Home > Prep Department > Academic Approach
Explore More
Prep Department

Our Academic Approach

The academic approach to our Prep curriculum is vibrant, aspirational and inclusive. Our highly experienced and dedicated Prep teachers will work with your child throughout their primary school years to fulfil their academic potential. Throughout our curriculum we embed our SMS character strengths of teamwork, ambition, kindness, enthusiasm, curiosity, adventure, resilience and excellence. As well as supporting your child’s character development these values will enable them to become independent and inquisitive with a life long love for learning.

As an independent school, whilst following the National Curriculum guidelines, we have the freedom to build an exciting and innovative curriculum that challenges and engages our pupils. It is a curriculum designed to develop higher-order thinking, problem-solving and smart research. Your child will be encouraged to be reflective of their learning and to discover their own learning preferences. Constructive marking, feedback and assessment, will support your child to self-reflect and achieve.

Pre-Prep

In Years 1 and 2 the pupils are mainly taught by their form teacher but will also see a range of specialist teachers for subjects such as: PE, music, French and CORI.

 

Prep

In Years 3 to 6 pupils have a form teacher but will be taught by a wider range of specialist subject teachers in specialist teaching rooms.

Students in Years 3 to 5 are provided with a school iPad to support their learning at home and in school. Pupils in Year 6 use a laptop in preparation for Senior School.

Staff work closely with parents to ensure there is consistent communication between home and school. A number of parent events including information evenings, pop-ins to lessons and seminars are organised throughout the year to involve parents in their daughter’s learning journey.

Our academic curriculum is supported by a wide range of co-curricular activities which will stretch, challenge and support your daughter to discover her passions and interests. Relevant trips, speakers, and engaging workshops complement lessons throughout the school year bringing each subject to life. Pupils also take part in our weekly bespoke CORI programme providing an opportunity to develop skills to take beyond the classroom.

Explore further

CORI Programme Senior House Visit Us