Our curriculum is built on the foundation of small class sizes, enabling our dedicated teachers to deeply understand each pupil. This approach allows us to provide individualised attention, fostering both support and extension of skills to help every child achieve their personal best. We empower pupils to maximise their potential through a focus on personal achievement, creating confident, capable learners ready to thrive.
The Prep Curriculum
Early Years:
A Playful Foundation
The EYFS curriculum is structured around seven key areas of learning, with a strong focus on the three prime areas. Communication and language development is at the heart of our approach, enabling children to express themselves clearly, understand others, and confidently engage in conversations by asking and answering questions. Physical development is also a crucial aspect, as we encourage children to develop their coordination, movement, and fine motor skills while also learning about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including physical activity and nutritious eating habits. Additionally, personal, social, and emotional development helps children build positive relationships, work cooperatively, and develop self-confidence and resilience.
Beyond these prime areas, our curriculum also includes four specific areas of learning. Literacy introduces children to early reading and writing skills through phonics, storytelling, and mark-making activities. Mathematics encourages children to explore numbers, patterns, and problem-solving in a practical and engaging way. Understanding the world allows children to develop curiosity about their surroundings, including learning about nature, communities, and technology. Finally, expressive arts and design nurtures creativity through music, role-play, painting, and imaginative activities.
Forrest School activities provide young children in the EYFS with hands-on learning experiences in a natural environment. We are lucky to have three qualified forest school teachers who plan activities that promote creativity, independence, confidence, and physical development while fostering a deep connection with nature.
Years 1 & 2:
Exploring The World
In Years 1 and 2, we foster a love of learning in a nurturing and stimulating environment where children develop independence and confidence. Under the care and supervision of our experienced class teachers, pupils are encouraged to embrace new challenges, supported by dedicated staff who ensure every child progresses at their own pace. In addition, our excellent facilities, including a sports hall and swimming pool, enhance the children’s learning experience and physical development.
Our curriculum is explored through engaging, topic-based learning, allowing for some areas to be child-led and fostering curiosity and creativity. Structured phonics and maths schemes provide tailored support, allowing for both intervention and extension, ensuring that all pupils reach their full potential. Strong links with parents are at the heart of our approach, with open classroom afternoons, concerts, and regular communication providing valuable opportunities for collaboration between home and school. With a focus on curiosity, resilience, and personal growth, Years 1 and 2 lay the essential foundations for future success in education and beyond.
Years 3 & 4:
Building Expertise
During Years 3 and 4, our pupils experience a significantly expanded and enriching curriculum, benefiting from specialist teaching in French, Computing, Art, and, from Year 4, Food Technology, complementing their ongoing expert tuition in Music and PE.
These subjects are delivered by passionate, dedicated specialists whose enthusiasm for their field truly ignites our pupils’ interest and significantly deepens their subject-specific knowledge and skills. A strong emphasis is placed on developing language proficiency, not only in French but across all communication and fostering creative thinking, which enhances learning across every facet of the curriculum.
Pupils are regularly encouraged to share their work and achievements through engaging assemblies, expressive poetry performances and confident reading aloud sessions, all of which are instrumental in building self-assurance and public speaking abilities. Furthermore, foundational mathematical reasoning and analytical skills are formally introduced, laying a robust groundwork for more advanced future learning. Alongside these academic developments, competitive sports offer valuable opportunities for all pupils to experience teamwork and proudly represent their school, fostering a sense of pride and sportsmanship.
Years 5 & 6:
Preparing For The Future
Years 5 and 6 mark a pivotal stage, offering a comprehensive and deeply enriching curriculum designed to thoroughly prepare pupils for their next educational steps. Subjects include Art, Drama, Computing, English, Food Technology, French, Geography, History, Maths, Music, PE, Religious Education, Science and Spanish, ensuring a broad and balanced education.
A dedicated weekly PSHE lesson continues to provide exceptional pastoral education, actively supporting pupils’ emotional intelligence and social growth during these formative years. To effectively bridge the gap to Senior School, pupils transition to a more formal timetabled structure. They benefit from the guidance of a dedicated form tutor and become accustomed to moving between lessons, taught by subject specialist teachers who are experts in their respective fields.
Our commitment to small class sizes remains paramount, allowing for highly tailored support and appropriate academic extension. This is often facilitated through class setting, a responsive approach that enables every pupil to progress confidently at their own pace and genuinely reach their full, individual potential, equipped and eager for future challenges.
Come and See Us
We warmly invite you to visit Plymouth College Prep School to experience our nurturing environment firsthand. To arrange a visit, please contact our admissions team using the email address or phone number below. Alternatively, you can click the “Arrange a Visit” button to fill out your details and a member of our team will get in touch as soon as possible to arrange a visit.
Email: admissions@plymouthcollege.com
Telephone: 01752 505120
We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our community.
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