Academic
In the belief that happy and confident children learn best, the Pre-Prep and Preparatory School develops children’s enthusiasm for learning.
Our friendly, caring environment will help to build your child’s confidence in his or her own ability so that they can realise their full potential. Being a relatively small school allows us rapidly to understand a child’s strengths and also focus on any areas needing extra development. By the time the children reach Year 6, we are happy to support 11+ to local grammar schools or to ensure a happy transition to our own excellent Senior School.
Pre-Prep (Key Stage 1)
In Pre-Prep the children are taught primarily by their Form Teachers and they build a close relationship with them. They have Specialist Teachers for subjects such as PE, Music, French and RE.
At Beechwood, we have time to expand on the National Curriculum, and provide extra subjects such as Swimming, Cookery and French. We endeavour to stretch and challenge each child so that they can achieve their potential at this key formative level.
We also enrich the curriculum in many ways: visiting speakers and theatre groups; outdoor learning in the school grounds and Forest School; National Children’s Book Week and Poetry Day; we celebrate World Book Day and have visiting authors. We also have regular trips out such as the visit to Godstone Farm in order to bring to life the topics we had learnt about in Science.
Prep (Key Stage 2)
Prep builds on the foundations of Pre-Prep. Subjects and learning behaviours become embedded and developed at this next level.
All subjects are timetabled separately and are taught by either the Form Teacher or by subject specialists from within the Preparatory School and from the Senior School. We prepare and provide a smooth transition from Year 2 to Year 3 and then from Primary to Secondary education.
Year 3 pupils are still Form based pastorally for most of their lessons so that the transition process is not a dramatic change from Year 2. At each step, the children are gradually prepared for the increasing expectations in homework and classwork and they are ready to move independently between lessons and classes in Years 5 and 6.
For pupils aiming to take 11+ Grammar School entrance tests, the Year 5 curriculum prepares them well. In addition, this is supported by special activities such as Brain-Training, Presentation-Skills and Thinking Club. The Prep School has an excellent track record of success at 11+ and that is one of the options for pupils preparing for their secondary transfer at age 11.
An enrichment programme of outings, theme days, visiting experts and an outdoor education programme enhance the learning experience of our pupils by bringing variety and depth to the curriculum.
