The teaching team in pre-Prep and Prep is highly qualified and experienced and the unique qualities of each child are recognised and nurtured. Our aim is to ensure our children become confident, active and independent learners, equipped with a firm foundation of skills.
Once children turn 4 years old, they move seamlessly into our Reception Class. A busy day includes reading and writing, number work and time to be inquisitive about our world. Children learn to ask questions, to speak Mandarin and Spanish, play games and sing, explore the world around us and create their own masterpieces with a variety of art materials. Our classrooms are packed with interesting things to do and to ignite interest and conversation; children can dress up and play, explore an App on an iPad or curl up with a storybook.
The Key Stage 1 curriculum, followed in Years 1 and 2, allows the children to continue to develop and apply the skills and knowledge learned in the Foundation Stage, within a curriculum that is more formalised and continues to feed their curiosity. It has reading, writing, numbers and creativity at its heart. As well as an exciting programme of trips out and about on the Isle of Wight, a day may include a lesson of Mandarin or Spanish, using an iPad to learn collaboratively with friends, an opportunity to play a cello or violin, the chance to run around a running track, swing a cricket bat or create a “Log Book” in the forest.
We want our children to have the depth of knowledge, relevant skills and character strengths to lead a purposeful and virtuous life in their modern world. Our enhanced curriculum has been designed with research-informed pedagogic tools at its core: Enquiry-led learning, Habits of Mind and Digital Wisdom. These pedagogic tools are applied across the curriculum to ensure that academic achievement is underpinned by a commitment to values and emotional well-being. The introduction of an overarching ‘Big Idea’ each term provides the focus and inspiration for children’s learning, enabling different themes to be explored in imaginative and creative ways, allowing children to deepen their understanding in ways that best suit them. The organisation of knowledge into five spheres of learning provides coherence between academic subjects that ensures rigour and the development of interdisciplinary habits of mind. Throughout the year, ‘curriculum spotlights’ will focus on subjects to provide even greater academic rigour and depth of knowledge.
The Big Ideas
The Five Spheres
The HIVE
The HIVE is our new STEM/ LEGO space which will be available for all day access for classroom, discovery and reflection activities. Sixth Form pupils will be on site at certain times to help mentor and coach our Prep pupils.
Chromebook 1:1
Our 1:1 ChromeBook Scheme, a parent funded programme, is integral to the enhanced curriculum, providing students with the tools to elevate learning and ensure progress, as well as developing digital knowledge, skills and character. Students’ learning will be visible to parents via digital portfolios and class blogs, with progress monitored through online platforms, helping to differentiate learning, making it accessible to all. The ChromeBooks will be used for research, reflection and project development and ‘Fascination Folders’ will provide appropriate academic challenges for pupils. The ChromeBooks will be used with a specific learning platform chosen to support spelling, grammar, reading and maths online
Learning Support
The Learning Support Department provides additional support to pupils across the age ranges from Nursery to the Sixth Form. Support is provided in the form of individual or small group tuition for children whose academic progress is hindered by specific learning difficulties such as: dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia or other learning need
The aim of Learning Support is for pupils to leave capable of operating independently at school or in the workplace. Pupils are assessed and supported by a team of specialist teachers who identify targets for pupils to work towards. Children are taught using structured, cumulative, multi-sensory methods. Our aim is that pupils with specific learning difficulties will fulfil their full potential.
Tuition is sometimes included as part of the curriculum and sometimes as additional charged lessons depending on the level of need. For updates and changes, please take a look at the Fees Page
Academic support
Our principled curriculum design allows for flexibility and vertical integration, enabling students to access learning that is appropriate for their individual needs and stage of development. Learning support assistants will be planned into daily lessons with specialist SEN support from our Learning Support Department. Our ‘stretch and challenge’ program utilises a high learning potential framework that augments the academic merits of the curriculum and allows staff to recognise children’s individual extra needs as well as deliver learning experiences that offer the necessary stretch and support. Senior school pupils will act as academic mentors in all spheres of learning but notably in STEM and languages with Sixth Form language ambassadors.
