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 daughter throughout her primary school years to fulfil her 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 daughter’s character development these values will enable her 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 daughter will be encouraged to be reflective of her learning and to discover her own learning preferences. Constructive marking, feedback and assessment, will support your daughter to self-reflect and achieve.

Pre-Prep

In Years 1 and 2 the girls 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 girls have a form teacher but will be taught by a wider range of specialist subject teachers in specialist teaching rooms.

Girls in Years 3 to 5 are provided with a school iPad to support their learning at home and in school. Girls 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. Girls also take part in our weekly bespoke CORI programme providing an opportunity to develop skills to take beyond the classroom.