Pre-PrepWelcome to Pre-Prep

Nestled in picturesque and tranquil surroundings our Pre-Prep provides space and a serene backdrop for children’s growth and exploration.

Here, your child’s early steps in their educational journey take place in an atmosphere where they feel happy, safe and nurtured; after all, children’s well-being is fundamental to their good learning.

In this first phase of school life, it is important to us that the start of every child’s educational journey is a joyful one which instills a life-long love for learning. We encourage every child to join in and try their very best across our vibrant and creative curriculum. With a broad range of activities both in and out of the classroom, there are always great opportunities to build confidence and for our children to flourish through endeavour and engagement, and by developing knowledge in a way that leads to independent thought and successes.

We ignite curiosity, questions are always welcomed, and enthusiasm encouraged.

Caring for your child

Our class teachers are responsible for the pastoral care of the children in their class, and in the Early Years classes each child has a Key Person who oversees the needs of the child and liaises with parents.

Friendships and kindness are an important part of enjoying positive early school experiences at Barrow Hills and we place great importance on developing ‘Human skills’. Good manners and responsibility for others is a very important part of being in Pre-Prep and our children learn how to share, take turns, work collaboratively and taking responsibility. We want them to learn values which will last them a lifetime.

Pre-Prep

“I have no words to express how my heart is feeling comfortable, grateful, peaceful... arriving home to happy children is the best thing that I could ask. Thank you very much.”

Reception parent

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A wide-ranging and stimulating curriculum

Beyond Nursery and Kindy classes, we continue to create a wide-ranging and stimulating curriculum with an emphasis on each child reaching their potential. Personal and Social Development is an intrinsic part of each day here at Barrow Hills, with the child at the centre of their own learning and motivated to be the best they can be.

With our extensive woodland and grounds, Forest School is just a small part of the learning we often take outdoors, whether it be in Maths to create experiences of manipulating real-life materials and explore mathematical thinking or in English, using our woodland, for example, as inspiration for poetry or story writing.

Year 1 and Year 2’s curriculum is further enhanced by specialist teaching in Art and Drama. In the final year of Pre-Prep, our Year 2 pupils’ growing confidence and independence is encouraged with greater responsibility as they take on roles including House Captains.

Pre-Prep is an influential voice of our school community and as such have representatives from each class, from Reception, at regular School Council meetings, led by the Year 8s and the Head of Prep.

The perfect foundations and springboard into a positive and vibrant Prep life.

Early leadership opportunities

Pre-prep children are encouraged to apply for captaincy roles in areas that interest them, such as sports, art, drama, or even gardening. The children set their own targets and goals during regular meetings with their form tutors, deciding how they will achieve these goals and make a meaningful difference at Barrow Hills. Such a go-to approach enabled the children to gain a distinction in the national Green Awards in 2024.

They can also become Peer Mentors or Wellbeing Ambassadors. and support the younger children. Weekly meetings over a hot chocolate encourage children to set targets for themselves so that they can fulfil their responsibilities to the best of their ability.

A very warm welcome awaits…

We hope you enjoy learning more about Prep and school life at Barrow Hills more generally and naturally we are at your service to assist with any questions you may have.

The best way to experience what life is like at Barrow Hills is to book a personal tour or join us at an Open Morning where you will have the chance to talk to our children and teachers about what makes the academic and personal journeys so special here, and to ask any questions you have about our life at our school.

Join us at an Open Morning

The best way to experience what life is like at Barrow Hills is to join us at an Open Morning. You will have the chance to talk to pupils and teachers about what makes our school such a magical place, and to ask any questions you have about life here.
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