Year 3-4 Junior Prep
At the age of seven children join the Preparatory School. For the first 2 years most teaching is based around their classroom. In Year 3 most subjects are taught by the form teacher, with a gradual increase in specialist teaching from Year 4 onwards. There are two classes of mixed ability in each year group. Within the class pupils are set for spelling and maths. From Year 4 onwards children attend Saturday morning school.
Year 5-6 Middle Prep
As children move into Year 5 and 6 they are learning to be more responsible, disciplined and self-motivated. In Year 5 pupils are still taught by their form teacher for most subjects but do have a wider input from a greater range of teachers. Subjects are taught more by specialist teachers and the children move around the school to take lessons in rooms dedicated to particular subjects. At Year 6 children start to learn Latin and are set for English, Maths and French. Each class has a form tutor who sees the children three times a week to assess each child's individual achievement. From Year 6 onwards children stay for a supervised prep period after school four days a week, when staff are on hand to give extra help if needed.
Year 7-8 Senior Prep
Pupils in Year 7 and 8 are members of Senior Prep and taught in classes according to ability. They are also set for Maths and French. Each pupil has a form tutor who checks that they are keeping on top of their studies and encourages and supports them in their learning. Children in these years attend a formal prep time as part of their school day. At the end of Year 8 children take their Common Entrance exam to go onto their Senior School of choice. Most pupils go on to Dean Close School. In Year 8, the scholars are taught as a separate group for some subjects and with the top set for others. A number of pupils are invited to follow the Common Academic Syllabus during Year 8.