Our teachers are specialists in their fields and encourage our children to participate, create and contribute. GEMS is the natural evolution of over 47 years of experience and vision - to bring a unique brand of quality education to communities around the world. Our core educational values - World Citizenship, Leadership Qualities, Universal Values and Forward Thinking - are combined with an innovative, relevant approach to education.
Exploration, innovative problem solving, independent expression and decision-making are actively encouraged. Students become informed, confident and active learners with a strong sense of self.
GEMS prepares students to face the challenges of the future by creating education programmes relevant to today's world.
At Brabyns, we recognise that all children are different and develop in their own unique way. We also believe that, given the right environment, a child’s capacity for growth is endless.
We have a holistic curriculum, which is rich, stimulating and diverse encompassing the spiritual, moral, social, emotional, cultural, intellectual and physical development of each child. Our aim is to inspire every child to reach their potential through exciting and challenging learning experiences. The curriculum use the National Curriculum as a framework, but it is regarded more as a minimum standard than a constraint. The curriculum has flexibility so that it can be adapted to provide the best possible education to meet the needs of the individual and to maximise their own potential, according to their talents and strengths.
Our modern curriculum which places emphasis on the core subjects (English, Maths, Science & I.C.T.) and careful monitoring of progress ensures that our proven record of academic success continues. We are quite formal in our approach to teaching and learning and also in our attention to standards of dress, behaviour and manners. But at the same time we like to foster a happy, caring family atmosphere where the partnership of parents, pupils and teachers is encouraged. The result is happy, confident, self motivated children.
Excellent results in national tests and grammar school entrance examinations are a by-product of the whole experience we provide for our children. Additionally in Years 5 and 6 is a significant portion of the timetable is allocated to English, Mathematics and Reasoning as the pupils are prepared for the demands of the entrance examinations into the Independent Senior Day Schools. The vast majority of children move on to schools such as Manchester Grammar School, Withington Girls School, Manchester High School, Stockport Grammar School, Cheadle Hulme School and King’s School.
Our broad curriculum is further enhanced by our provision of a kaleidoscope of extra-curricular activities that have been found to be a real strength of the school. These activities are a fun and fulfilling aspect of school life, encouraging self confidence while emphasising personal discipline and concern for others.
English
In English children are encouraged to use language imaginatively, both in oral and
written form, whilst at the same time acquiring a clear understanding of grammar and punctuation. We believe that reading is a compelling activity for children and that is vital to help all our pupils to discover the pleasure and enrichment which it brings. Starting reading is very special and we give great prominence to the role of the teacher in introducing children to a variety of different texts including fantasy, poetry, rhyme and non-fiction. We value parental support in passing on a real enjoyment of books and stimulating responses to the books which children will take home. Each classroom has its own fiction and poetry library and is a Junior Library housing non-fiction. We celebrate World Book Day annually and book fairs are regular events. The Junior children are taught by English specialists.
Mathematics
The overall aims of the Mathematics curriculum are to enable our children to develop a sound grasp of essential mechanical skills and processes and to encourage the skills of analysis, interpretation, logical deduction and extrapolation. These wider abilities are the key to real knowledge and understanding. Basic knowledge is acquired through practice and our pupils' skills and their ability to apply them are monitored through regular tests, and continuous assessment. Mathematics specialists are responsible for the teaching in Junior School.
Science
The delivery of the Science curriculum is enhanced by the facilities in our Discovery Lab, which is specifically equipped with laboratory furniture, services, utilities and a networked computer with internet access. The curriculum is based on the requirements of the National Curriculum. Our aims in Science teaching are that all children will retain and develop their natural sense of curiosity about the world around them. We foster a set of attitudes that will promote a scientific way of thinking including objectivity, perseverance, open mindedness and recognition of the value of teamwork. Children are encouraged to observe, make and test hypotheses, design fair and controlled experiments, draw conclusions and evaluate evidence. Safety is of paramount importance during all Science lessons. The Association for Science Education booklet "Be Safe" forms the basis of planning for safety in the teaching of Science.
Information and Communication Technology (I.C.T.)
I.C.T. is an essential part of the modern curriculum. Our I.C.T. suite was refitted with 16 brand new networked computers in January 2005.
We aim to help the children become independent learners and understand how I.C.T. can be used to communicate and handle information, control and monitor events, and model real and imaginary situations’. The children have a weekly specialist I.C.T. lesson during which they learn the skills to be able to use I.C.T. effectively. They also use the suite other subjects, for example when researching different topics, word processing work, data handling in maths and for art-work. Having computers in all the classrooms will also has considerable benefits.
Our main aims of I.C.T. is to offer the opportunities for children to:
- develop I.C.T. capacity, including their knowledge and understanding of the importance of information and of how to select and prepare it;
- develop their skills in using hardware and software to manipulate information in their processes of problems solving, recording and expressive work;
- develop their ability to apply their I.C.T. capability and I.C.T. to support their language and communication, and the learning on other areas;
- explore their attitudes towards I.C.T., its value for themselves, others and society, and their awareness of its advantages and limitations.
Religious Education
Brabyns Preparatory School is an inter-denominational school which welcomes pupils of all religions or none. We aim to provide opportunities to develop children's knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in this country. Our programme of study encompasses the natural world, special people and figures, sacred books and writing, festivals, celebrations, special buildings and places of worship. We make occasional visits to places of worship. We want our pupils to grow up with an understanding and respect for the beliefs of others and the capacity to reflect upon and evaluate important human and ethical issues.
History and Geography
At Brabyns we aim to stimulate the children's interest in the world around them and in the past which has shaped their lives and our society. We hope to arouse children's curiosity and develop their investigative skills through an understanding of local History and Geography. The area around Marple is rich in industrial Geography and History and we make regular visits to heritage centres, working mills, canals and social History museums. The study of History and Geography engenders in the pupil a sense of identity and a concern for other cultures and the environment as a whole.
Physical Education (P.E.)
Our aims are to encourage and develop gifted athletes and, equally importantly, to provide an opportunity for all pupils to develop an enthusiasm for sport irrespective of natural ability. We offer a varied range of activities with specialist teaching from a P.E. graduate for every class. All classes have 2 lessons of P.E. each week. Additionally years 1, 2 and 3 have a 30 minute swimming lesson every week. Years 4, 5 and 6 go swimming for one term each during the school year.
The main sports currently pursued are football, high-5 (netball), basketball, rounders, hockey, rugby, lacrosse, cricket, tennis, badminton, volleyball and athletics. Gymnastics and Dance take place in our hall using specialist equipment. Junior children are also taught Outdoor Adventure.
We offer a varied programme of inter school competitive sport through interhouse competitions, including swimming galas and Sports Day in addition to competitions in individual sports. These give the children further opportunities to develop their physical skills and a sense of fair play.
Music
Brabyns Preparatory School has a tradition of participating in the performing Arts. There are numerous opportunities for all children perform, including taking part in the Christmas, Harvest Festival and end-of-year celebrations.
Plays, ballet, musical activities including choir, recorder group and orchestra are regular features of the school year. A 'hands on' approach is used in the teaching of Music from the very start. Children join in with a wide variety of singing games and musical activities. They are introduced to percussion instruments in the nursery and are shown how to handle them correctly. As the children develop their musical skills and appreciation they become increasingly involved in composing, arranging and improvising. Listening to Music plays an important role in developing the child's aesthetic awareness. Children from the Junior School form the main body of the choir but Infant children are also encouraged to join. A flute group and a musical ensemble meet regularly and perform at school functions. At times the Music programme will be linked to topics covered in other areas of the curriculum.
Design Technology (D.T.) and Art & Design
The teaching is enhanced by the facilities of our specially fitted out Art room this attractive learning environment children helps the children to express their creativity and develop practical skills. Children are encouraged to understand their own and others' cultural heritage and to experience different approaches to Art, including individual, group and whole class work. In D.T. the children have the experience of planning, making and evaluating a range models etc.
Children are guided through the visual elements of Art including colour, tone, line and shape, pattern, form and space. They become familiar with a range of artists and styles, develop their knowledge of Art History and their capacity to criticise the work of others. We have specialist Art and Design Technology Days.
French
Our Modern Language programme is taught by a language specialist. Spanish is taught throughout the school and French is taught from Year 3 upwards. We aim to familiarise the children with the basics of the languages and provide them with the skills and confidence to learn a foreign language. The children learn in an enjoyable, starting with oral learning through games and songs. In the Juniors the children continue with speaking and listening skills through questions and answers, songs, games and sketches. They also begin to recognise the written word and start to write in Spanish and French.
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