In Reception, our vision is to create an environment where every child can reach their full potential. We recognise each child as an individual learner and take each unique pupil on a bespoke educational journey through this great year of school. We understand the importance of this time in a child’s development and are proud to offer a curriculum that establishes strong foundations for our earliest learners, building their confidence and stimulating their interest. We offer them a plethora of opportunities to learn through inquiry and investigation, developing their literacy and numeracy skills so that they can succeed at Holmwood. Our experienced Reception team are all highly trained and incredibly passionate about what they do. We pride ourselves on inspiring the children to be excited by their learning and the world around them through sparking their curiosity and igniting wonder.
In Year 1 our children move into Pre-Prep which encompasses Years 1, 2 and 3 and is located in our superb, spacious Pre-Prep Building which hosts its own personalised playground. We are incredibly lucky to have an amazing team of inspiring class teachers and assistants who dedicate themselves to delivering our broad, rigorous and enriching curriculum which prepares children to fulfil our mission statement of being lifelong, curious learners who are on a quest for knowledge.
Our specially designed IGNITE Pre-Prep Curriculum utilises the learning skills that our confident children have developed in our EYFS environment. It is underpinned by the premise that learning which blends excitement and challenge is integral to developing intrinsically motivated, confident and engaged children who have a growing curiosity and understanding of the world around them. Our intention is to equip our pupils to be resilient, effective communicators who ask questions about their learning, who are collaborative and reflective and who think critically for themselves and solve problems.
Our curriculum provides opportunities for ownership, creativity and leadership with the purpose of building essential, transferable core skills through challenging and immersive learning. It is also anchored by our learning philosophy – the 5Rs. Our 5R’s encompass much of what we do in the Pre-Prep. These learning skills encourage our children to be Resilient Rhinos, Resourceful Raccoons, Responsible Reindeers, Reasoning Ravens or Reflective Rabbits! The children demonstrate these skills daily, reflect on areas they need to improve on and enjoy working towards weekly awards as a result of their hard work.
Throughout the different subject areas, we develop the children’s knowledge and skills preparing them for a seamless transition into the Key Stage 2 curriculum which they begin in Year 3. As the children progress through the year groups, our teachers support the children to develop their confidence and independence to ensure a seamless transition into our Prep School. To assist this, our Pre-Prep children are gradually introduced to more specialist teachers and a wider variety of activities, thus allowing the children to develop their independence and responsibility within a safe and controlled structure.
In the Pre-Prep, we pride ourselves on providing bespoke pastoral care and ensuring we endeavour to have open communication with our parents. A happy child requires a triangular support system of parent, teacher and child working collaboratively to ensure success each day and ultimately throughout each year. It means that our teachers and assistants build up good relationships with all of the children and support them on their bespoke learning journey. Throughout the Pre-Prep, good behaviour and positive attitudes are role modelled and consequently celebrated in our weekly Golden Awards Assembly. We celebrate children who have achieved a 5R and Golden Award for their excellent work in the week.
As Head of Pre Prep, I enjoy working with the parents and children to support the children’s learning journeys and to make sure they leave pre-prep as happy, confident children who have a life-long love of learning.
Miss B Ashton
Head of Pre-Prep & Reception
First Class Hons, BEd Primary
