Preps

The Prep Montessori classroom provides learning oppotunities for mixed-aged groups, in this instance five to seven years. This vertical grouping is essential as it promotes socialisation. The emphasis is on children learning spontaneously by independently selecting activities appropiate for their learning from open shelves. Some of the activities will be done alone and others with peers or teachers. The atmosphere within the classroom is one of harmony and industry.  

Our Prep class is lead by our Headteacher Alison Tully, BSC, who holds a AMI Montessori Teaching Diploma. She is ably assisted by Deborah Hall, also a qualified Montessori teacher.  

Most of our morning work is centred on the core subjects of numeracy, literacy and science. For these subjects we use the Montessori methods, which encourages the children to enjoy learning while using the specifically designed materials at their own pace. Many of the materials are self-correcting and the children gain great satisfaction from completing tasks independently. Most of the children are at different levels and help each other accordingly. The children are not expected to sit silently and are mostly encouraged to choose their own activities. Therefore there is often a busy hum of activity to be heard in the room! We monitor each child’s progress as an individual and each child is introduced to new work, as and when they are ready for it. In order to keep in line with the National Curriculum, workbooks are also used.

 

Cultural work and Science play a very important part in our curriculum. We study many of the different continents and countries, investigating the people, animals, history, and beliefs. These projects are made more interesting for the children through the use of art, craft, cookery, and drama.  The children are encouraged to explore the world around them and much of the emphasis in Science and Environmental Studies is to introduce the children to hands on experimenting, to encourage questioning and observation.  Although there are different age groups in the prep class, all the children work together on the various projects, each child working at their own level. The children are encouraged to bring in any information or items relevant to the projects.

 

Our Art curriculum is delivered by Guna Kronberga. The children explore different materials and colours. As well as creating masterpieces linked to various cultural projects, the children are introduced to the History of Art and various Artists.