Preparatory Department
Welcome to the Preparatory Department pages of The Peterborough School. I hope the information you find here is informative and interesting, however, the best way to get to know us to come and visit, so I hope to see you very soon!
My name is Ann-Marie Elding and I have worked at The Peterborough School for ten years; three of those as Head of the Preparatory Department. During my time here I have worked with every age group from Reception to Year 6 and I have enjoyed seeing the Department go from strength to strength.
We pride ourselves on being small and successful and experience shows that this is a winning combination. Our caring ethos means that we get to know each individual child very well and one of our strengths is our proven ability to equip children with the confidence and self-assurance to succeed in whatever they may try. This allows us to ensure that every child meets their full potential, whether academically, in music, drama, sport or other, wide-ranging extra-curricular activities.
We provide a robust academic education, as you can see from our results and value added tables. We are two form entry and currently have 165 pupils on roll in the Department, equating to an average class size of 13. We follow the National Primary Framework, but as an independent school we have the flexibility to tailor the curriculum to meet the requirements of our children. All lessons are differentiated to meet individual needs. In addition, working closely with the Head of Individual Learning, means that we are able to offer a comprehensive support and extension system for those children who need it at different points of their school career. Preparatory children also enjoy the specialist teaching of Senior Staff for subjects such as French, Latin, Reasoning, Music and Physical Education.
We organise a varied and exciting extra-curricular programme. There are currently 24 different clubs on offer so whatever your child's interest, there will be a club to suit them. We also organise an external visit at least once per term for each year group and annually there is a residential activity weekend for Years 4, 5 and 6. All children participate in productions and there are several music concerts throughout the year for children to showcase their hard work and talent, as well as numerous sporting fixtures. Parents' support, encouragement and sometimes even participation, are always valued at these events.
The Reception classes continue the work of the six areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage started in Pre-school, but also allow opportunities for those children who are ready to start on a more formal school career. Reading, writing and mathematics are taught daily in small differentiated groups. The children are also provided with numerous first hand experiences to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world, such as a visit from a policeman or going to the post office to post a letter.
The Infant classes continue developing the firm foundations in all academic, personal and social areas. As our Key Stage One results prove, many children are exceeding the national standard in English, Maths and Science by age seven.
The Key Stage Two curriculum covers all the main areas of study with the introduction of Reasoning from Year 3 and Latin in Years 5 and 6. The children are encouraged to be independent and inquisitive learners and undertake a yearly independent learning project that allows them to develop many important skills such as research, organisation, collaboration, co-operation and working to a deadline. All experiences that will prove invaluable as the boys and girls progress into the Senior School and beyond.
If you have any specific questions or would like any more information about the Preparatory Department please do not hesitate to contact us. But, as I said at the beginning, don't take my word for it, come and see us in action soon.
Mrs Ann-Marie Elding
Assistant Head – Head of Preparatory