The Nursery & 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. In the
second half of the summer term Year 2 progress to the longer day of the Prep
school by staying in school until 5.35pm.
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. All children also have
regular Music, P.E. and Dance lessons with specialist teachers. In addition,
Years 1 and 2 have regular French lessons.
The school day runs from
8.20am to 3.30pm for the Pre-prep. We run after school activities, for which
there is a daily charge, until 5.35pm, particularly for those with siblings in
the prep school. The after school activities sessions offer the opportunity for
Pre-prep children to pursue other activities such as art, judo and
cookery.