Widford Lodge

Children enter Pre-Prep School in the academic year in which they turn six, before entering the Prep School after their seventh birthday.

Pupils develop their interests and talents in small classes, with caring and enthusiastic teachers with whom they spend most of their day.

The Pre-Prep school day runs from 8.45am until 3.15pm.  Classrooms are vibrant and stimulating, with lots of children’s work on display and resources around the room to foster a natural curiosity and thirst for learning.

Literacy and numeracy provide the main emphasis of the curriculum and as a priority, teachers strive to instil a love of books and reading.

As well as an extensive reading scheme, author studies familiarise pupils with a range of children’s authors and provide wonderful opportunities for creative language work. Grammar, handwriting and spelling are taught as more formal lessons.

Numeracy skills are gained through a hands-on, practical approach, which teaches mathematical concepts using discussions, practice, challenges and investigations. Our enthusiastic attitude towards maths ensures that the children see it as a fun and creative subject. Mental strategies are a priority and children are frequently assessed to ensure their knowledge and understanding is progressing.

Science, art, design technology, computing, PE/games, music and French are also part of the Pre-Prep timetable, with history, geography and religious education taught as topics.  Educational trips and an annual ‘Go Creative’ event enrich the curriculum.

Highlights of the year include Christmas plays, sports day, swimming galas, summer concerts, theatre trips and a prize giving ceremony to which parents are warmly invited.