AN  INDEPENDENT  PREPARATORY  SCHOOL FOR  BOYS  AND  GIRLS  AGED  3-11  YEARS

Introduction

Benedict House Preparatory School was founded in 1989, with the aim of providing the highest level of academic tuition to pupils. The school is co-educational, with an age range of pupils from 3 to 11 years. There is a strong emphasis on the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science utilising traditional teaching methods, yet the School is progressive in the introduction of computer technology and the learning of modern European languages from an early age. Pupils have the added benefit of small class sizes and a warm, family-style atmosphere in which to learn. The School endeavours to bring to its pupils the benefits of self-improvement and confidence through the enjoyment of school life. The structure of the School allows rapid development of all children who are prepared to work well, in partnership with their parents and the School.

Structure of the School

Nursery and Reception Classes-Activities and Curriculum

The Nursery Class is for children from the age of 3 to 4 years , and the Reception Class for children aged 4 to 5 years. One essential criteria of the school is to ensure that the children are happy and content, and much emphasis is placed upon this policy especially for the younger children in the Nursery and Reception classes. In these years the pupils are taught the fundamentals of the core subjects. The Nursery Class is seen very much as the first class of the School, and the children are fully included in all the major school activities and functions. Termly written reports are sent to parents and there are regular parents’ evenings.

The main areas of daily activity in the Nursery Class are: Alphabet sounds; Reading; Handwriting and hand-control; Maths: Number recognition and counting; Art; Singing, with instruments; Ballet with the ballet teacher; Cooking; French Lessons; Free Play with sand, water, dolls house and toys.

In the Reception Class the pupils are taught to say and recognise the alphabet, daily recital of single and double sounds, daily reading, handwriting practice, phonics, History and Geography; Science; Maths, which includes number recognition 1-20, addition, subtraction, problem solving, shapes and the learning of money value, time and measuring; French; Ballet and P.E.; Cooking; Learning how to use Computers and introduced to Information Technology; Play period.

Curriculum and Academic Development from Infants to Juniors

The School follows the National Curriculum and the syllabus

includes the following subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Information and Communication Technology (computers), Design and Technology, Music, Art and Design, French, German, Religious Studies, P.E., Swimming from Years 1-6, Ballet ,and Personal and Social Education.

Extra-curricular subjects include Chess Club, Drama Club and Games Club (Football, Netball, Cricket, Rounders, Athletics).

The pupils progress through the year system with an increasing level of school work as their skills, ability and knowledge improves. The National Curriculum Key Stage 1 (at 7 years) and Key Stage 2 (at 11 years) Assessments are undertaken by the School and the results are published annually. The School curriculum is formulated to prepare the pupils for the demands of the eleven-plus examinations, and entrance tests for Senior Independent Schools. Placings to the various Grammar and Independent Schools are also published annually.