Pre-Prep pastoral care
Pupil wellbeing is at the heart of all our thinking and teaching
Our pupils
Within our Pre-Prep, we aim to foster a reflective and supportive community, encouraging an awareness of those around us.
When children join in Reception, we take great care to help them settle and adapt to their new environment. As the primary contact for pupils and parents, class teachers get to know the children’s personalities, interests and needs to offer a personalised response. Further support is provided by the Deputy Principal (Pastoral) and a Play/Art Therapist. Our Learning Support team attends to children’s individual learning needs.
It's extremely comforting to know that mental wellbeing is given so much importance. Rikin and Deeps, Pre Prep parents, 2022
Our children have emerged happy, confident and with a clear sense of their own identity. Pre Prep parent, 2021
Children are encouraged to understand and manage their emotions and sensory needs, embracing strategies to self-regulate.
Positive behaviour is encouraged through our PSHE/PSED programme, visiting speakers, school values and responsive everyday conversations with the children. We often run friendship groups to help children strengthen their relationship and co-operation skills.
Highgate’s restorative justice approach works to conduct ‘warm conversations’ for behaviour management, help children to regulate emotions and problem solve.
Pupils play an active role in their community, through the School Council and Eco Council, working to improve our school with ideas from their classmates. There are opportunities to connect with the local community through food bank drives, sponsored walks and partnership with a nearby care home.
Mindfulness is taught throughout the Pre-Prep on a regular basis. We also schedule activities to mark Mental Health Week and Harmony Week, amongst others, to help the children focus on self-awareness, wellbeing and care for others.
We retain very close links with our Junior School, to which most pupils transfer at age 7, thus providing a secure continuity of education.
Our parents
“Children are encouraged to be sensitive to each other’s needs and behaviours, promoting a culture of respect from an early age.“
ISI Inspection Report 2024
We strive to foster an authentic partnership with our parents/carers; working together to support the academic and emotional growth of the young people in our care.
The progress of our Pre-Prep pupils is continuously monitored by our teachers. Full reports are sent to parents/carers at regular intervals, as a formal record of progress. Reports are also made available on our parent portal. In addition, we hold a termly parents consultation meeting, where all staff are present.