Together we explore

Our Pre-Prep

Childhood is a time for fun and discovery through a wealth of learning opportunities. Our Pre-Prep is a special and unique place. Our aim is to give children the best possible start to their educational pathway, where friendships are made, individual academic excellence is achieved and happy memories are created. We are an independent Nursery, Pre-Prep and prep School in Liphook situated in 175 acres of stunning grounds in the South Downs National Park on the borders of Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex. Children in our Pre-Prep develop their social, emotional and cognitive skills through play-based activities. Every day your child will have to opportunity to apply what they have learnt in the classroom to activities in their shared areas or out in our fabulous 175-acre grounds. These hands-on opportunities give your child’s learning meaning and a grounding in the real world.

Our Pre-Prep children visit forest school several times a week. It provides a stimulating and engaging environment that encourages exploration, creativity and curiosity. Through being outdoors your child will develop an appreciation for the environment. They will learn to understand the significant impact they can have on sustainability for themselves and future generations by learning about environmental issues and taking meaningful actions to reduce their carbon footprint. We are fortunate to have two libraries at school and one is reserved for exclusive use by our Pre-Prep children. It has been carefully curated to instil a love of books and reading in all our children and to help your child to discover the magic that books bring, inspiring them in every topic from expeditions and exercise to Fairtrade and faraway places. Storytime and our robust phonics programme will help your child to develop crucial skills such as communication and comprehension.

Alongside the core curriculum, in the Pre-Prep your child will enjoy weekly swimming lessons in additional to their games and PE lessons. They will develop a positive attitude toward exercise and will grow to understand that a healthy body means a healthy mind, helping your child gain insight on how they learn best. A Pre-Prep education is one to be cherished. It is a time to develop the foundations for a love of learning where challenges are seen as positive experiences and every activity is approached with a smile, laughter and a can-do attitude.

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Seeing the pre-prep children jump into wellies and waterproof trousers in record time and charge out to break was fabulous.

Lessons

Our Pre-Prep timetable has been meticulously curated to ensure we get the best out of your child throughout the day. Your child will benefit from being taught maths and English every morning by their highly-qualified class teacher. They then embark on a day full of incredible lessons, including music, games, PE, Spanish and swimming which are all delivered by subject specialist teachers. Lessons are either taught as a single lesson of half an hour or to allow, your child to really get stuck in, some lessons are scheduled as a double one-hour lesson.

The timetable also ensures the Pre-Prep children can make the most of our incredible facilities as well as our amazing teachers. The acres of woodland just a stone’s throw from their classroom door is home to your child’s forest school lessons. Our on-site, 25-metre indoor swimming pool, which is heated by a renewal energy source in the shape of our woodchip biomass boiler, is where your child will learn to swim. For their music lessons, your child will head over to our purpose-built Music School to be surrounded by musical inspiration and every instrument they could possibly dream of – everything from African drums to a grand piano. Our Art Studio is where our Pre-Prep and Prep school children delve into painting, pottery and collage, allowing your child to share their creative vision with their older peers. The sports hall, astro and endless fields and pitches will give your child the space to breathe, stretch their physical muscles and discover their sporting prowess.

Food

Great children need great food which is why we hire a fantastic team of chefs, bakers and cooks to keep your child well fuelled throughout the day. Morning break is at 10am, the same time as our Prep school children. Your child will enjoy a carbohydrate-based snack to provide them with a slow release of energy to power them through their morning lessons.

Lunch break for our Pre-Prep children is at 11.45am when your child will enjoy a good run around outside as well as a nutritious meal before returning to lessons at 1pm. Your child’s lunch is freshly prepared on site by our in-house Catering Team. We offer a wide choice of dishes to ensure we cater for all tastes. There are always hot and cold options, with plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and salads. Vegetarians, vegans and those with special dietary requirements are well catered for.

Our seasonal menus operate on a three-week rotation and aim to educate your child about healthy choices and responsible eating.

Logistics

The Pre-Prep week

7.30am Breakfast club (Optional £)

8am Before school care

8.15am Gates open

8.30am Registration

10.30am Morning break

11.40am Lunch break

3.30pm School day ends

3.30pm After school clubs (optional)

4.30pm Clubs end

4.30pm Picnic tea and play (optional £)

6.30pm Last pick up

Drop off

The doors to our pre-prep swing open for children at 8.15am ready for your child to start their day promptly at 8.30am. We know and completely understand that mornings can be busy for many families, with parents juggling school drop off, work and other commitments. It’s important that your child’s start to the day is calm and stress free to set them up for a successful say of learning. That’s why we offer an earlier 8am drop off option for those families who need it, at no extra charge.

Many of our families make use of our breakfast club, which opens for our Nursery children at 7.30am. Breakfast club takes place in the dining hall and your child will be spoilt for choice for what to have for breakfast. There is always a hot option such as beans on toast as well cereal, porridge, yoghurt, toast and fresh fruit. A truly hearty breakfast to kickstart their active day ahead.

After school

The school day finishes at 3.30pm but your child’s time with us does not have to stop there. There is a plethora of after-school clubs for your child to choose from. But not before they have had a snack for a well-earned energy boost to see them through the next hour of excitement. There are four categories of clubs: academic, skill development, artistic and physical and we encourage your child to try to choose one club from each group to give themselves the opportunity to explore new interests. Many of our clubs are run by our teachers who are passionate about a certain sport, subject or hobby and are free of charge. We also invite external professionals to run clubs such as Karate, modern dance or cookery, which do incur additional costs.

If there isn’t a club that takes your child’s fancy but you need your child to be looked after, they can join our after school care which runs until 4.30pm. We know life is exceptionally busy for all families which is why, in addition to our after school provision, we also offer picnic tea and play. In this popular session your child will be served a high tea which they will enjoy as a picnic with their friends. There will be lots of games and activities on offer for your child until 6.30pm.

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What we’re up to…

Year 4 have been discovering the joy of diary writing. Starting with storyboards to map out their ideas, they then crafted thoughtful diary entries and enjoyed sharing their stories with the class. It’s been a wonderful way to build confidence, connection and creativity through writing. #TogetherWeGrow #Speaking #AimingHigh #Creativity #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

There’s no better way to connect with a story than by stepping into it and that’s exactly what our Year 7s did today at @chichesterft . In a drama workshop on Lord of the Flies, they brought the characters to life, deepened their understanding of the text and explored the tech behind theatre-making. We can’t wait to see how they bring these learnings into their performance. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #Listening #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Year 2 have been studying trees and leaves and experimenting with paint and drawing techniques in art this week and created some wonderfully imaginative pieces. What a creative way to explore their “fabulous forests” topic. It really has helped their learning take root! #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeExplore #Creativity #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

National Teachers’ Day is a chance to reflect on the incredible work our teachers do every day. Our Head, Mrs Cryer, shared: “We have such a talented and dedicated team. Thank you for your passion, commitment and for inspiring our children every single day. We’re proud to celebrate you and the lasting impact you have on each child’s life.” #TogetherWeGrow #NationalTeachersDay #TogetherWeAchieve #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

‘Connect’ was the focus of our assembly this morning, where Year 3 shared thoughtful tips and advice with their Pre-Prep peers on how to build meaningful connections, make friends and understand the importance of inclusion within our community. It was wonderful to see the children spread such a positive and powerful message about wellbeing and belonging. #TogetherWeGrow #Listening #Speaking #Wellbeing #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Tents were pitched, fires were lit and a spirit of adventure took over as Year 7 embraced the challenges of their campout. From mastering bushcraft skills to cooking together, every moment called for teamwork, resilience and plenty of laughs along the way. They built friendships, grew in confidence and created the kind of memories that only come from shared experiences in the great outdoors. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeThrive #Teamwork #ProblemSolving #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Sparks are flying in DT as Year 6 get to grips creating their own ‘Steady Hand’ games. With wires, buzzers and plenty of imagination, this hands-on project brings science and circuits to life. This topic sees the children build on their fine motor skills and learn that a steady hand and a little problem-solving can go a long way. #TogetherWeGrow #ProblemSolving #Creativity #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

“Who will help me make some bread?” asked The Little Red Hen, and our Reception class were more than ready to say yes! Bringing their literacy topic to life they mixed, kneaded and baked their very own bread. A wonderful way to connect storytelling with real-world learning! #TogetherWeGrow #Creativity #ToegtherWeLearn #BreadMaking #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Our U11A Boys’ Football team arrived at the @isfafootball Hampshire Regional Cup at @bedalespreprep with quiet determination and a drive to raise the bar. After a hard-fought semi-final win over @twyfordschool and topping their group, the boys secured a spot at the ISFA National Finals at St George’s Park. A proud moment for the squad, whose resilience, teamwork and commitment shone throughout the day. #TogetherWeGrow #Sport #Football #ISFA #TogetherWeThrive #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Wednesday afternoons are pure sporting joy. Our teams play their hearts out whether at home or away. Seeing the children give their all, supporting one another and growing in confidence is what school sport is all about. And it’s always wonderful to see so many parents watching from the sidelines. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeAchieve #Teamwork #Leadership #Sport #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Supporting children’s mental health is so important to us. We believe that when we share knowledge as a community, we’re stronger together. Today we welcomed parents to our Mental Health First Aid Training, led by Vivienne Liddell, Deputy Head (Pastoral), who shared practical tools to help parents feel more confident supporting their children’s wellbeing. #TogetherWeGrow #Wellbeing #MentalHealth #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

As part of their topic, ‘How do people help us in the community?’, Year 1 were delighted to welcome a real-life doctor into their classroom, who shared how she helps others every day and brought some of her medical tools to show the children. The class had prepared thoughtful questions and were captivated by her visit. Thanks for inspiring the next generation of helpers. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #Listening #Speaking #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Food waste is the focus of our Year 3 & 4 Eco-Club. They have created eye-catching posters to help their peers think carefully about what they’re actually eating at lunch and what’s being left. These will be displayed around the school to inspire small changes with a big impact. #TogetherWeGrow #Leadership #Teamwork #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Inspired by wildlife artist Shelly Perkins’ beautiful Antarctic artwork, Year 3 are exploring watercolour techniques to bring Antarctic wildlife to life. This creative journey deepens their topic. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeInspire #Creativity #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Today we welcomed the NSPCC to talk to Years 2, 5 and 6 about their ‘Speak out Stay safe’ programme. These important, age-appropriate sessions help children understand that they have the right to be heard, to feel safe and to ask for help whenever they need it. Together, they explored what kinds of worries they might have and who the safe adults are that they can turn to. #TogetherWeGrow #Listening #Wellbeing #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

At today’s Open Classrooms, it was a joy to see the children proudly welcoming their parents into the classroom. Together, they explored fun and creative activities, including celebrating #EuropeanDayOfLanguages, a wonderful reminder of the joy of learning, and the power of sharing it with family. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Our Year 8 Peer Mentors joined their Year 4 buddies for some fun academic challenges, to help build connection and trust. Each Year 4 student is paired with a mentor, an older peer they can turn to for advice, support, or simply a friendly chat. These relationships nurture confidence and a strong sense of belonging across our school. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeAchieve #Leadership #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

A brilliant win for our U10 girls’ hockey team yesterday at Westbourne House School . The result was a reflection of their growing confidence, teamwork and dedication on the pitch. With every match, they’re not just refining tactics, they’re building resilience and a love for the game. Well done, girls! #TogetherWeGrow #Teamwork #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Lovely to see our Reception out in Forest School today, practising their firelighting skills and enjoying the freedom to roam, discover and share their woodland finds with their friends. A perfect mix of learning, adventure and teamwork. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeExplore #Listening #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Lead by Year 4 teacher Rebecca Lane, our Wellbeing and Listening Walk around the school grounds gives Year 3 and 4 a chance to talk, share, or simply enjoy the wellbeing boost of being outdoors. #TogetherWeGrow #TakeTimeToNotice #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Our Year 8 stepped into the wonders of physics this week, building their very own pinhole cameras from cardboard tubes, tracing paper, foil and tape. They were amazed by what they were able to achieve with these simple materials, and even more so, the impressive result. #TogetherWeGrow #Teamwork #Science #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Magic is in the air! Year 5 drama rehearsals for Aladdin are in full swing, and the excitement is contagious. The children are bringing the vibrant characters to life with so much energy, joy and imagination. If today’s rehearsal is anything to go by, we’re in for a truly show-stopping performance this November. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeShine #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Our First XI Football team faced @cranford_sch in the first round of the @isfafootball U13 Bowl. Playing with great spirit and teamwork the boys gave a fantastic performance, winning 6-0 taking them through to the next round. Huge well done. #TogetherWeGrow #Football #Teamwork #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Science comes alive in Year 1. The children explored and compared the properties of materials through touch and observation, learning to describe everything from soft and stretchy to opaque and transparent. With hands-on activities and curious minds, they turned sensory exploration into exciting discovery! #TogetherWeGrow #ProblemSolving #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

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