Beyond the Classroom

We feel it is very important that learning is not confined to the classroom and embrace opportunities to enrich children’s wider learning experiences throughout the Pre-Prep.

With the town of Bakewell on our doorstep, the children in Reception regularly enjoy the walk down the hill into town to visit Bakewell library.  In Year 2, children visit Bakewell Church with our School Chaplain, Canon Tony Kaunhoven and Bakewell’s Old House Museum is also a favourite place to visit as part of our history studies.

Our Forest School sessions provide valuable opportunities for children to explore the natural environment within the school grounds.  Clambering through the woods is a highlight of the week for everybody!

We are also lucky to have the extensive grounds and facilities of S. Anselm’s at our disposal, so when appropriate, we enjoy the opportunity to relocate our lessons to a different space such as the Hargreaves Hall for drama, the Innovation Studio or a laboratory for scientific exploration.

From Year 1, we aim to take the children on termly trips to both contribute to their experience of a subject we are learning and to learn important team and behavioural skills when visiting new places.  Children travel with their own Form teacher and supporting staff in one of our S. Anselm’s minibuses.

Recent visits have included:

  • Sealife Centre, Manchester
  • Peak Rail Steam Train journey
  • Moorland Discovery Centre, Longshaw Estate
  • Sherwood Pines
  • Chatsworth Adventure Playground & real animal Nativity
  • Theatre
  • Team building (at the end of Year 2), which has included bouldering, caving, rock climbing and archery.