Pre-Prep
Newland House Pre Prep, affectionately known as Number 11, because of its address on Waldegrave Park, is home to the one hundred and twenty youngest members of our school community. It possesses many wonderful qualities and is an integral part of the school – two thirds of the pupils in the prep department began their schooling with us here.
Our aim is to provide a friendly, happy and secure environment where children can develop their own varied abilities and interests. We accept children on a first come first served basis, so parents wishing to register their children are advised to do so as soon as possible. As there is no formal assessment there is obviously a large range of ability across the age group. Not all children can be academic and it is one of the exciting challenges of our job as teachers to find out what they do well, whatever it might be, and help them to build on that, so that their self-confidence grows both in this and other areas.
We have a well qualified and enthusiastic staff of seven class teachers, a specialist music teacher, a special needs teacher and seven classroom assistants, all of whom are in regular contact with parents or carers. Everyone in the school is encouraged to show mutual respect for each others’ beliefs and individuality through courteous and considerate behaviour. This helps to create a very special family atmosphere, which is one of the real hall marks of the pre prep department.
There are two classes in each of the three year groups, each one containing around twenty pupils. The school doors open from 8.25am in the morning and the day ends at 3.30pm. Within that time the pupils study a broad based curriculum, which embraces the early Learning Goals and all that is good in the Key Stage One programme of study. In addition there is specialist music teaching throughout the school and Years One and Two are also taught PE and ICT by specialist teachers from the prep school. Pupils work at their own pace and each step is built on their previous learning experiences, thus ensuring that crucial firm foundation for the future.