Pre-Preparatory Department
The department was founded in 1987, and is located in
a secure, purpose built, well-equipped facility.
The department consists of Nursery, Reception, Year 1
and Year 2. The department is lead by a full time
Departmental head. There are eight full time teachers,
and numerous classroom assistants.
Class sizes are small and each has a well-qualified
and experienced classroom teacher supported by classroom
assistants.
In addition to the facilities of the pre-preparatory
department, children benefit from access to the
impressive preparatory school and attractive rural
estate.
Nursery
Girls and Boys join our Nursery aged 3 and progress
through the pre-prep department into the prep school at
the end of Y2 (6+). The following entry criteria are
used:
- Date registration and confirmation of entry.
- Siblings priority
- A balance between boys and girls.
Every child attends a minimum of three sessions per
week (which guarantees continuity for all of the nursery
children, teaching staff and parents), though many
children attend on a full time basis.
Sessions run from 8:45am – 11.45am and 12.45 –
3.30pm. Parents provide a packed lunch for their
children if they are staying all day.
Nursery Funding
Children who attend the Nursery are eligible for
funding; however, the criteria for the various local
authorities may differ. The Bursar’s department is able
to notify parents on eligibility, once we have
instructions from the local authority in which you live.
At the end of the nursery year the children are
divided into two class groups for entry to Reception,
using the following criteria:
- An equal spread of ages.
- A balance of boys and girls.
- A mix academic ability based on the assessments
carried out in the nursery throughout the year.
- A mix socially based on assessment carried out
in the nursery throughout the year. In particular
taking into account the relationships that have
developed between the children in the nursery.
Age 4+ Reception
Reception is the first full time year of education at
Amesbury. There are two mixed ability classes with a mix
of boys and girls in each. Each Reception class has a
qualified teacher and a full-time Classroom Assistant.
The class teacher is responsible for implementing the
curriculum, however specialist teaching takes place in
the following subjects: Drama and Dance, Music, Physical
Education.
On entry to the reception class pupils undertake the
Durham University PIPS (Performance Indicators in
Primary Schools) Baseline Assessment test, and the PIPS
End of Year Assessment.
The classes normally transfer from Reception to Year
1 unchanged, however we do review the class mix, and
should assessment data dictate the classes are altered
accordingly.
Ages 5-7 Years 1 and 2
The two parallel classes are each taught by
well-qualified, experienced classroom teachers,
supported by some classroom assistance, and specialists
in Dance and Drama, Music and Physical Education, Music.
Even at this early stage boys and girls become
involved in the House Competition.
Children in Reception-Y2 have a hot lunch, cooked on
site, in the school-dining hall, and served on a ‘family
service’ basis by form teachers.
The school day starts at 8.45am and finishes at
3.30pm. There are a series of after-school clubs and
activities including Tennis, Chess, Judo, Dance,
Speech/Drama, and individual music lessons.
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