The discovery of self is especially important during the Prep years. We draw out individual talents and develop personal strengths. Responding to the encouragement and care of our staff, the girls learn how to get the best from themselves and grow intellectually and socially. Resilience and resourcefulness are essential skills we nurture and develop. Knowing how to learn will forever remain one of life’s most valuable lessons.
We know our girls well and track their progress carefully to ensure a high quality experience for each individual. Every girl has challenging, objective targets against which her development is measured. This means we can intervene quickly, positively address weaknesses and keep our girls on track, to achieve above and beyond expectation.
Notre Dame Prep School is a lively, vibrant and happy place where girls have a strong sense of place and worth. We share the same aims as the Senior School. Pupils are highly motivated, secure in their values and able to make valuable contributions to society.
Art
Art at Notre Dame is a celebration of expression. From Nursery through to Year 6 we want our pupils to rejoice in the freedom of this subject whilst feeling confident to express their individuality.
Curriculum
Welcome to Reception which is for girls age 4 – 5 years. Reception follows an enhanced version of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and each week’s activities for all girls are planned around a particular theme.
Dance & Ballet
This offers the children a great form of exercise and also teaches them discipline, co-ordination and the ability to express themselves in ways that are unique to Performing Arts.
Drama
Drama lessons are timetabled once a week from Reception through to Year 6. The lessons are curriculum linked and designed to support pupil’s knowledge of topics studied in class, giving them the opportunity to explore themes and ideas from a different angle.
Forest School & Outdoor Learning
During our Forest School sessions the children continue to cover all of the areas within our enhanced curriculum. They play outside in woodlands, take part in child led initiated activities, listen to stories, sing songs and explore.
Languages
In Early Years and KS1, this is achieved through songs and games, whilst in KS2 the lessons are more focussed on oral and written work. While the teaching in KS2 is more formal,
Library
From the very first visit for story time as a member of our nursery pupils are guided along the journey to becoming confident and enthusiastic readers and competent users of information of all kinds.
Music
Music is always an essentially practical activity and all skills, knowledge and appreciation are learned through the musical activities of performing, composing and listening.
Sport
The PE department aims to help pupils develop mentally, physically and socially as individuals, groups and teams. Through the range of activities and experiences that PE offers pupils should feel valued, happy and challenged to perform to the highest standards.
