Preparatory School Curriculum
The curriculum aims to provide all pupils of the school with a
diverse and balanced education which will thoroughly prepare them
for transition to senior schools at 11.
Each subject on the curriculum is overseen by a subject
co-ordinator who monitors the delivery of the subject syllabus
across the whole Prep School. Liaison is also carried out with
the Senior School to ensure that their requirements are met.
Whilst most teaching time is given to core subjects, English,
Maths and Science, ample time is given to other subjects to ensure
a balance is maintained.
The Curriculum is designed to enable a range of teaching methods
to be used and cross-curricular and individual investigative work
is encouraged at all levels. It allows for creativity by the
teachers enabling them to produce lessons that are not just
informative but also fun.
The School's success rate with 11+ entries to the local Grammar
Schools and the Senior School indicates that the curriculum meets
all the requirements of these schools and enables pupils to make a
smooth transition to secondary education. However, the curriculum
is subject to regular review and update and new ideas are always
encouraged.
Kindergarten
The Kindergarten is a class of up to 24 children, led by a
qualified teacher with two Nursery Assistants. It is a pre-school
class, open to children of 2 ½ to 4 years of age and it
offers a transition between nursery and school. Children are gently
introduced to a school day with assemblies and set play times.
Kindergarten pupils can attend for any combination of full and half
days, increasing the amount of time as they become ready for the
challenges of school life.
Emphasis is placed on developing each individual through the
experience of a wide variety of different stimuli. The development
of language skills through conversation, singing and books is a
strong feature of our work.
We follow the six areas of learning suggested in the foundation
stage curriculum:
- personal, social and emotional development
- language and literacy
- mathematical development
- knowledge and understanding of the world
- physical development
- creative development
Government funding is available for 3 and 4 year old pupils at
Plymouth College Preparatory School. Please ask the Secretary
for further details.
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
This follows the core guidelines set down in the National
Curriculum for Key Stage 1 so that all children are fully prepared
for their Key Stage 1 assessments in the summer term of Year 2.
However, we are not constrained by the National Curriculum and
offer teaching beyond and outside its boundaries depending on the
ability and individual needs of your child.
We endeavour to provide a broad and balanced curriculum to
ensure your child reaches his/her full potential in all areas of
development.
The curriculum is divided into seven broad areas:
- Language Development
This encompasses talking, listening, reading and writing and
consequently embraces all other core areas.
- Numeracy
Computation, problem solving, mental agility and thematic work with
an emphasis on practical application form the basis of our daily
mathematics lessons.
- Science
This includes Physical Science, Environmental Science and Health
Education.
- ICT
Information and Control Technology is a developing area of the
curriculum. Children have opportunities to develop a range of
skills and experience programmes linked to different curriculum
subjects.
- Humanities
This encompasses History, Geography, Religious Education as well as
Personal and Moral Education.
- Physical Education
Children cover a range of physical activities, including PE,
swimming and games (in Year 2) which are taught by specialist
teachers.
- Arts
Music, Dance, Drama, Art an Design, Poetry and Literature are all
part of the Infant curriculum.
Year 3
This is an important transitional year where the children are
encouraged to become more independent and responsible. Most of the
school day is based with their class teacher where most subjects
are taught. A great emphasis is placed on the traditional skills of
reading, writing and numeracy. Environmental Studies, which include
Science, History and Geography are topic based. There are strong
cross curricular links between these subjects and Art. The children
visit other teachers for Sport, PE and Music.
Year 4
As with Year 3, the children in Year 4 are based, for most of
their lessons, with their class teachers. Great emphasis is placed
on literacy and numeracy and there are cross curricular links with
the Humanities and Art. The Year 4 children visit specialist
teachers for Sport, Music, Science, PSE and Art.
Years 5 and 6
Each class in Years 5 and 6 has a form teacher who oversees the
pastoral care of the pupils. All lessons are taught by specialist
subject teachers. The children are 'set' in English and Mathematics
and travel around the school to different subject areas.