Upper Prep

Our English curriculum is taught through a clear and systemic approach which is brought to life through exciting and engaging literature and immersive experience days. All English teaching staff are experts, through training, in the ability to provide precise instruction in writing, including grammar and spelling, whilst keeping lessons engaging and creative. During their lessons, children are prepared for the 11+ Common Entrance and other senior school entrance examinations through a challenging but thorough curriculum.

In Upper Prep our curriculum continues to foster self-expression, to feed children’s imaginations and instil 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 and through studied texts.

Through our Public Speaking programme at KES Prep all our children are gently stretched outside of their comfort zones in a safe and supportive environment which is scaffolded appropriately so that by the time they reach Upper Prep our children are able to carefully prepare a persuasive speech or take on a debate which is presented within their year groups, with the potential to reach our Public Speaking final which is presented in front of a larger more formal audience. At KES Prep we teach the children the power of informative and persuasive speaking to help raise bold, and expressive young leaders, entrepreneurs, and human beings who can speak out about their interests and views with confidence. 

Science at KES Prep is about developing enquiring minds and fostering a deep understanding of the importance of scientific disciplines. Throughout the year, KES Prep scientists will enrich their learning through trips, visiting speakers and themed days aimed at broadening their scientific view and to inspire a love of the sciences. Our rich, practical curriculum utilises our fully equipped laboratory and the diverse outdoor environment stimulates and inspires. 

Mathematics in our Upper Prep builds upon the strong foundations secured in the Lower Prep, where our pupils become increasingly independent and efficient in their calculations across all four operations, and with fractions, able to apply these methods readily to new and more complex problems, in a wide range of contexts. Pupils explore and develop a solid understanding and appreciation of algebraic representations and techniques, and learn the value and power of algebra and how it can be used to solve endless mathematical problems. They learn about the order of operations, the rules of directed number, and consolidate their understanding of fractions, decimals and percentages and the relationships between these. Pupils continue to discover and secure new and more advanced concepts and skills within all aspects of mathematics, continually building upon previous knowledge and being extended further, through a curriculum that encourages deeper leaning and understanding and 'mastery' of Mathematics. Discussion, enquiry, reasoning and problem solving are fostered and developed, encouraging all pupils to become independent and capable solvers, instilling curiosity, creativity and resilience. Our subject specialists help to fully prepare our pupils for senior school entrance examinations, through thorough and focused 11+ Common Entrance study and practice, providing academic rigour and challenge for our pupils, to think, perform and grow to a higher level of achievement. Pupils have access to a range of quality materials and resources, including virtual learning environments for independent study and revision. Enrichment is provided through a range of opportunities to take part in Mathematical competitions and challenges, stretching our young minds even further. 

From Year 3, Discovery lessons combine the teaching of History, Geography and Religious Studies and support the children in developing a broad knowledge and understanding of the world around them. By teaching these subjects in a creative and cross-curricular way we encourage children’s higher order thinking skills and develop their understanding of how these subjects relate to each other.  

Our Discovery lessons allow our teachers to be even more creative, develop links between the existing curriculum topics and add new topics to further inspire our children.  

Music is part of everyone's life and so we aim to give pupils a love of music that they will carry with them beyond their schooling. With that in mind, all are encouraged to participate and gain confidence in musical activities. Weekly class lessons feature composition, singing, playing percussion and keyboards, listening to a vast variety of music and creating music as individuals and in ensembles. The Upper Prep curriculum allows for more intense studies of music and musicians including pop singers, classical composers, the formation of chords and melodies and the development of keyboard skills. There is also the opportunity for pupils to learn instruments or singing with visiting music staff, on a one-to-one basis. The Senior Choir and orchestra provide further practical opportunities, working towards various concerts throughout the year, In the summer term, all pupils in the Upper Prep stage a musical show in the Dobson Theatre at King Edward's, which showcases their acting, singing and dancing. 

Alongside our continued focus on specialist taught French and Spanish, we also introduce our children from Year 3 to Year 6 to WOLLOW – World of Languages, Languages of the World! The WOLLOW curriculum encourages children to be curious about languages including their history, culture, and diversity; to understand the links and patterns between languages; and, to better understand how language works, which will in turn support their English language development.  

Every other year we also hold a whole school event to raise the profile of MFL, highlighting the importance of language learning in the diverse world that we live in today. Our curriculum supports lessons in both French and Spanish on a weekly basis. Our department is fully committed to providing extra opportunities for language learning and enhancing the status of languages within the school, with the Year 6 children travelling to France for their residential. 

Children can engage in a wealth of materials and experiences across the Art, Craft and Design Workshop. We begin by developing foundation drawing principles that will aid children in all avenues of design and then digress into a variety of projects. In Art, children will experience skills and materials such as drawing techniques, photography, 3D sculpting, water colours, acrylic on canvas paintings, ink painting, mixed media collage, etching, printing etc. In Craft and Design, children explore wood working, metal working, electronics, product design, graphic design, gourmet cooking, computer aided design, textiles, sewing, tie-dye, batik, screen printing and many more. They can also learn outside the classroom, partaking in after school clubs and extracurricular trips. 

We have always been passionate advocates of The Arts and here at KES Prep, Music and Drama is specialist taught as ‘Performing Arts’ all the way through the school. This academic focus on music alongside creative drama and performance activities enthuses and inspires our children, developing their knowledge and skills, creating plenty of opportunities to build their self-esteem and confidence through performance.