Early Years and Prep
The Prep Department provides a rich, broad and balanced curriculum. Well qualified and dedicated staff ensure that their teaching methods are a blend of the traditional and the very best of what is new.
General
- Lively, friendly and caring atmosphere
- High standards and expectations
- Close monitoring of progress
- National Curriculum Guidelines followed and extended
- Individual strengths and talents developed
- Nurturing of self-confidence and self-esteem
- Swimming, Music, Drama and Physical skills developed
- Regular educational visits to museums, theatres, galleries and places of interest
- Residential school journeys for years 5 and 6
- Teacher Support - Full-Time Early Years - Part Time - other classes
- Assessment of all subjects is ongoing and includes annual standardised tests.
Nursery and Reception
The children receive a firm foundation to their education through the development of the Early Learning Goals:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication, Language and Literacy
- Mathematical Development
- Knowledge and Understanding of the World
- Physical Development
- Creative Development.
With careful observation by staff, children are encouraged to develop at their own level of ability. Personal Profiles are monitored throughout.
An OFSTED Inspector made a routine inspection of the Early Years. The Inspector’s full report is available from the school office. Here are some of her comments:
- St. Catherine’s School provides high quality early years education and children make very good progress towards the early learning goals in all six areas of learning.
- The quality of teaching is very good and often excellent
- Leadership and management is very good.
Partnership with parents is very good. Parents express great satisfaction with the provision and the positive impact it has on their children particularly in the development of their self-confidence, reading, writing and mathematics.
Key Stage 1 - Preps 1 and 2 (5-7 years)
At this stage the pupils encounter the National Curriculum.
- Numeracy
- Literacy
- Science
- Design Technology
- Music
- Physical Education
- Art and Craft
- ICT
- Religious Education
- Geography
- History
- Drama
- PSHE
Key Stage 2 - Preps 3, 4, 5 and 6 (7-11 years)
French is added in Year 3. Girls continue to develop all subjects already mentioned ensuring breadth, balance and continuity of learning.
Extra Curricular Activities
Pupils enjoy the opportunity to participate in Art Club, Badminton, Ballet, Chess, Choir, Computing Club, French Club, LAMDA Drama, Mad Science, Netball, Orchestra, Rounders, Swimming, Tennis and Yoga.
Uniform
- Prep Uniform Price List and Order Form 2007 (Download)
Early Years and Prep Poster
- Early Years and Prep Poster (Download)
The Grumpy Sheep
Nursery, Reception, Prep 1 and Prep 2 enjoyed presenting their Christmas play, The Grumpy Sheep, to parents on 11th and 12th December, 2007.
Can you find the Grumpy Sheep in our gallery of photographs?
(Gallery opens in new window - close window to return to this page).