On entering the Prep school boys and girls continue to be taught by a class teacher for many subjects, have a classroom base and there are still 2 classes per year group as in the Pre-Prep (now with a maximum of 18 per class). We work hard to ensure that the youngest Prep school children continue to feel safe and comfortable; changes in our expectations are introduced gradually.

At Year 5 (age 9) children begin to be taught by 'subject specialists' for all their lessons. They are now using the Art and Design Technology rooms and we introduce them also to the Science lab. and to either Spanish or Latin as a second language. As in Pre-Prep, the learning support department continues to offer help to children who need it and its central location means that a wide range of pupils 'pop in' for informal advice.

As boys and girls move into their final 3 years we begin to work with them towards the goal of Common Entrance at 13. We help children who are taking scholarships by providing individually tailored programmes of study which may include small extension groups, one-to-one tuition or discussion forums.

With almost all pupils in recent years gaining places at their chosen schools, exam results speak for themselves. However, we believe that the mutual support pupils give at this stressful time is an achievement of equal importance; children learn much more here than a recipe for success.