Upper Prep
Our Upper Prep is where the challenge of a varied and inspiring curriculum guides our learners to become more independent and prepares them for their next steps in education.
We passionately believe in the importance of a broad range of subjects, taught by talented and enthusiastic teachers. The Upper Prep is where the children’s joy of learning and pride in their many achievements really comes to the fore, as we support, encourage, and thoroughly prepare them for the step up to senior school, including our own senior school, King Edward VI, Southampton.
Children in the Upper Prep benefit from the constant support of a form tutor, who is responsible for all their pastoral needs. We understand that a child’s happiness and security are fundamental to their learning, and we offer the nurture and care needed to ensure every child thrives. Small form groups allow tutors to establish close relationships with their tutees, providing constant support to both children and parents, who are welcomed as part of the KES Prep family with our open door policy.
Here at KES Prep, every subject is valued, and brings its own range of skills, challenges and excitement. In the Upper Prep, we ensure that we provide the academic excellence and extension required to inspire our students to become curious, self-motivated, life long learners. Alongside their form teacher, specialist teachers mean children are taught by passionate, knowledgeable staff who ensure every child is challenged at their own level within a bespoke curriculum.
Our grounds and resources not only look stunning, but they also provide a wealth of learning opportunities. From our extensive playing fields, including off-site at Wellington Sports Ground, where children are taught by experienced games staff, to our woodland, pond and Forest School sites where children learn to collaborate, lead, communicate and enjoy the benefits of nature. With a well-equipped Art, Craft and Design Studio, a designated Science and Engineering Lab, Performing Arts Centre and purpose built Computing Suite, to name just some of our facilities, our children have exciting specialist resources at their fingertips.
Our extra-curricular activities are a real strength at our independent prep school in Hampshire. Upper Prep children can enjoy a wide variety of clubs every evening, from our own KES Prep Civic Award - a perfect introduction for those considering the Duke of Edinburgh Award - to Sports Clubs, Performing Arts, and our Outdoor Adventure Club, ensuring every pupil has the opportunity to explore their interests and develop new skills.
Children can sign up for clubs each day, or are welcome to stay for KES Club, which is a chance to complete homework in a quiet environment with a teacher to support them. Peripatetic Music and Speech and Drama lessons are also available for those children who play an instrument or enjoy taking to the stage.
Residentials, France in Year 6, are offered as part of our school Intrepidus Week in the summer, providing a range of opportunities to children across the Upper Prep, and the chance to enjoy an adventure with their friends before the year ends.
Mathematics
Mathematics in our Upper Prep builds upon the strong foundations secured in the Lower Prep, where our pupils become increasingly independent and efficient in their calculations across all four operations, and with fractions, able to apply these methods readily to new and more complex problems, in a wide range of contexts. Pupils explore and develop a solid understanding and appreciation of algebraic representations and techniques, and learn the value and power of algebra and how it can be used to solve endless mathematical problems.
They learn about the order of operations, the rules of directed number, and consolidate their understanding of fractions, decimals and percentages and the relationships between these. Pupils continue to discover and secure new and more advanced concepts and skills within all aspects of mathematics, continually building upon previous knowledge and being extended further, through a curriculum that encourages deeper leaning and understanding and 'mastery' of Mathematics. Discussion, enquiry, reasoning and problem solving are fostered and developed, encouraging all pupils to become independent and capable solvers, instilling curiosity, creativity and resilience.
We prepare pupils for senior school entrance examinations, through revision and familiarisation of practice papers, providing academic rigour and challenge for our pupils, to think, perform and grow to a higher level of achievement. Enrichment is provided through a range of opportunities to take part in Mathematical competitions and challenges, stretching our young minds even further.
English
Our English curriculum is taught through a clear and systemic approach which is brought to life through exciting and engaging literature and immersive experience days. All English teaching staff are experts, through training, in the ability to provide precise instruction in writing, including grammar and spelling, whilst keeping lessons engaging and creative. During their lessons, children are prepared for the 11+ Common Entrance and other senior school entrance examinations through a challenging but thorough curriculum.
In Upper Prep our curriculum continues to foster self-expression, to feed children’s imaginations and instil in them confidence. A natural motive for writing and a lasting love of reading, through whole school frameworks that are based on strong evidence based research and through studied texts. Flexibility within our writing framework also allows for inquiry-led writing, where pupils develop ideas and questions that motivate and contextualise their writing, helping them see the real-world relevance of their skills.
Through our Public Speaking programme at KES Prep all our children are gently stretched outside of their comfort zones in a safe and supportive environment which is scaffolded appropriately so that by the time they reach Upper Prep our children are able to carefully prepare a persuasive speech or take on a debate which is presented within their year groups, with the potential to reach our Public Speaking final which is presented in front of a larger more formal audience. At KES Prep we teach the children the power of informative and persuasive speaking to help raise bold, and expressive young leaders, entrepreneurs, and human beings who can speak out about their interests and views with confidence.
Science
Science at KES Prep is about developing enquiring minds and fostering a deep understanding of the importance of scientific disciplines. Throughout the year, KES Prep scientists will enrich their learning through trips, visiting speakers and themed days aimed at broadening their scientific view and to inspire a love of the sciences. Our rich, practical curriculum utilises our fully equipped laboratory and the diverse outdoor environment stimulates and inspires.
Art, Craft and Design
In Art, Craft and Design pupils engage in a wealth of materials and experiences in our studio. In Art, children will experience skills and materials such as drawing techniques, photography, 3D sculpting, water colours, acrylic on canvas paintings, ink painting, mixed media collage, etching, printing etc. In Craft and Design, children explore wood working, metal working, electronics, product design, graphic design, gourmet cooking, computer aided design, textiles, sewing, tie-dye, batik, screen printing and many more.
Pupils are given time and space to develop projects linked to their classwork, using the skills taught, allowing creativity and inquiry to be at the heart of their creative work.
Discovery
Discovery lessons combine the teaching of History, Geography and Religious Studies and support the children in developing a broad knowledge and understanding of the world around them. By teaching these subjects in a creative and cross-curricular way we encourage children’s higher order thinking skills and develop their understanding of how these subjects relate to each other.
Our Discovery lessons allow our teachers to be even more creative, develop links between the existing curriculum topics and add new topics to further inspire our children.
Computing
Computing and Digital Literacy’ is taught as a discrete subject by class teachers, in our age-appropriate computing suites, and then further embedded throughout the curriculum. We continuously support the development of pupils’ programming skills through the computing aspects of the curriculum, and the digital literacy aspects enable children to understand how technology can be used to enhance their learning across all curriculum areas.
Performing Arts
We have always been passionate advocates of The Arts and here at KES Prep, Music and Drama is specialist taught as ‘Performing Arts’ all the way through the school. This academic focus on music alongside creative drama and performance activities enthuses and inspires our children, developing their knowledge and skills, creating plenty of opportunities to build their self-esteem and confidence through performance.
Languages
We continue to focus on French, taught by specialist staff, and we also introduce our children from Year 3 to Year 6 to WOLLOW – World of Languages, Languages of the World! The WOLLOW curriculum encourages children to be curious about languages including their history, culture, and diversity; to understand the links and patterns between languages; and, to better understand how language works, which will in turn support their English language development.
Every other year we also hold a whole school event to raise the profile of MFL, highlighting the importance of language learning in the diverse world that we live in today. Our curriculum supports lessons in both French and Spanish on a weekly basis. Our department is fully committed to providing extra opportunities for language learning and enhancing the status of languages within the school, with the Year 6 children travelling to France for their residential.
