Pre-Prep (Years 1 - 2)
Pre-Prep
Reception
Children who enter our Reception class from the Pre-School are able to take advantage of being in a safe, known environment with familiar faces to quickly focus on the important task of learning. The Reception children enjoy both the responsibilities of leadership as they act as role models for the younger children in Pre-School and the excitement of new beginnings as they become the youngest members of Pre-Prep.
Pre-Prep (Girls & Boys Aged 3-7 Years)
Within our Pre-Prep we provide a stimulating, encouraging environment in which every child is valued as an individual who has their own personality, needs and aspirations.
Our supportive, highly qualified, professional staff build on our children’s natural curiosity to create engaging learning opportunities. The children are challenged, knowledge is extended and each child achieves excellent progress.
Within our Pre-Prep learning does not just occur within the classroom. we take advantage of the wonderful resources we have on the school site, including our Discovery room, our well-resourced computer room, our garden (complete with its own eco hut) and the peaceful setting of our eco-garden. We are also within easy access of the town of Maidenhead, which provides us with more learning opportunities and then for learning further afield we are transported in our minibus.
Alongside our school values of being kind, honest and being the best we can be, we encourage our children to have a joy in living and learning. We embolden them to question, tackle challenges, take risks, accept failure as part of the learning process and take a pride in their achievements.
WE LOVE TO HEAR THE CHILDREN EXCLAIM, “I DIDN’T KNOW I COULD DO THAT!”
YEAR 1
As children enter Year 1 the academic learning becomes more formal but within a nurturing and supportive environment where effort is praised and achievements are celebrated. Children are encouraged to become more independent, to ask questions and to find solutions. Each day begins with a focus on phonics, English or maths with sports, swimming, science, computing, PSHE, RE, drama, music and French being taught throughout the rest of the week.
Our regular outdoor learning sessions support many areas of the curriculum as well as given the children an opportunity to experience the natural world first-hand and develop an understanding of the human impact on it. Throughout Year 1, the children use a wide range of resources to support their learning, including interactive technology, scientific equipment, art materials and practical manipulatives.
Knowledgeable staff carefully plan lessons with an awareness of how individual children learn and the best delivery for them, so each child makes progress and are ready for their move to year 2.
YEAR 2
Year 2 builds on all previous learning with children being encouraged to build links between different areas of the curriculum to extend their understanding across all subjects. In English different genres, authors and poets are studied. Maths is still taught practically with children expected to express themselves using mathematical vocabulary.
Investigative science continues both in our Discovery room and outdoors using a range of equipment and resources. History and Geography are taught discreetly and are supported by outdoor learning and trips. The children participate in a range of sports and continue their weekly swims. Children also continue with their French, drama, music and computing lessons.
As the elders of our Pre-Prep, the children in Year 2 are role models for all Pre-Prep and take more responsibilities for our Pre-Prep productions as well as an increasing understanding of their duties as a pupil of Highfield.
At the end of Year 2 our children leave us well prepared for the next stage of their learning journey, whether this is joining our Prep for the girls or a local independent school for our boys.
Pre-Prep Activities
We have regular outdoor learning sessions, both on site and further afield, where children explore the natural environment, wonder at their discoveries and develop an understanding of their roles as custodians of the natural world. All of the children in Pre-Prep have weekly swimming sessions at Braywick Leisure Centre.
Throughout Pre-Prep the children will have various trips which will support their learning. At the end of the school day children can attend various clubs or join the Den, our after-school club which runs until 6pm. Here the children participate in activities and are served tea. Before school children may attend Early Birds, from 7:30am.
We value open and trusting relationships with all our parents and carers who are a vital part of our school community. They are always welcome to share our events, celebrations and school life with us. We are always ready to listen; our door is always open.
When it is time for our children to start their next adventure, the children to leave Pre-Prep with a love of learning and the self-confidence and self-awareness to take advantage of all the opportunities life will provide for them as they take the next step on their educational journey.
In this section
“Highfield is, in my view, the best primary school in Maidenhead. My daughter has grown in confidence immensely since starting in nursery, 6 years ago. The teachers are fantastic and my daughter loves going to school each day! “
Highfield Parent – Summer ’22
