Structure of the Prep School

When a pupil enters the Prep School, either by continuation through from the Pre-Prep or by entry from another school, they come into a well proven and highly professional teaching environment that has at its core the belief that academically, children of all abilities can continue to make progress at all stages. Whether the child is at the beginning of his/her career, or soon to be moving on to senior school, the teaching provision remains strong. It is offered in a variety of styles appropriate to different types of learners and not totally dominated by the requirements of Common Entrance. Indeed, some of our pupils will transfer to their senior school at 13+ without sitting this set of examinations.

The Prep School is made up of two sections and the age and development of the pupils has been a key issue in the founding of the system.

In Form I and II (years 3 and 4), there are four classes (two in each year) and pupils are almost entirely based in a single, large, modern and well equipped classroom They are informally known as the Middle School and are led by a Middle School co-ordinator. A pupils time in Form I and II would be spent preparing for the change from what is essentially a curriculum taught by a class teacher to one dominated by specialist subject teachers. However, at this stage Music, Technology, ICT and Physical Education are all taught by specialist teachers in purpose built facilities and this helps to develop the idea of moving around a large but well contained school campus.

From Form III onwards (year 5 and above), the pupils are taught by specialist teachers for all of their subjects. The pupils are Streamed at this point which provides exceptionally well for the vast range of abilities of the pupil at Beachborough. They are based predominately in the Manor House and move from room to room. The need for purpose built facilities requires the pupils to move and the timetable is specifically designed to cater for this movement throughout the working day.

Beachborough is not just a 9 to 5 school. We provide much more and what happens after the end of the days academic lessons is just as important to the pupils education. The age of the pupils determines the route that they follow.

Whilst the majority of Form I and II pupils go home, always taking their reading books or spellings to learn, the school provides a well structured care and tea system, at no extra cost, and a pupil can remain until 6.45pm if the parents so wish.

Forms III to VI follow a programme that consists of either a formal prep session or an activities session, depending on the night of the week, and as with the younger pupils they may stay until 6.45pm. The oldest pupils are required to stay to this time and by so doing they go home in the evening to spend quality family time until bed.

Please download the detail of the areas covered in the curriculum during this academic year. School Curriculum document Adobe Pdf (120kb)

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The quality of the learning experience is of primary importance at Beachborough. We have specific support mechanisms in place that address each childs particular individual needs throughout their time at our school. We aim to help each child maximise their potential.

A copy of the Learning Support Information for Parents' Booklet can be downloaded from the Parents' site.

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