, ball skills and striking. This balance of specialised teaching adds to and enhances the children's gross motor movements which directly leads to specific skills for our sports at the Games Field.

We use Rosendale Fields for our weekly Games afternoon , which is a short walk from the Pre-Prep and this is where we focus on particular sports termly. This includes Hockey, Tag Rugby, Football, Tennis, Cricket, Athletics, Netball and Basketball.

Year 2 get the opportunity to play with and  against other schools on a termly basis in some sports, such as, cricket and football. This is carried out in a semi-competitive way but in a non-pressured environment. The focus is on fun, working as a team and ultimately a celebration of what the children have learnt throughout the term.

Spanish

Foreign language education aims to foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. It boosts problem-solving, critical-thinking, and listening skills, in addition to improving memory, concentration, and the ability to multitask.

Spanish lessons, through songs, games, stories and play roles,  provide children with an insight into the culture, traditions and special celebrations of Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries.