OUR PREP SCHOOL

Our educational philosophy lays strong foundations which we build upon as children move up through the school. The Prep School starts at Year 3 and pupils move on to Senior School at the end of Year 8.  We encourage children to be curious, whilst exploring and developing their own personalities. We witness them becoming confident and increasingly independent in their own time, at their own pace, and we form strong partnerships with parents to encourage routines and consistency between home and school.

Our teachers are enthusiastic experts in their subjects, passionate about engaging our pupils in their areas of expertise. Specialist teaching begins in Nursery, introducing our pupils to a wide range of interesting and varied areas of learning. As pupils advance through the school, they learn the traditional subjects of English, maths, history, geography, science, religious studies and PSHEE, as well as benefiting from specialist lessons in music, Mandarin, Spanish, art, PE, games, swimming, drama and design and technology.


 

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Pupils begin their Prep School journey in the Lower School, which comprises Years 3 and 4. Located within the main school building, the Lower School enjoys its own dedicated space, featuring four bright, airy classrooms with views over the beautiful school grounds, as well as its own library.

Each class is led by a dedicated class teacher who provides daily support and guidance, helping to create a nurturing and structured learning environment. While pupils benefit from the familiarity of their own classroom, they also begin to explore more specialist areas of the school for subjects such as art, science, and sport, gradually preparing them for movement between lessons in Year 5. 

The Lower School offers a natural and supportive bridge from the environment of Pre-Prep, encouraging pupils to develop greater independence, responsibility, and confidence. This carefully structured transition prepares them well for the next step in their journey as they move into Middle School in Year 5.

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Our Middle School encompasses Years 5 and 6, a formative stage where pupils benefit from the close guidance of their dedicated Form Tutor. As they transition into Year 5, pupils are encouraged to develop greater independence, moving around the school for subject-specific lessons.

Specialist teachers deliver all subjects, and the curriculum is enriched with targeted lessons in verbal and non-verbal reasoning, to ensure pupils are fully prepared for senior school pre-testing, typically undertaken in Year 6.

Throughout their time in Middle School, pupils are supported by their Form Tutors who play a key role in nurturing confidence, fostering responsibility, and developing leadership skills.

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Years 7 and 8 are a crucial stage of a child’s development, not only personally and socially but also academically. Pupils need a challenging and creative curriculum with a clear goal at the end to give them focus and motivation to work to the best of their ability.

Our three-form entry in Years 7 and 8, including an academic scholarship set, ensures smaller class sizes, allowing for more personalised learning. Pupils remain in a familiar environment with teachers who know them well, providing a nurturing space where children can still be children.  Additionally, our Year 8 pupils benefit from leadership opportunities at the top of the school, helping them develop a strong sense of responsibility. This experience fosters empathy, kindness, and a caring nature, shaping them into well-rounded individuals as they move on to Senior School. 

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The best way to experience what life is like at Brighton College Prep Handcross is to join us at an Open Morning, where you will have the chance to talk to pupils and teachers about what makes our school such a special place, and to answer any questions you might have.

We also offer Mini Owls Toddler Club for families interested in joining our Nursery or Reception classes. Sessions are held weekly in our Nursery during term time and provide the ideal opportunity for parents and children to explore our school. Please email registrar@handxpark.com if you are interested in joining.