Welcome to Prep School (age 7+): Year 3

We provide our children with the space to grow, not only as learners but also as people who will thrive in the modern world. As a school we give them the confidence to be themselves and to follow and develop their interests.

Our teaching is excellent and our teachers are skilled not only in the classroom but also in providing the care and individual attention that the children need. Class sizes are small and this allows us to get to know the children as individuals and to adapt their education accordingly.

Pupils have access to wonderful facilities, and make the most of all that is around them through an extensive co-curricular schedule, outdoor learning, and lessons using senior school facilities in science, sport, music, art, drama and at lunchtime. We are very ambitious for our pupils and seek to provide them with a wonderful foundation by which to excel in the senior school and beyond.

Home-school partnership

A committed team of staff work hard to create a caring and supportive atmosphere for the young people in our care. Home-school partnership is also highly valued, and the Prep operates an ‘open door’ policy for parents. A high-quality pastoral care structure is in place to ensure the health, safety, happiness and achievement of every child in the school. Pupils and their families quickly get to know each other and establish friendships that will last throughout their time at Chigwell and beyond.

Seamless transition

When it is time for children to move on to the Senior School, the transition is planned seamlessly to ensure that children’s needs are known and that they continue to be met in the best way possible.

Values

In the Prep, we believe that joy should sit at the centre of a great education. That’s why we combine learning with a sense of discovery, sparking curiosity and encouraging our pupils to explore ideas more deeply, spot connections and broaden their perspectives.

Our aim is to nurture rounded young people who achieve highly in the classroom while also embracing sport, the arts, music and the outdoors with enthusiasm. Throughout their time with us, your child will be supported to stretch themselves, step beyond what feels familiar, and stay determined even when challenges arise.

We equip our students for futures that will call upon integrity, resilience, compassion, creativity and leadership. This is woven into our values, our assemblies and form times, as well as our personal, social, health and economic education. With a strong pastoral framework, we also emphasise how crucial mental and physical wellbeing are to a fulfilled life.

Alongside this, we uphold a positively framed behaviour policy. We champion personal accountability, the ability to learn from mistakes, and restorative approaches to resolving issues.

Alongside our whole school values, the Prep School has its own values of ‘Joy, Courage, Curiosity, Respect and Kindness’ that tie seamlessly into those celebrated by the whole school. These values are worded accordingly and are the highest level of award in our Prep School for pupils to be recognised for. Pupils are recognised discreetly for demonstrating such vital behaviours around school, that in turn nurtures intrinsic motivation and a strong sense of doing something for the right reason, rather than solely for reward. Our values are at the heart of our school culture and encompass everything we do at the Prep School.

Pastoral Support

Pastorally, the children are supported by the form tutors, Heads of year, Mrs Tilbrook our DSL (for Years 3 - 6), Mr Gareth Thomas and myself and we make sure that not only their physical health but also their mental health is a priority. We expect our children to make mistakes and learning from them is an essential part of their growth.

We are proud of what we achieve together here and would love to show you around. So please contact us to ask any questions or arrange a tour.

Mrs Evelyn Gibbs B.A(Hons), P.G.C.E, N.P.Q.H
Head of Prep School