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The Independent Schools' world is littered
with acronyms, anomalies and eccentricities. One term
parents often get very confused about is "prep". What does
it mean in terms of type of schooling and for what age
groups? What are the differences between prep schools in the
maintained sector also catering for younger children?
In today's prep the best teaching is set against a
background of traditional values supported by new
technologies. While at prep school children follow a strong
academic tradition and learn how to know themselves: what
they are good at, where their natural talents lie and where
they have to try harder. In fact they learn to do their best
at everything they do in a caring and supportive
environment. They learn to shine.
The name Prep, or Preparatory, School means just that; a
school that prepares children for their senior school career.
In days long gone prep schools were set up to prepare young
boys for public school. The boys would start school at the
age of seven or eight and stay there until they were
thirteen, being taught the academic subjects, social codes
and sports expected at the major public schools.
Today's prep schools still prepare pupils for senior schools
but now they are vibrant, lively places where each and every
child, boy or girl, grows emotionally, socially and
academically ready to meet the challenges of the future.
Prep schools set out to give children a secure yet
independent childhood where they are free to learn and take
responsible decisions about what they want to achieve and
about their behaviour. At the heart of this is a broad and
rich curriculum. Children have a sound and thorough
education in literacy and numeracy. All the subjects of the
National Curriculum are taught along with a modern foreign
language (usually French) and in some schools, classics too.
Subjects are taught by specialist teachers rather than
general class teachers, which means that children can
usually go further than they would in a primary school.
Class sizes are smaller, which allows for good standards of
behaviour where children want to learn, and where they are
encouraged to be responsible for, and take pride in, their
own work.
Prep schools offer a broad curriculum and see the
opportunities to take part in activities such as drama and
public speaking as a means of allowing children to develop
well mannered, quiet self assurance and confidence. Health
and well being has always been at the heart of the prep
school with good food and excercise as part of the every day
routine.Sport in all its forms is encouraged and there is
strong tradition of sporting success in all prep schools.
Indeed much of Britains' sporting success comes out of
Independent Schools. Similarly music is an important part of
the curriculum, with most children taking up an instrument
early in the prep school. Many achieve very high standards
and join local and national orchestras. Schools also offer a
rich diet of after school activities such as tennis, music
lessons, gymnastics, drama, craft, dance, etc. Prep school
children can reach the highest possible academic standards
and grow into rounded individuals, ready to learn and make
the most of themselves. |
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