Curriculum

Pre-Prep

From our Flying Start Nursery, pupils move on to our pre-prep Reception class. They continue to follow the EYFS programmes of learning.

English and Mathematics are taught as separate subjects with the other areas of learning and development explored through topics. Pupils begin to learn to speak French and have three P.E. lessons/week which include gymnastics, dance, swimming and other activities geared toward their physical development.

At the end of the Reception year, our pupils move on to study the National Curriculum subjects. In Year 1 much of our pupils’ learning remains topic-based with English and Mathematics taught as separate subjects. Pupils also take part in P.E., Games, French, I.C.T. and Music lessons taught by specialist staff. Regular homework is introduced and pupils are encouraged to share their reading books with their parents and guardians. In Year 2, pupils have a weekly Drama lesson in the Rainbow Theatre.

We organise school visits and trips to the World Heritage city of Bath and the surrounding area. We encourage parents and guardians to keep in daily contact with staff via the home message book in pre-prep and through their child’s homework diary once they move into prep school.

Prep School

At Year 3 we encourage pupils to become organised, independent and get actively involved in their own learning. We build on the foundations firmly established in pre-prep, encouraging and supporting our pupils to reach their potential.
Pupils are taught in small classes, mainly by their form teachers. Lessons are now subject-based. The continuity of teaching and progression in learning is ensured by whole school Maths, Spelling and Handwriting programmes and carefully planned schemes of work in other subjects.

As pupils move through the prep school, they are encouraged to be more involved in school life. They learn to be organised, to support each other and to take responsibility for themselves. For example, Year 5 pupils look after our playground equipment and Year 6 help younger pupils back safely to their classrooms at the end of each break-time. We have high expectations of our pupils and we positively reinforce good behaviour. From the foundation of our ethos and values, our pupils develop the skills and confidence to move into the senior school of their choice.