Life in Pre-Prep

Sunday Times Schools Guide 2025 - Independent Secondary School of the Year North West

Opening Hours

Pre-Prep is open for 50 weeks of the year from 8.30am to 3.30pm.
We also offer an early morning drop off-option from 8.00am in Little School.
Fun Club offers care after school from 3.30pm to 6pm.
During the holiday periods days run from 8am to 4pm.

The Pre Prep Team

The Management team comprises of Mrs Sam Tempest, Pre-Prep Lead and Mrs Leanne Lovell, Pre-Prep Deputy. Mrs Katie Tyrie, Head of Early Years, oversees Pre-Prep.
Qualifications held by the Pre-Prep Key Persons include:

  • Level 6 Qualifications
  • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
  • Early Years Professional Status

Daily Routine in Term Time

During the day, a range of activities take place:

Daily Routine
8.30am Pre-Prep Opens
Children and parents are welcomed by the Pre-Prep team.
9.15am – 9.30am Good Morning Time – an introduction to the day’s activities (planned around the children’s interests).
9.30am – 10.50am Indoor and outdoor activities
10.50am – 11.00am Tidy up time
11.00am – 11.15am Key group time/preparing for Lunch.
11.15am – 12.00pm Lunch in the School Dining Hall
12.00pm – 12.20pm Outdoor play
12.20pm – 12.30pm Rest time with story and rhyme time.
12.30pm – 2.25pm Indoor and outdoor activities 
2.25pm – 2.35pm Tidy up time.
2.35pm – 2.50m Key group time and snack.
2.50pm – 3.00pm Outdoor play.
3.30pm Home time

Holiday Periods

During the school holiday periods the Pre-Prep curriculum has a more relaxed focus and children do not need to wear uniform. They will access lots of additional activities whilst still following our Early Years educational programme.

Days run from 8am to 4pm during the holiday weeks.
A light breakfast is offered to children between 8am and 9am.

Parents requiring additional care between 4pm and 6pm are able to book their child onto Fun Club.

Progression to Prep 

Throughout their time in Pre-Prep, children have opportunities to play, explore and take part in a wide range of activities in the wider School setting so that, when the time comes, they feel happy and confident about moving on to Reception and the next stage of their educational journey at the School.

To help with the transition, throughout the year the children in Pre Prep:

  • Have their lunch in the School Dining Hall
  • Take part in performances in Prep Hall at Christmas
  • Take part in the annual Sports Day which takes place on the School field
  • Have ‘Reading Buddies’ from Year 6 who visit to read stories

Pupils from Prep regularly help and support children from Pre-Prep encouraging children to make friendships across the different year groups and school community.

Activities to Support the Transition to Prep

The Reception teachers plan a variety of events and visits to support the move to Reception.  These include:

  • Listening to stories told by the Reception teachers in Pre-Prep
  • Having play-dates in Reception before they start
  • Taking part in assemblies in Little School in the summer term
  • Spending a day in in Reception so that they feel become familiar with their new classroom and teacher before they start.

Reception teachers also offer an Induction Evening in June for new parents so that parents have an opportunity to meet their child’s class teacher and teaching assistant and to see the classroom and resources on offer.

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Sixth Form Options Evening

-Thursday 30th January 2025 – 6.00pm – 8.00pm

Senior Assessment Days

-September 2025 Entry (Year 6 applicants) – 20th, 21st & 22nd January 2025

Prep Taster Days

Various dates available throughout January and February 2025