Pre-Prep

A great place to start

When you arrive at the Pre-Prep, you will instantly sense the warm and welcoming atmosphere and you will know that you are in a special place. A place of cooperation, collaboration and achievement – be it in the bright and stimulating classrooms, outdoors in our extensive grounds or taking part in Forest School in our woodlands. This is underpinned by our high staff pupil ratio which ensures that every child feels nurtured and valued and is able to make the most of their school day. Empathy and kindness is embedded in our ethos where we instil a sense of community and belonging. The children are expected to be considerate of others, respect their feelings and to be a good friend.

The Pre-Prep educates the youngest members of the Junior King’s school family. Our part in their development and learning is fundamental and we aim to bring out the very best in each child before handing them on to the Prep School when they are seven years old.

Pre-Prep Pastoral Care

The children in the Pre-Prep are cared for by every member of the Pre-Prep team. Each child is known to all members of staff, with children feeling confident to speak to any of the adults. We feel that it is important to value each other and we teach the children to be respectful to those around them.

We provide a warm and friendly place where children and parents feel happy and safe. We are supported by our colleagues in the Prep school, which is very much seen as an extension of this early and special memory in the lives of the young families that belong here.

We pay particular attention to safeguarding everyone in our community and we teach children how to keep themselves safe at school and at home.

Reception

In the Reception year we build on the excellent experiences that children are introduced to during their time in the Nursery. The next step is to build on their previous experiences and extend learning in a more structured environment.

It is now time to introduce the skills required to turn play-based learning into the acquisition of essential reading, writing and mathematical skills. This is the year where most children will enter in September, broadly as non-readers and writers and emerge with a lifelong enthusiasm for learning.

Teaching at this level is delivered through a wide range of cross-curricular topics, planned to stimulate and excite young developing minds.

At the very core of learning is a ‘can do’ approach where children are encouraged to think creatively and independently. Every child will receive encouragement as they take these next steps in learning and individual support will be given appropriate to their needs. By adopting this successful and proven approach we can confidently assure parents that their child will achieve their potential in a happy and secure environment.

Year 1

Year One follows on closely from Reception to enable a comfortable and seamless progression of learning.

Year One classes have a maximum of 18 pupils, although more usually there will be fewer children than this. The class is supported by a class teacher and a shared assistant.

Children learn through a topic-based approach which encompasses a number of different subjects. Literacy, numeracy and phonics are taught daily to ensure a continuity of progress. These lessons are differentiated to ensure all children can be suitably supported and challenged according to their individual learning style and needs. Spelling patterns, handwriting and grammar are introduced and taught within separate sessions but also reinforced in the context of the English lessons. We encourage children to begin to apply their understanding independently and to take ownership of their learning. We actively teach in a style that fosters reflective skills, empowering these young children to shape their future learning.

We understand that at this age, children differ greatly as to their readiness to build upon the foundations laid during their Reception year. Children in Year One are encouraged to become more independent in all areas, such as lunchtimes where they have opportunities to decide who to sit with to develop their friendships across the year group.

Year 2

Year Two is the final year in the Pre-Prep. The children are consolidating and extending their knowledge and independence to prepare them for the next stage of their learning in Junior House.

Continuing from Year One to Year Two is an exciting development as children have reached the final year with us in the Pre-Prep. The classrooms are bright and cheerful with new interactive TVs and access to a set of iPads. Classes are supported by an assistant.

In Year Two, personal and social skills are developed in a friendly, positive and caring atmosphere, strengthening confidence and encouraging a growth mindset. These skills are particularly honed during our Christmas and Summer shows, where the children take the leading roles. We have many Pre-Prep events which we celebrate throughout the year through music, dance, drama and French. Children also have the opportunity for increased responsibility by joining the School Council and Catering Committees.

The Pre-Prep has developed firm links with a local care home, where all children visit throughout the course of the year. This helps the children to strengthen their understanding and respect of older citizens within the community.

The cross-curricular topic approach continues with a half termly over-arching theme. Threaded through this, the children build on their grammar and spelling patterns as well as their numeracy skills.

The children actively learn in a variety of ways: whole class, group work, paired and individual, as well as problem solving, practicals and the more formal approach of recording. Specialist staff continue to teach P.E., Dance, French and Music in order to develop the creative arts. Towards the end of the year, the children visit their Year Three classrooms so as to ensure a smooth and confident transition.

Chaplaincy

A Christian heritage with a modern dimension

The ancient Christian roots of the King’s School are clear to see, having originally been founded by St Augustine in 597 AD. However, our intention at Junior King’s is not just to hold on to history, but rather to aspire to the ethos and standards of Christianity, both formally and informally, in daily school life. In helping to achieve this, the Chaplain works with all four communities that live and work side by side: children, teaching staff, support staff and parents.

There to pick up on problems, encourage, guide, and support, the Chaplain can help pupils to talk about any issues they face and offer the time and privacy to work things through.

There are daily acts of worship at Junior King’s, varying from whole school services at St Nicholas’ Church to house and year group assemblies in the dining room or barn. There are also opportunities for the whole school community to go to the Cathedral each term for occasions such as Confirmation and Carols. On a more informal level, every Wednesday a group of parents, staff and the Chaplain meet for a short act of worship and reflection.

Medical Centre

The medical team of Registered Nurses embraces a Philosophy of Care that aims to safeguard and promote the interests and well-being of every child within our care, and the School community as a whole. We work in an open and co-operative manner with the children, school staff and parents to foster their independence and recognise and respect their involvement in the planning and delivery of care.

The medical centre staff recognises and respects the uniqueness and dignity of each patient, and respond to their need for care irrespective of their ethnic origin, religious beliefs, personal attributes, and the nature of their health problems or any other individual factor.