Pre-Prep

The roots of Mathematics grow and strengthen in the Pre-Prep, where there is an emphasis on securing the understanding of place value within numbers to 10, 20 and 100. Early mental and written methods are practised and learned for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, ready to be developed and refined further in Lower-Prep. Pupils explore fractions and establish initial concepts to be built upon and extended in Lower-Prep and beyond. Children learn through creative exploration and through manipulation of concrete materials and visual representations, alongside the abstract idea, to deepen understanding and establish strong foundations, within a mastery focused approach. Opportunities for making connections between mathematical ideas are fostered, patterns and relationships are explored and discussed, and children begin to solve problems in different contexts, applying their mathematical knowledge and skills and developing curiosity and resilience. 
 

There can be no underestimating the importance of English in the Pre-Prep years, teaching the core literacy skills that will remain with our children for life. We have a whole-school climate that fosters self-expression, feeds children’s imaginations, and instils in them confidence, a natural motive for writing and a lasting love of reading, through whole-school frameworks that are based on strong evidence based research. Lessons are dynamic, active, and varied, with an English curriculum brought to life through exciting and engaging literature and immersive experience days, using both our 22 acres of beautiful rural countryside for hands on learning opportunities and access to a wide range of resources both in school and from outside agencies. 

In Pre-Prep, Science is taught discretely with children learning practical scientific methods, processes and skills, and also as part of our classroom provision, where the children can independently explore and experiment. They learn to observe closely, using simple equipment, and they perform simple tests; learning how to identify and classify and use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions. The children gather and record their own data to help answer questions. 

Art, Craft and Design is an especially important part of our curriculum in Pre-Prep, and the children have time to explore their creativity as well as develop a range or artistic skills during their lessons each week. Projects are closely related to their topic work. During Art lessons, children discuss the work of artists as well as gain experience in a range of media. Children explore drawing with different tools and develop their understanding of colour and composition in painting. They also investigate working in clay, paint, pastels, chalk and inks, and develop skills such as textile work, observational drawing and printing. Wherever possible, children are encouraged to take the initiative and develop projects in their own individual way. They are also actively involved in evaluating their progress and to be challenged. This approach gives our children the opportunity to achieve high standards whilst having much creative fun.  
 
In Craft and Design, a progression of designing, making and evaluation skills are explored. The children take part in design tasks, joining materials such as card, wood, and fabric using different methods. They investigate simple mechanisms and solve design problems. Children are encouraged to evaluate their work and take part in peer assessment through discussion. They also take part in food preparation, following simple recipes and tasting activities linked to their topics. 

In Pre-Prep, we teach Discovery, our humanities programme, in a creative and cross curricular way, which actively engages the children. The children are encouraged to use a questioning approach and practical activities to deepen their understanding and skills. 
 
The children develop an awareness of the past, understanding where the people and events they are studying fit within a chronological time frame. In Year 1, children study the lives of significant individuals. They are encouraged to look at similarities and differences compared to their own experience and family history.  
 
A curiosity and fascination about the world around us is encouraged through creative curriculum themed lessons. The children deepen their understanding of the world, the UK and their locality. We look at the vocabulary related to human and physical features and begin to use geographical skills to study maps, atlases, and globes. The children study hot and cold areas of the world in relation to the North and South Poles and the Equator.  
 
The children can explore stories from different faiths. They learn about the books, artefacts, celebrations and buildings, which are important to people of a variety of faiths. The children are actively involved in lessons through group activities, dramas and discussion. They learn to appreciate and understand the beliefs of others and how to demonstrate respect for each other including children in their class who may hold a different view from them. 
 

In Computing we develop core skills, allowing children to work with multiple applications across devices. They learn about technology in the real world and how computers work. We have a strong focus on Online Safety, teaching at an age appropriate level. Children can explore coding as part of their Computing lessons. They develop their skills using a range of hands on programmable items and work online with both block and text based languages. Computing is embedded into the curriculum and used to enhance the children's learning in all subjects.

Performing Arts is an important part of life at KES Prep. It instils performance skills and confidence and provides many opportunities for creativity. We believe that singing is an important way in which to aid the development of pitch and rhythm, as well as the playing of various percussion instruments and listening to a wide variety of music. Every pupil takes part in the annual Nativity where their music, drama and dancing skills are on show.

We offer weekly lessons in French and provide a wide variety of songs and activities to enthuse and excite children. The children in Pre-Prep can learn simple words and phrases using songs, games and stories. We also enable children to understand and use some routine language, such as greetings, reacting to foods offered, expressing emotions, talk about their families and their pets. We also explore sounds in French, through looking at individual words and listening to short stories.