Pre-Prep

The Pre-Prep at Northbourne Park School covers Reception through to Year 2, based in the Old Rectory, a short walk from the Prep School. Children may join in Squirrels Nursery, and leave three years later ready for Year 3, having played outdoors every day, studied French with a native speaker since they were two, and taken on responsibility as the oldest children in the building.

From Nursery into Reception

Squirrels Nursery sits within the same Pre-Prep building as Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, so children already know the classrooms, the staff and the older pupils before they move up. During the summer term, Nursery children spend time in the Reception classroom, meeting their new teacher and becoming familiar with the space, before starting in September as part of Rabbits Class.

The environment

The Pre-Prep is based in the Old Rectory, a short walk from the main Prep School site, and both sit within the school's 100 acres of grounds and woodland. There are no tarmac playgrounds. Children learn and play across a garden, an orchard, woods and a dedicated Forest School area, alongside their own IT Room, Library, Music Room and Hall. Pre-Prep pupils also use the Prep School's Sports Hall, Astro Pitch and outdoor education areas.

Within Pre-Prep there are three classes: Reception is Rabbits Class, Year 1 is Hedgehog Class, and Year 2 is Badger Class. Each class has a class teacher, with teaching assistant support throughout.

Rabbits

Reception

Hedgehog

Year 1

Badger

Year 2

Class sizes across Pre-Prep and Prep are the same: generally no more than 20 children, usually around 15.

Breadth from the start

Reading and writing follow two schemes: Read Write Inc for phonics, and Ready Steady Write for writing. Maths follows White Rose Maths, with an emphasis on reasoning and practical understanding rather than rote method.

French begins from Nursery, taught by a native-speaking teacher throughout. PE, Music and Forest School are all specialist-taught from Reception. Children swim for two terms every year, from Reception onward. From Year 1, children can also take up 1:1 Music lessons.

Science, History and Geography are taught through topics such as Habitats, Materials and Growing Food, with trips to places including Dover Museum, the local beach and nature reserves, making use of the school's own setting rather than teaching it from a classroom alone.

Clubs begin in Reception and run through Year 2, covering sport, art, music and gardening, alongside other themed clubs through the year.

Staff meet regularly to discuss how each child is progressing. Children needing extra support or extra challenge are identified early through regular assessment and the school's Learning Support teachers.

Known well

Class teachers stay with their class through the year, supported by teaching assistants and specialist subject teachers. Several members of staff have had their own children go through the school. Every member of staff at Pre-Prep knows every child by name, not only the ones in their own class.

Children are placed into one of four Houses: Drake, Marlborough, Nelson and Wellington from their first day. House points are earned through behaviour, academic work and school-wide events, and the winning house is announced every week. As the oldest pupils in Pre-Prep, Year 2 children take on a mentoring role with the younger children in Reception and Nursery.

Drake

Marlborough

Nelson

Wellington

Pre-Prep keeps its own calendar of traditions through the year, including a Scarecrow competition, the Summer Concert, Nativities, a Harvest celebration, Mother's Day services and regular parent coffee mornings.

Part of the wider school

Pupils use the Prep School's Sports Hall, Astro Pitch and outdoor education areas, and subject specialists in French, PE, Music and Forest School teach across both sites. Mr Hammond, the Head Teacher, takes assembly at Pre-Prep every week, and Pre-Prep pupils attend Prep School events, including watching Prep productions.

Whole-school celebrations bring Pre-Prep and Prep together each year. At Mardi Gras, Pre-Prep children travel up to the Prep School to take part in a parade and eat crêpes. The whole school also marks Easter together at the Easter Celebration.

Ready for Year 3

Preparation for the move into Prep begins well before September.

1	Autumn Term Year 2 children spend one afternoon a week at the Prep School, using the Science lab and ICT suite.
2	Through the year Time at the Prep School builds gradually, in step with each child's growing familiarity with the site.
3	Summer Term Visits extend to include lunch and other lessons alongside Prep pupils.
4	A buddy for September Each Year 2 child is paired with an older Prep pupil, who supports them through their first weeks in Year 3.

Book a visit

Come and see Pre-Prep during the school day.

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Make an enquiry

Download the prospectus for full details of life at Northbourne Park, or get in touch directly.

+44 (0)1304 611215
admissions@northbournepark.com

Download the prospectus