THE NURSERY AND PRE-PREP DEPARTMENTS
We aim to achieve high standards in a purposeful yet calm and comfortable department.
The Pre-Prep Department is housed in the old stable block of the castle and its purpose built playground is in the safe environment of the courtyard. Children start in the Nursery at the age of three, and move on to the Reception Class, then years 1 and 2. Classes are small and there is a truly caring and friendly atmosphere with individual attention being given to each child, enabling them to grow in confidence and to have the best start possible to their academic life.
We aim to achieve high standards in a purposeful yet calm and comfortable department.
The majority of children are working beyond the Early Learning Goals by the end of the Reception Year. We follow the National Curriculum, although greater depth and breadth can be achieved as a result of the individual attention the children are able to receive.
As part of a Catholic School the Christian ethos is important, with children of all faiths expected to show tolerance and respect for one another. Assemblies are held daily and Harvest Festival and a Nativity play are important events in the calendar, as well as other Feast days celebrated by the Prep School. The transition from Key Stage1 to Key Stage 2 is a natural process as children become familiar with the surroundings, the staff and older pupils.
We are fortunate to have access to the facilities of the Prep School, as well as those at Ampleforth College, where all, except Nursery, have weekly swimming lessons. The children in years 1 and 2 also have regular Music, Gymnastics and Dance lessons with specialist teachers as well as regular French lessons.
For children with siblings in the Prep school, or those whose parents would like to them to travel on the school minibuses before and after school, we run an Early Birds club, which is free, from 8.10am and an After School Club, for which there is a daily charge, until 5.30pm.
The After School Club offers the opportunity for Pre-prep children to pursue other activities such as Tennis, Judo, cookery and drama.
