Academic

After a superb start in the Pre-Prep the children move over the drive to become part of the Prep School. From September of this year, the school will be divided into three two-year bandings:  Lower School (Years 3 & 4), Middle School (Years 5 & 6), and Upper School (Years 7 & 8). 

Facilities include general classrooms, many with data projectors; an ICT suite; science lab; music school; an art studio and CDT workshop; gymnasium; library and a Learning Skills unit. 

All children are offered a balanced curriculum comprising English, Maths, Science, French, History, Geography, RS, Latin, Music, Drama, Art and CDT.  Our Life Skills (PHSE) takes place on a Saturday for Years 5-8 and during the week for the Lower School.  Visiting workshops, trips out and a lecture programme complement the classroom work and add breadth and variety to the educational experience offered. 

Children are carefully setted within a 42 strong year group according to ability. The higher up the school the more subjects are setted.

Children in Years 3 & 4 do not have a formal prep but their counterparts in Years 5-8 have two 25 minute preps daily (4:35pm-5:25pm) except on Wednesdays.

The School Day:

Our timetable is such that it runs for the whole year without variation.

The day begins with registration at 8:15 a.m. (there is another at lunch) followed by assembly.  Children can arrive from 7:50 a.m. onwards.  If registration is missed they must always report first to the office to 'check in'.

The morning is divided into six 35 minute periods.  After three periods there is a 25 minute break.  Lower School have lunch at 12:40 p.m. while the Seniors have a period of reading or outdoor rest.  Seniors and Lower School then swap over at 1:15 p.m.  This is also an hour when some children may have an 'early lunch' as it is protected time for musical ensembles and other groups.

There are two further lessons after lunch (not Wednesday) from 1:55-3:05 p.m. and then Games.  Tea is from 4:15 p.m. and Prep for Years 5-8 runs from 4.35-5.25 p.m.  There is then an hour for any extra-curricular activities before boarders' supper at 6:30 p.m.  (In the summer this includes CE revision sessions).

On Monday and Friday, in order to maximise use of facilities and staff expertise, Years 3 and 4 have games from 1.45-2.45 p.m., tea at 3:15 p.m. and seventh lessons at 3:30-4:05 p.m.

Any child is free to go home from 4:20 p.m. although if a child in Years 5-8 takes this option they will have to take Prep home with them.  We are happy to look after all day children until 6:30 p.m. (7:00 p.m. if staying for tennis coaching in the summer) with pick-ups at 4:20 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and sometimes later.  The 4:20 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. pick-ups tie in with the Pre-Prep after school club, Ladybirds.

There is no Prep on Wednesday afternoons (Games from 2:30 p.m.) and children are free from 4:15 p.m. (away matches permitting).  Children still at school have a study period from 5:00-5:30 p.m. during the darker months.  Thursday is given over to activities instead of games.
  

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