High quality education and care from Early Years to Year 6
Staff, pupils and parents were delighted to receive the news that King Edward’s School has been judged as ‘outstanding’ in a recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
The Junior and Pre-Prep Independent Schools Inspection report highlights the very high quality of education and care provided by both Schools from Early Years through to Year 6.
Martin Boden, Headmaster of King Edward’s School said “It is a pleasure to report that all aspects of the educational provision in the Junior and Pre-Prep Schools were judged to be in the top two categories, with particular praise given to pupils’ personal development, the quality of pastoral care, the schools’ links with parents and the community and the many examples of excellence in teaching and learning.
The inspectors’ conclusions highlight the strengths of the curriculum and of the extra-curricular programme, whilst also praising the thorough preparation received by children at all ages in readiness for the next stage of their education. Pupils emerge as confident and independent learners supported by a framework of excellent pastoral care and a strong sense of community. As Headmaster of King Edward’s School, I am, of course, delighted that the report draws attention to the many successful and developing links between the three sections of the School, as well as highlighting the strengths of the leadership of Jayne Gilbert, Head of King Edward’s Pre-Prep and Greg Taylor, Headmaster of King Edward’s Junior School.
King Edward’s School is one of the country’s finest independent co-educational day schools providing an ‘outstanding’ education for children aged from three to eighteen.
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Click to download the attached file(s):
- King_Edward_s_Junior_and_Pre-Prep_Independent_Schools__Inspection_Report_2.pdf
Outstanding Ofsted
Children and staff at King Edward's Pre-Prep are celebrating after their Nursery was awarded an ‘outstanding’ (of exceptionally high standard) grade in the recent Ofsted inspection.
Newly appointed Head of King Edward’s Pre-Prep and Nursery, Miss Jayne Gilbert said:
“The report reflects the hard work and dedication of our Nursery teacher and Deputy Head, Mrs Bright and the teaching assistants in the Early Years Foundation Stage. I feel very fortunate to be leading a school with exceptionally high standards. The strength of King Edward’s is the focus we have on nurturing the ‘whole child’, we continually strive to improve all areas of our provision.”
The Ofsted inspection commented that “Children make excellent progress in all areas of learning as staff have a comprehensive knowledge of the Foundation Stage…and successfully strive to develop the ‘whole child’ and in order to achieve this understand each child as an individual”
The quality of the teaching and learning, the partnership between parents and carers and the organisation was deemed to be exceptionally high.
Nursery teacher and Deputy Head, Mrs Debbie Bright was particularly pleased that the inspectors had recognised the “extensive range of attractively displayed resources, covering all areas of learning, which all contribute to children’s quality education” because she felt:
“One of our particular strengths is the excellent facilities the Nursery provides for children’s learning. The layout of the Nursery is designed to be free-flowing with special areas such as the ‘make believe area’, the ‘tactile discovery room’ and ‘the communication and language development area’ which are all interconnected to give children easy access to a whole range of learning and play experiences. The extensive gardens and playground which surround the Nursery are also a wonderful resource which are used constantly to enhance the learning of the children”
The children’s education is also enhanced by a wide range of visitors such as police officers, postalworkers, fire fighters, animal experts, musicians, authors etc and by outside visits and trips to a variety of locations which provide excellent first hand learning opportunities for the children. A varied programme of in-school activities by experts ensure that children are introduced to a variety of musical instruments and dance.
Academic
Children at the Pre-Prep enjoy a broad and diverse curriculum. Children may join King Edward's Pre-Prep from age 3 in our Nursery and move up at age 4 to reception classes.
The early years follow a Foundation Curriculum. In Years 1 and 2 children follow an broadly the Key Stage 1 National Curriculum which is enhanced through the provision of subject specialist teaching in Art, Music, French, ICT, Sport, Games and Swimming. The key subjects are brought together in project based topics focusing on the development of key skills and encouraging learning through linking the topices to the individual interests of each child. Children learn about cultures and faiths from around the world.
Small classes ensure that teachers are able to encourage each individual child to fulfil their potential.
The curriculum is continually enriched by visits from artists, musicians, and experts in many different fields who share their knowledge with the children. Children regularly enjoy outside visits to a variety of locations; museums and art galleries, arboretums, theatres, places of worship to extend both their knowledge and understanding of the world. Regular visits to the
Children in Year 2 take part in a residential visit to an activity centre in the summer term to enjoy team games and exercises. The children very much enjoy the challenge of this trip and the opportunity to stay away overnight with their school friends. It is an important part of developing the children's independence in a new but safe environment.
The transition to King Edward’s
Being the oldest pupils at the Pre-Prep is a benefit to the Year 2 children. They enjoy the responsibility of looking after the younger members of the School and being looked up to as leaders within the Pre-Prep community.
The Foundation Stage
The Foundation Stage provides a secure, friendly and stimulating environment in which children develop independence and skills at their own pace. Learning is accessed through the provision of a wide range of investigative opportunities and experiences using both the indoor and outdoor environment.
In the Foundation Stage we use the stepping stones and Early Learning Goals laid out in the Foundation Stage Document to plan our children's learning. We implement these learning objectives through termly topics.
The Foundation Stage Document is divided into six area:
1. Personal, Social and Emotional Development
2. Language, Literacy and Communication
3. Mathematical Development
4. Knowledge and Understanding of the World
5. Creative Development
6. Physical Development
The Nursery
In our Bath Nursery we provide an environment that enables children to explore and challenge their understanding of the world they live in through a mixture of targeted and free play activities.
The Nursery Day
Children may stay all day or attend separate morning or afternoon sessions. The morning session begins at 8.50am and ends at 11.45am. The afternoon session begins at 12.45pm and ends at 3.15pm. Lunches are provided for Nursery children in the dining room and parents may add lunch to either a morning or afternoon session.
The Reception Class
The Reception Class aims to build upon and develop the teaching and learning programme established in the Nursery. The diverse needs of the children will continue to be addressed through the Early Learning Goals of the Foundation Stage Curriculum. There will then be a gradual transition of focus to the National Curriculum, preparing children for the challenges and experiences of Year 1.
Key Stage 1 Curriculum - Years 1 & 2
The curriculum for Years 1 & 2 is based on three cross-curricular topics throughout the academic year. The topics are:
Year 1
Famous People
Toys
Our Local Area
Year 2
Clothing
Buildings
Planet Earth
All children are taught English, Maths, Science, PE, Music and IT discretely with Geography, History, Art & CDT being taught through topics.
English
We aim to develop children's ability to communicate effectively in speech & writing and to develop their understanding of spoken and written language, so that they become enthusiastic and responsive speakers, listeners and readers.
Mathematics
A balance is created between activities which develop knowledge, skills and understanding, and those which develop the ability to tackle practical problems. We encourage children to use mental arithmetic and to become confident in using and applying mathematics to everyday situations and investigational work.
Science
Our starting point for Science is to build on children's natural curiosity by developing the ideas they have about the world around them. We encourage children to ask questions and to suggest ideas which can be investigated. We aim to relate children's understanding of science to their everday lives.
Design Technology
Design Technology is essentially a practical activity concerned with developing children's ability to operate creatively, effectively and confidently in the man-made world. We aim to provide opportunities for children to combine designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to design and make products using a variety of tools confidently and safely.
History
Children are introduced to history through personal experience, artefacts and stories. We aim to develop knowledge of chronology within which children can organise their understanding of the past and develop a sense of identity. Children begin to practise the skills of looking at evidence using a wide range of both primary and secondary sources.
Geography
We aim to stimulate children's interest in their surroundings. We want to develop an informed concern for the environment, to enhance the children's sense of responsibility for the care of the Earth and its people.
ICT
At KS1 we aim to build on children's earlier IT experiences. We aim to develop IT capability by teaching skills in using hardware and software. We support and encourage the children to apply their IT capability and learning in other areas. Through our IT lessons and use of ICT resources in the class, the children learn to achieve with confidence and purpose.
Art & Design
Children are encouraged to develop perceptual skills which will enable them to enjoy and to respond to their visual and tactile world. They explore and use two and three dimensional mediums and are encouraged to review and modify their work as it progresses. We develop children's skills in order to enable them to express their ideas, feelings and emotions.
Music
Music is developed through the exploration of the musical elements of pitch, duration, dynamics, timbre and texture. Children are given opportunities to perform, learn songs, compose and listen to music from different cultures. The children regularly take part in class assemblies and big productions to boost their confidence and to bring music to other areas of the curriculum.
Physical Education
Physical Education makes a unique contribution to a child's education as it is the only area of the curriculum which is concerned with the development of gross motor skills and learning through movement. We encourage children to experience a variety of physical activities which will enable them to recognise and value the benefits of participation while at school and throughout life. Children learn to work as individuals, in pairs and as members of a group in games activities, gymnastics, dance and swimming.
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have swimming lessons each week at the 25 metre University of Bath swimming pool with qualified instructors and the cost of lessons is included in the fees.
Religious Education
Religious Education has a fundamental part to play in promoting the spiritual, moral, cultural and social development of children. Through RE and collective acts of worship, children are introduced to a wide variety of beliefs. We aim to develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other major religious traditions represented in contemporary
PHSE
Through PSHE, children learn to appreciate that they are part of a world-wide community. We want to help them to realise that each individual has a responsiblility to care for the world around them.
Art
Art is a real strength of the Pre-Prep. The children’s artwork can be found throughout the School both within the classrooms and outside in the beautiful gardens and playground which surround the School.
Children are taught by a specialist art teacher and encouraged to try a number of different techniques. Every term pupils benefit from visits from artists who share their passion for art and help the children learn new skills. The children’s experience of art is enriched by regular visits to museums and art galleries.
Music
Music is enjoyed by children at all levels of the Pre-Prep and is fully integrated into the curriculum. Pupils follow a course of music instruction with a specialist Music Teacher, Director of Music Mrs Edward’s, who also teaches music at King Edward’s
Children benefit from the many opportunities to play music at the Pre-Prep including during assemblies, in-front of an invited audience at the Christmas and Summer drama productions, at the Christingle Service at
The links with King Edward’s School result in many musical performances from visiting musicians to the School. The children look forward to hearing the Senior School Orchestra and the Junior School Choir and Brass Band. Children also visit the
Sport
Encouraging children to be active and enjoy sports is an important focus at the Pre-Prep. Children enjoy a range of physical activities in the Sports Hall and games lessons every week with a specialist PE Teacher. Children in years 1 and 2 also receive swimming lessons at
Sport activities are also encouraged as a social activity; both children and parents have enjoyed getting together for a number of recreational events including a Football Tournament, and it is hoped to arrange other opportunities to enjoy sport together as a community in future.
In addition there are numerous sports clubs for the children to choose from as part of the Activities Programme each term including tennis, judo and football, please note sporting activities vary with each season.
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Drama
Pupils take part in a number of dramatical productions throughout the year. There is an annual Christmas and Summer production which combines both drama and music.
All the children from Nursery upwards take part encouraging their self-confidence and theatre skills. The productions take place in-front of an audience of parents and invited guests.
Children can extend their drama, mime and improvisation skills further by joining the weekly Drama club, part of the Activities Programme.
Previous Drama Productions
Star of Wonder
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The March of the Minibeasts
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Cultures from around the world - Japanese Girls' Day
Children at the Pre-Prep enjoyed a visit from Mr and Mrs Seiki, parents of Aoi, who came to share the traditions of Japanese Girls’ Day.
At the end of February and throughout March the Japanese celebrate Girls’ day. When a girl is born she is given a set of dolls by her maternal grandparents. The dolls stay with the girl throughout her life and are displayed in her sitting room during the Festival. The dolls represent the Emperor, Empress, attendants and musicians in traditional court dress. Formerly, people believed the dolls possessed the power to contain bad spirits.
It was wonderful for the children to learn so much about the Festival from Mr and Mrs Seiki and to see their set of very precious dolls which they brought with them. Mrs Seiki went round all the Year groups making paper dolls with the children; she also helped Mrs Mortimer, Mrs Johnson and Mrs Sobers prepare a very special Japanese lunch for everyone.
