Ampleforth St Martin's

23 February 2012

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.

 

Pre-prep children