Pre-Prep

Reception – Year 2

Pre- Prep

We offer an exceptional early-education for children providing a joyful, nurturing and secure environment where they can explore and make friends.

Our bright form rooms, small class sizes and a spacious enclosed outdoor area give children the freedom to learn, explore and grow. They also benefit from access to S. Anselm’s 20 acre grounds and exceptional sporting facilities.

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LIFE IN PRE-PREP

A typical school day

Lessons

Children arrive from 8.35am for Form Period, with registration at 8.50am. The day includes a balance of structured lessons, outdoor play, specialist teaching and enrichment activities.

Assemblies

Held three times a week, our assemblies feature singing practice, a weekly news round‑up, and a celebration assembly where certificates are awarded for effort, achievement and positive behaviour.

Lunch

Children enjoy a two course lunch in the main dining room, seated with their form teacher or teaching assistant. Special themed meals mark events such as Harvest, Halloween, Christmas and Easter.

Swimming

Weekly swimming lessons in our school pool help children become confident, capable swimmers, giving them valuable water‑safety skills while building strength, coordination and enjoyment in the water.

After school club

For families needing extended care, our relaxed and friendly after school club runs until 5.25pm each day.

A BROAD, BALANCED CURRICULUM

We offer a rich curriculum that blends the best of traditional and modern teaching methods.

Reception follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. Years 1 and 2 enjoy a broad programme designed to stimulate intellectual, physical, spiritual, social and emotional development.

English

In Pre-Prep, children’s love of stories is nurtured from the very beginning. They are encouraged to develop creativity in their writing, gradually becoming confident, independent writers. As their skills grow, we help them to balance imaginative expression with accuracy.

Reading is central to our approach. We aim to instil a lifelong love of books, with every child reading daily to their Form Teacher or a Teaching Assistant.

Poetry and drama enrich language development, while handwriting, grammar, spelling and punctuation are taught progressively throughout the Pre-Prep.

Mathematics

Mathematical understanding is built through practical, enjoyable, hands-on activities. Children explore numbers, patterns and sequences, and are encouraged to observe, question and suggest ideas.

Lessons are tailored to each child’s pace of development, ensuring activities challenge, stimulate and build confidence.

ICT

Children grow up in a rapidly evolving digital world, and ICT plays an important role in our curriculum. Every child has a weekly ICT lesson in the LEGO Innovation Studio®.

Technology is woven creatively into project work, using iPads, digital cameras, floor robots, mini video recorders, 3D printers and green screen technology.

PSHE

Personal, Social and Health Education equips children with the knowledge, skills and understanding to lead confident, healthy and independent lives. We explore social and moral dilemmas, right and wrong behaviour, and the importance of being responsible citizens.

Weekly ‘good work’ assemblies celebrate effort, kindness and good manners, helping to build confidence and self esteem. Children work throughout the week to earn Golden Time by keeping the class Golden Rules, enjoying special activities or bringing toys from home.

Religious Studies

Children gain insight into a variety of world religions through regular RS lessons and stories from different faiths. We encourage thoughtful questioning in a safe, reflective environment, helping children to develop respect, understanding and curiosity.

Science, Geography and History

Science, geography and history are explored through rich, cross curricular projects. Children develop investigative skills through hands-on learning both inside and outside the classroom.

They are encouraged to ask “why” and test their ideas, with literacy, art and design technology woven into project work.

French

All children enjoy a weekly French lesson taught by a specialist teacher, following the popular La Jolie Ronde scheme. The focus is on spoken language, helping children to communicate confidently and discover the excitement of learning another language.

Music

Music is a joyful part of Pre-Prep life, with corridors often filled with singing. Each class has a weekly lesson with a specialist teacher, exploring percussion instruments, group performance and composition. As children progress, they learn to vary speed, dynamics and character.

Instrumental lessons are available in piano, recorder, guitar, violin, ukulele, harp, bass instruments, drums and voice.

Sports

Pre-Prep sport focuses on developing coordination, fitness and a love of physical activity. Children enjoy indoor sessions in the Sports Hall and outdoor lessons on the playing fields and all weather AstroTurf.

Specialist sports teachers lead weekly Games & PE lessons for Years 1 and 2, covering netball, hockey, football, tennis, rugby, dance and gymnastics. All children also have a weekly swimming lesson in the school’s indoor pool.

We aim to nurture each child’s physical abilities, teamwork skills and enjoyment of sport, helping them to build a positive lifelong relationship with physical activity.

Forest school

Outdoor adventures that inspire young minds

Forest school is an integral part of Pre‑Prep life, offering children a unique opportunity to learn through exploration and discovery in the natural environment. Rooted in Scandinavian educational practice, the approach nurtures curiosity, problem‑solving and child‑led learning.

Children enjoy weekly sessions in our woodlands and gardens, where activities support personal, social and emotional development, strengthen motor skills and encourage creativity and teamwork. As they play, explore and investigate, children grow in confidence, resilience and their connection with the natural world.

Beyond the classroom

Learning at S. Anselm’s reaches far beyond the classroom, with opportunities for children to connect their learning to the world around them.

Our proximity to Bakewell allows pupils to enjoy enriching visits to local landmarks, cultural sites and community spaces.

We also make full use of the school’s own facilities, taking lessons into inspiring environments such as the Hargreaves Hall, the Innovation Studio and the science laboratories when it enhances creativity and curiosity.

A varied programme of educational outings further broadens pupils’ experiences and builds confidence and teamwork. Recent trips have included country estates, outdoor discovery centres, steam railways, museums, theatre visits and age‑appropriate adventure activities.