Why Choose Us

We believe that education extends beyond the core curriculum, inspiring a lifelong passion for learning and discovery. Our enriched curriculum is carefully designed to stimulate young minds, challenge their thinking and inspire creativity. We provide an immersive learning experience that goes beyond traditional teaching methods, incorporating hands-on activities, cross-curricular projects and real-world learning opportunities.

Our dedicated teachers ensure that learning is dynamic, interactive and tailored to each child’s interests and abilities. Through adaptive teaching techniques and ongoing assessments, we personalise education to ensure every child reaches their full potential.

We also encourage outdoor learning, using our extensive grounds to bring lessons to life through nature-based exploration and scientific discovery. Our goal is to ignite curiosity, nurture individual talents and provide the depth of knowledge that will serve as a strong foundation for future learning.

We take great pride in celebrating achievements, traditions and special moments that create lasting memories for our children. Our school calendar is filled with vibrant events that bring our community together. Celebration assemblies are a weekly occasion.

Transition celebrations, such as our Leaving Squirrels tradition, featuring our cherished Cyril mascot, provide a special way for children to reflect on their journey and embrace the next stage of their learning with confidence. We also honour the achievements of our young learners through awards such as the Most Progress in Swimming Trophy, which recognises dedication and improvement in swimming skills.

Birthdays are an important part of a child’s experience, and we ensure that each child’s special day is acknowledged and celebrated within their class. Additionally, our termly achievements and awards assemblies highlight the personal and academic growth of our pupils, reinforcing a culture of encouragement and recognition.

These celebrations not only bring joy to our children but also strengthen the bonds between pupils, parents and staff, creating a warm and inclusive school community.

At the heart of our early years provision is the Kitten Nursery, where our youngest learners embark on their educational journey in a warm and stimulating environment. Our dedicated teaching staff are experts in early childhood development, creating a space that encourages curiosity, creativity and confidence in every child. A highlight of our nursery experience is Bucket Time, a structured group activity designed to develop children’s attention, listening skills and social interaction. This engaging session encourages children to focus, take turns and participate actively, building essential pre-learning skills that form the foundation for future academic success. Through carefully planned activities such as storytelling, music and sensory play, our experienced teachers make learning both exciting and meaningful.

Our nursery also places a strong emphasis on emotional development, ensuring that children feel safe, secure and valued. With a low child-to-staff ratio, each child benefits from personalised attention, fostering strong relationships with their key workers. This nurturing approach supports the transition into Pre-Prep, ensuring that every child is confident and eager to embrace the next stage of their learning journey.

We believe that a child’s learning journey is most successful when parents and educators work together in close partnership. We are committed to building strong, supportive relationships with our families, ensuring open communication, collaboration and a shared commitment to each child's development and wellbeing.

Our open-door policy allows parents to connect with teachers daily, providing opportunities to discuss progress, share achievements and address any concerns. Regular parent consultations, including events like Snuggle and Share and showcase sessions, offer valuable insights into children’s learning experiences while strengthening the home-school connection.

We also host engaging parent events throughout the year, including curriculum evenings, social gatherings, coffee mornings and parenting workshops. These occasions create a welcoming environment where families can come together, share experiences and gain useful strategies to support their child's education at home.

Parents are actively encouraged to participate in school life and by working together, we create a nurturing and enriching environment where children feel supported both at home and at school, allowing them to thrive with confidence and enthusiasm.

Nestled within the Dean Close School campus, our Pre-Prep benefits from stunning grounds, modern facilities and access to specialist teaching areas. Our bright, spacious classrooms dedicated outdoor learning spaces and engaging play areas provide the perfect environment for young learners to thrive. Grounds and facilities include a large forest school, amphitheatre, sports hall, pavilion, tennis courts, astro turfs, swimming pool, chapel, theatre, climbing walls, rugby and athletic fields, art studio, science labs, DT workshop and covered outdoor play area where children can enjoy a rich, dynamic environment in which to learn, create and play.

Dean Close is famous for its warm, friendly and close-knit community.  Joining us means you become part of our extended family with lots of invitations to events and the opportunity to make lots of new friends.