At Highgate we like to inspire curiosity and a love of learning in our pupils from an early age. Whether that means exploring the magic of nature through our Forest School, making new friends through co-curricular clubs or discovering the joy of reading, there are lots of exciting opportunities for children to learn about the world around them in a safe and nurturing environment.
Learning about the importance of friendship, how to care for one another and be kind, but also respect that we are all different, is an important part of learning through play. In the Pre Prep we encourage our pupils to take part in exciting sports like swimming and scooting, and to learn new hobbies such as gardening and yoga to help build on their happiness and confidence and shape their understanding of the world.
In Pre Prep, the pupils can experience the fun and excitement of performance through our drama, dance and music lessons. We put on an annual Christmas show for all parents to enjoy, and our pupils love getting into costume for their roles and learn lines and songs! Our littlest children are able to enjoy learning instruments and performing either solo or in ensembles, building confidence, creativity and teamwork skills as they go!
Exploring the science behind flowers growing in the sun, or choosing delicious new foods from our lunch menu or learning about the many different countries in our world are all ways in which we teach our pupils how to understand, in a relatable and compelling way, the rich tapestry of topics available to learn at school.
Highgate Pre-Preparatory School is for pupils aged 4-7. We have over 140 pupils, from Reception to Year 2
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“We absolutely believe that for a child to learn, they have to be happy and secure coming into school. And so for us, our central aim is that each child skips through the door with a smile on their face and feels happy in the Pre-Prep. That comes before anything else.”
Katie Giles, Principal
Highgate Pre-Prep is for pupils aged 4 – 7, and we have around 140 pupils within our Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes. From September 2021, we move to a three form entry in Reception and in the following two years we will grow into a three form entry school from Reception to Year 2.
Our Pre-Prep is based on Bishopswood Road in Highgate, in a light, airy and colourful building. We overlook the open spaces of our sports grounds and have our own playground, which was enlarged in 2016. At that time, four of our classrooms were refurbished and enlarged, creating a separate music room and learning support room. Our School medical centre is next door, with our nurse available for any queries.
Our pupils are closely supervised at all times and positive, inclusive and mutually supportive atmosphere is promoted across our Pre-Prep.
—Pre-Prep parent, 2019
‘I’ve worked at Highgate since 1987! In that time I’ve seen pupils progress through the School, go to university, start careers and have their own families join the School.‘
Highgate Pre-Prep Early Years Practitioner
Mrs Jarocki
‘I work with the Reception year group and I really appreciate the friendly environment across the School. Highgate Pre-Prep really is like being part of a lovely family.’
Highgate Pre-Prep Early Years Practitioner
Miss Demetriou
‘The pupils bound in everyday with smiles, they leave smiling – in some ways it’s a very easy job.’
Highgate Pre-Prep Deputy Principal (Pastoral)
Mr Zucker
I value that following children’s curiosity and enthusiasm along creative paths, is encouraged in all teaching at Highgate. Teaching Music and Forest School at the Pre-prep allows me and the children to explore our learning daily
Forest School and Music Pre Prep Teacher
Mrs Duggin
I believe that children deserve the best start in life given the challenges they face such as physical inactivity, lack of outdoor play opportunities, language acquisition and barriers to good mental health. Helping them develop skills to excel beyond the Sports field is profoundly rewarding
Head of Pre Prep SpEx
Mr Watts
Working at Highgate Pre-Prep, I feel lucky that I wake up every morning knowing that I will take the children on a fun packed day of exploration in their learning and leave at the end of the feeling like I’ve made a real difference
Pre Prep Teacher
Mrs Joyce
Our day begins with registration for our pupils in their classroom, with their class teacher and classmates. We have three assemblies each week, although our Reception class only attends our Friday assembly as this includes our celebration of pupil achievements and birthdays.
Although exact lessons vary by class and age group, our mornings are generally taken up with literacy, mathematics and related academic work. Pupils have a weekly library slot, visiting our Pre-Prep library, and a weekly computing lesson using our computing suite of 20 computers.
Our morning break gives pupils a chance to interact and enjoy free play in our Pre-Prep outside area.
Pupils have lunch in our nearby Dining Hall, which serves hot and cold food. We have 30 minutes for lunch and then 30 minutes for playtime, which may include taking part in any clubs, such as Pupil Council, Football Club, Chess Club, Scooting Club, Running Club or Gardening Club.
Again, exact lessons vary by class and age group but our afternoons generally revolve around project work, which is supported by relevant trips (we aim to take at least one trip per term). Other afternoon activities include sport (twice a week, plus swimming once a week from Year 1 onwards) and weekly lessons in drama and in music. All activities are taught by specialist teachers. Years 1 and 2 have Forest School once a week, using a dedicated outdoor space in our School grounds.
Home time, although some pupils stay after school for clubs on Thursday.
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