Teaching and Learning
Teaching and Learning
Culford Prep aims to give our pupils a memorable education throughout which they can thrive and shine. The Prep School offers a vibrant, challenging and supportive approach to teaching and learning whereby pupils are encouraged and guided as individuals.
Lower Prep (Years 3, 4 and 5)
We offer an academic curriculum, a very high quality of teaching and plenty of creative opportunities. In the three years of the Lower Prep, pupils are in one of two mixed ability classes. Class sizes are deliberately small so that pupils' progress can be carefully monitored. About half of your child's lessons will be with the class teacher, but there will be specialist teaching for science, French, art and design technology from the start. The children have access to music and sports facilities at Culford Senior School. In the first year your child will be set according to ability for English and mathematics. The lower sets are small so that individual attention to literacy and numeracy skills can be given. From the third year we set for French, too.
Upper Prep (Years 6, 7 and 8)
In Upper Prep, there are three forms in each year group. Classes are small compared to those in maintained schools at this age. All teaching is carried out by subject specialists and there is some streaming to enable us to support the less able and to stretch the most gifted pupils.
Individual pupils' progress is monitored closely and pupils take internal examinations at the end of the autumn and summer terms. Subject teachers and form tutors work closely together so that all pupils are stretched and supported. We seek to build a strong partnership between pupils, parents and teachers. Full written reports are provided at the end of each term and parents are encouraged to attend two Parents' Meetings every year to discuss children’s progress with individual staff.
All pupils are thoroughly prepared for progression to Culford Senior School at 13+ and there is a high level of liaison between the two schools to ensure that the transition is seamless. Children are prepared rigorously for Common Entrance Examinations, which they sit in the Summer Term of Upper Third (Year 8). They then participate in a dynamic and varied post-Common Entrance Programme which broadens their education and prepares them for senior school life and learning.