The Pre-Prep
Welcome to the Pre-Prep. We call this part of the School ‘The Orchard’.
Here we offer a curriculum that is fun, broad based and balanced, challenging all abilities. We have well qualified teachers, with specialists for Music, Physical Education and Learning Support.
Educational visits and theme weeks form a part of our curriculum enrichment programme, and visiting speakers attend the school on a regular basis.
Foundation Stage
Reception aged 4- 5 years; Staff:Pupil ratio of 1:8
Curriculum
The Reception Year is still part of the Foundation Stage and continues to provide six areas of learning
- Personal and Social Education
- Language and Literacy
- Mathematics
- Knowledge and Understanding of the World
- Physical Development
- Creative Development
It is important to remember that four year olds in full time education still have many Nursery needs and these are well catered for. At Handcross Park, the Reception Classes have a full time teacher’s assistant as well as the class teacher.
The children work in small groups, individually and as a whole class, and the more formal skills required for literacy and numeracy will be introduced at this stage. The Outside Classroom is an important part of their learning environment.
Key Stage One
In the Pre-Prep (Orchard) there are two parallel classes with a maximum of 17 in each. Both classes have a well qualified teacher and the part-time support of a teaching assistant.
Facilities Include
- Purpose-built accommodation within what used to be a Victorian walled garden
- Large, safe and well resourced play areas
- Extensive school grounds
- Heated indoor swimming pool
- Large sports hall
- Fully equipped modern ICT suite
- A dining room, where wholesome meals, including a vegetarian option, are cooked on site
The School Day
- 8.45 am
- Registration
- 12.00 pm
- Lunch
- 3.20 pm
- End of day
Curriculum
At this stage the children begin what is known nationally as Key Stage 1 and the subjects below are taken from the National Curriculum
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- History
- Geography
- Religious Education
- Music
- Technology
- Art and Design Technology
- Information and Communication Technology
- Physical Education
- Personal, Social and Health Education
Good literacy and numeracy teaching is essential and underpins all work in the Secret Garden. Our aim is that each child should reach their full potential.
The children experience whole class teaching as well as working groups and individual tuition.
Children are taught to care and communicate with others in the school. Praise and positive reinforcement are our first approaches. We believe that every child is an individual and has talents which should be discovered and encouraged.
We have very high academic standards but also strive to make the learning process as much fun as possible.
Setting children up for a good school day, our Breakfast Club at 8.00am is a fun way to begin. We also have a thriving After School Club from 3.30 – 6.00pm every day. After school activities are many and various including Soccer, Tennis and Multi-Sports; Gardening; French; Dance and Music, with violin, piano and recorder amongst the instruments on offer.