Pre-Prep Curriculum Subjects

The Pre-Prep is a hive of creativity, the boys’ work is celebrated and is on display throughout the school for all to enjoy. We provide the boys with a wide range of activities using a variety of media to encourage their creative talents to flourish, develop their self-confidence and to further improve their fine motor skills. Self-expression is encouraged alongside teaching an appreciation for a range of artists and their work.

Drama is taught by a specialist teacher and builds confidence, encourages collaboration and enables the boys to express themselves. Opportunities to perform in front of an audience are plentiful, including assemblies, themed days, a Christmas production and a Year 1 Mother’s Day concert. Our summer production showcases both the boys drama and musical talents as well as highlighting just how much the boys have grown in confidence throughout the year.

In the Pre-Prep, we promote high standards of literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and aim to develop a love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment and information. Writing is taught through a range of methods with an emphasis on correct pencil grip and letter formation. The boys are encouraged to apply their phonic knowledge in the early stages of writing so that their ability to transfer thoughts on to paper is not hindered by what they can spell, allowing creativity of thought to flourish.

In Geography, the boys explore aspects of human and physical geography, they learn about the local area and compare it to other regions in the United Kingdom and in the rest of the world. They learn how to interpret maps and develop the skills of research, investigation, analysis and problem solving. Learning about the physical world and enables them to recognise the importance of using the earth’s resources sustainably. A field trip to Brighton in Year 2 is a real highlight which enables the boys to compare and contrast a coastal location with their local area and to identify physical and human features first hand in a fun and meaningful way.

In the Pre-Prep, our curriculum is brought to life and historical skills are explored through immersion days and the use of drama and roleplay, for example, as experiencing life as an Ancient Egyptian by dressing up as pharaohs, making artefacts and taking on a variety of roles to represent the society at the time.

Year 1 ICT is taught by the Head of Pre-Prep and Year 2 by the Deputy Head (Pastoral) of Prep. The ICT curriculum is delivered using iPads, laptops and programmable toys to support learning, and right from the start the boys are taught how to behave safely and participate responsibly in our digital world. The boys learn how to master their research skills, how to use interactive software and they take their first steps into understanding coding. Our boys enjoy regular access to technology tools for their learning. Beyond computing lessons, they use the latest mobile technology in a broad range of subjects across the curriculum.

In the Pre-Prep, our aim is for the boys to develop a confident, positive and enthusiastic attitude towards calculating, reasoning and problem solving. The boys are introduced to mathematical concepts though a concrete, pictoral and abstract approach with our focus on teaching for mastery. We place a strong emphasis on acquiring mathematical vocabulary and the development of effective mental strategies.

Creativity is at the heart of our programme, with boys learning and implementing skills in music reading and writing, instrumental performance skills (percussion including glockenspiels and recorders), singing, listening and response, exploration and composing. Performance opportunities include the Christmas and Summer shows, Mother’s Day Concert and weekly assemblies.

PE, Games and swimming lessons are taught by specialist teachers and play an important part of life in the Pre-Prep. We want our boys to enjoy sport and to understand the benefits of physical activity and the importance of determination, perseverance, and resilience. We encourage the boys to strive for excellence while impressing on them the importance of team spirit and sportsmanship.

In addition to our Pre-Prep grounds, we are fortunate enough to have access to the extensive grounds on offer at the Habs senior school site on Butterfly Lane. Year 1 and 2 also take full advantage of the Medburn Sports Centre and swimming pool each week for Games and swimming lessons. Our Games programme is based on learning the core skills of hand eye coordination, teamwork and ball skills and consists of rugby in the autumn term, football in the spring term and cricket in the summer term. All boys take part in the Donkin Cup Cross Country Race and Sports Day, which are both held at the Prep School.

Science in the Pre-Prep sparks much excitement and curiosity as the boys participate in practical investigations and develop their understanding of scientific concepts. Through investigative and exploratory work, the boys acquire a bank of scientific vocabulary and learn how to predict, observe, record and interpret results. 

Through exploring some of the festivals, stories and worship practices found in the six major faiths, we develop the boys’ understanding and empathy towards others. We encourage the boys to ask questions about the beliefs, the lives of others and about the world we live as well as asking them to share their own experiences and beliefs with the class.