There is a constant buzz about Cumnor House Pre-Prep, which you will feel from the moment you step inside. It comes from the excitement of learning and the enjoyment of achieving in a happy, safe and secure environment in which the children truly love to be.
At the core of our department is a team of dedicated, passionate and devoted teachers. The building, whilst being in the heart of the school, is also self contained and the classrooms surround Grace’s Garden, one of the Pre-Prep’s own play areas.
Our class sizes are small and the qualified teachers are supported by teaching assistants. This enables us to meet the needs of every child. The class teachers teach the main subject areas: Maths, English, Science, Topic (History and Geography) ICT, Art, DT, RS and PSCHE. Other subject areas are taught by separate specialist teachers: French (Year 1 and 2) Music, Drama, Games and Swimming. Ballet lessons are also available after school.
A typical day
- 8:00 Arrival
- 8:25 Prayers (twice a week with the Prep school)
- 8.40 Maths or Literacy (Read, Write Inc, please see below)
- 10:00 Playtime * (fruit, biscuits and drink)
- 10.30 Maths or Literacy
- 11:50 Lunch
- 12:20 Playtime *
- 1:10 Lessons – Science, Topic, Art, Games etc
- 3:00 Hometime
There is an ‘After School Club’ that runs from 3pm to 5pm each day. The children play in the playground, read books, watch films and play with toys or games.
*During the playtimes the children are split between Grace’s Garden in the centre of the Pre-Prep and Ruby Towers, situated in the woods.
Read, Write, Inc
Read Write Inc. is a fully integrated and dynamic literacy programme. The structure is firmly based in synthetic phonics. It teaches the sounds needed to read alongside a very clever handwriting curriculum. We introduced this in the Pre-Prep in September 2010 and both the children and the teachers are greatly enjoying the lively way in which these lessons are taught. The children are grouped according to their sound knowledge, ensuring they are always achieving, which in turn boosts confidence. Please click on the link for more information.
Click the image to go to the Read Write Inc website
Transition
During my time at Cumnor the one factor that never ceases to overwhelm me is the care and interest all the children display for one another. The older children will always be ready and willing to help look after the younger ones in any way they can and they very much see the Pre-Prep as an integral part of their school. This underlying factor helps enormously with the transition from Year 2 to Year 3 in the Prep School. In order to enhance this smooth transistion, Miss Natalie Davis (Head of Year 3) comes to teach in the Year 2 classes once a week during the spring and summer terms. Some of the current Year 3 children come and talk to the Year 2s and answer their questions and they also write a ‘Guide to the Prep School’, which the Year 2 children receive just before the summer holidays.
From the very start of their time at Cumnor we talk about the school’s motto – ‘Aim High, Be Kind, Dare to be Different,’ and through this we strive to develop the positive attitudes and the confidence that will enable the children to love learning.
Sarah Snell
Head of Pre-Prep