Pre-Preparatory

 

Firm foundations for learning

From ages 3 to 7 pupils are based in the Pre-Prep department which comprises of Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Many children learn alongside their younger siblings, fostering a sense of community and support.

The purpose-built Pre-Prep building provides a warm and stimulating learning environment. Classrooms are spacious and well equipped with a wide range of learning materials to challenge the children and develop their curiosity.

Throughout Pre-Prep, class sizes are small, and each has a well-qualified and experienced classroom teacher supported by an accomplished teaching assistant. Staff encourage early-stage problem-solving and creativity as the children go about their daily activities, building confidence, independence and a sound academic foundation for Preparatory School.

The Pre-Prep curriculum

A key aim for the Pre-Prep department is to provide a safe and warm environment, so that the children can learn to confidently challenge themselves and maximise their potential. At the heart of this is social and emotional development based on kindness and compassion.

We’re proud that our curriculum offers so many opportunities for wider learning, problem-solving, developing every child academically and socially. A well-rounded curriculum is further complemented by specialist teaching in:

• French
• Art
• Drama
• Music
• Physical Education

 

Reception

In Reception children continue to learn within the framework of the Early Years Foundation Stage programme. We place great importance on learning through play, communication and language, numeracy and the start of the reading and writing journey.

 

Years 1 and 2

As children progress to Years 1 and 2, they are introduced to the Key Stage 1 curriculum. We take great care to make the transition to each new year group as fluent as possible. The Pre-Prep classroom doors are always open and we plan many activities that cross over year groups, such as partner reading. As a result, the children become familiar with every teacher in the department. We encourage movement and learning through play and exploration, introducing more structured lessons and activities as children enter Year 1.

Year 2 children thrive as they reach the top of Pre-Prep and become role models to their younger friends. Children have opportunities to demonstrate their growing independence and learning through research and presentations. As phonics and PSHE schemes continue from Nursery, we introduce a curriculum more similar to the Preparatory School, with subjects such as RE, Humanities and Science.

 

Practical Pre-Prep information

The school day for Pre-Prep starts at 8.30am and finishes at 3.30pm.

To make it easier for parents to balance life and work, we offer a wide range of after-school activities  for children alongside daily early-bird (8-8.30am) and after-school care (3.30-5pm).

Parents of EYFS children can keep track of their child’s development, work and activities via the Tapestry online portal. We are excited to be in the process of keeping this portal open for children in KS1 as well.

For further information on our Pre-Prep provision, please contact I.langly-smith@wellesleyprep.co.uk

 

“Children, parents and staff are all proud to be part of the Wellesley family. It’s our privilege to watch each child’s journey as they progress from Nursery through to Year 8.”

Becky Gibson-James, Year 2 Tutor and Head of Pre-Prep.