Our nurturing Pre-Prep day school combines structured learning with playful exploration, fostering curiosity in every child and building strong foundations.
Creating an environment where every child feels happy and secure is paramount to helping them achieve their best.
As one of the UK’s award-winning pre-prep schools, we ensure that our children are surrounded by positive role models, fostering an atmosphere of kindness and mutual respect. Specialised learning begins early, with music, outdoor adventure, French, drama, and swimming introduced from Reception, with the curriculum expanding to include Games from Year 1. This comprehensive and robust approach supports each child to excel academically whilst thriving in an environment that nurtures creativity, collaboration, and personal growth.
Staff members are enthusiastic, passionate and show a level of care beyond all expectations. The Downs is a real treasure, I feel lucky to have found it.
We follow the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 in English, Maths, Science, and Humanities, ensuring that children acquire a broad range of skills and knowledge. This is enhanced by our topic-based learning approach, allowing children to explore various themes, make connections between different subjects, and enjoy a rich, dynamic learning experience.
Regular trips, guest visitors, and numerous opportunities for hands-on investigation and problem-solving further enrich our curriculum. Pupils continue to benefit from the specialist teaching introduced during pre-pre school and the Early Years, building on this strong foundation as they progress.
A seamless transition from Reception to Year 1 ensures that children continue to learn at a steady and familiar pace, supported by small class sizes. This phase is vital not only for instilling effective learning habits, but also for shaping positive attitudes towards school and education. Beyond academics, it’s a time when formative friendships blossom, influencing social interactions that are essential for every child to thrive.
An independent Pre-Prep is the first stage of education within a private or independent school, typically for children aged 4 to 7 (Reception to Year 2). It provides a nurturing, small-scale environment with an emphasis on individual attention, high-quality teaching, and strong pastoral care, helping to build firm foundations for future learning.
Our Pre-Prep follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework in Reception and the National Curriculum in Years 1 and 2 (Key Stage 1). This is enriched with specialist teaching, outdoor learning, and practical, hands-on experiences that help children build strong early skills while developing confidence, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning.
Class sizes are deliberately small, typically around 12 to 15 pupils. This ensures every child receives individual attention and tailored support, both academically and pastorally, while developing the confidence and independence to reach their full potential.
Nursery and Pre-Prep are two distinct stages of early education. Nursery focuses on early years care and learning through play for younger children, typically from 6 months to age 4. Pre-Prep begins in Reception and runs to Year 2, offering a more structured yet nurturing introduction to school life, with early literacy, numeracy, and wider curriculum learning delivered through small classes and strong pastoral care.
Read more about our Nursery here.
Yes. Pre-Prep pupils enjoy a wide range of enrichment opportunities beyond the classroom from scheduled trips to exploring our 55 acre setting, which includes its own Forest School and smallholding. These activities complement classroom learning and help pupils discover new interests from an early age.
We ensure that the move from Pre-Prep to Prep is a smooth, supportive, and positive experience. Children are gradually introduced to new routines, teachers, and learning spaces, with plenty of opportunities to build familiarity and confidence. Strong communication between staff, careful pastoral support, and a nurturing approach mean pupils feel ready, settled, and excited for the next stage of their education.
