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Our Pre-Preparatory Department, situated adjacent to the Prep School, combines bright, airy classrooms and a stunning multi-purpose hall with a delightful, outdoor garden and charming library. Small classes, which each have both a Form Teacher and a Teaching Assistant, ensure that each child is nurtured and encouraged to work to the best of their ability.
Pre-Prep Learning
We recognise that children who feel confident in themselves and in their own ability have a head start in learning. All of the children are treated as individuals and are encouraged to explore their gifts and strengths in order to achieve their full potential. What children can do, rather than what they cannot, is the starting point in their learning, and planning is flexible so that children’s individual needs and interests can be followed.
In King’s St Alban’s Pre-Prep, our number one priority is the well-being and happiness of our pupils. Young children learn from everything that happens around them and our children thrive on the opportunities offered.
Pre-Prep Facilities
King’s St Alban’s Pre-Prep comprises purpose-built accommodation, with spacious classrooms for Reception, Year 1, and Year 2, and an impressive hall that provides space for sport, drama, music, assemblies, and lunch.
A unique, enclosed, outdoor playing area extends the building’s offerings, with space for children to explore and play. Water containers, a giant sand-pit and construction materials all serve to develop the children’s natural curiosity and playfulness. In addition, the Forest School area is a short stroll away through the Prep School grounds. Here, weekly sessions with a trained Forest School Leader add an extra dimension to outdoor learning.
Specialist staff from the Junior School teach French, Music, PE, Swimming, and Games lessons, and the children regularly use the facilities on the Junior School site. Throughout the year, all of the Pre-Prep children have weekly swimming lessons in addition to PE and Games. Year 1 and Year 2 use the IT suite every week and Year 2 also use the Science laboratory and have weekly Art lessons in the art studio.
Growth Mindset within Pre-Prep
Throughout the academic year we ‘grow’ a learning tree. Children are encouraged to display specific personal qualities both towards their school work and in their daily life at school, for example, perseverance, curiosity, and creativity. They will be awarded a leaf to place on the tree if they continue to demonstrate these positive character traits. In this way we foster a Growth Mindset which will help the children throughout their education and indeed into their adult lives. Find out more about our Growth Mindset at King’s St Alban’s.