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.
Seeing the pre-prep children jump into wellies and waterproof trousers in record time and charge out to break was fabulous.
What we’re up to…
There’s nothing quite like feeling the grass beneath your feet! 🌿 Our Nursery children took part in Sports Day barefoot this morning, enjoying all the benefits that barefoot movement brings. From building strength and confidence to supporting balance coordination and a connection with nature, going barefoot encourages children to move freely! Well done Nursery for taking the grassy feet, slips and slides all in your stride! 👏🏽 #IndependentSchool #SportsDay #EarlyYears #ChildDevelopment #OutdoorLearning
To mark Drowning Prevention Week, our students have been learning about water safety, recognising potential risks and exploring ways to stay safe in and around water. An important part of water safety is knowing how to communicate with others. Whether it’s calling for help, explaining an emergency, following instructions or alerting an adult if someone is in difficulty, strong communication skills can play an important role in keeping us and others safe. By helping our children develop these skills from an early age, we hope to give them the confidence to enjoy the water safely and know how to respond in different situations. 🏊♂️
How often do we zip up our child’s coat, carry their bag or tie their shoelace because it’s quicker to do it ourselves? In our latest blog, Georgie Hunter, Head of Pre-Prep and EYFS, reflects on the small everyday moments that help children develop independence, confidence and readiness for school. With September on the horizon, Georgie shares practical advice for families preparing for Reception and explains why the smallest acts of independence can make the biggest difference when children make this important transition. 🔗 Read the full blog here:
What do Year 8s need for a week in Wales? A sense of adventure. A willingness to step outside their comfort zone. Plenty of resilience. And, judging by some of their bags… an impressive quantity of snacks! Our students embraced every opportunity, from coasteering and kayaking to boat trips and mini Olympics. For the particularly brave, there was even the chance to get up close to giant insects at the Bug Farm! The snacks may not have made it home, but the memories, friendships and personal growth certainly will 💛 #IndependentSchool #Year8 #ConfidentCommunicators #Pembrokeshire #SchoolTrip
24 hours of stage setup in 30 seconds… As rehearsals get underway for our Year 8 end-of-year Shrek production, students are finally stepping onto the stage they have been working towards for months. One of the things we value most about school productions is the growth that happens before the performance itself. Rehearsals give students the opportunity to become more assured in themselves, learning how to communicate meaning through expression and connect with an audience. These aren’t just skills for the stage, but an important part of helping young people express themselves clearly and be heard in all areas of school life. We can’t wait to see it all come together. 🎭
This afternoon, we were delighted to welcome families to our Confirmation Service, followed by tea together in the dining hall. Confirmation is an important milestone, offering students the opportunity to reflect on their journey and publicly affirm their faith in the presence of family, friends and the wider school community. Moments like these help young people develop the confidence to express their beliefs and speak with sincerity about the values that matter to them. Thank you to everyone who joined us to mark this special occasion!
🎥 Something special is coming… This week, cameras have been rolling across the school as we capture the next chapter in the Highfield story. A story rooted in our past, shaped by our present and united by one future. More to be revealed soon! #OneHighfield #IndependentSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Filming
Swim hats on, goggles at the ready! Our families filled the poolside as Year 2 proudly showcased their swimming skills at this year’s Swim Gala. They embraced the challenge of swimming in front of a crowd and showed great resilience, pushing themselves to the finish in every race. Well done, Year 2! 🏊♂️ #IndependentSchool #PrePrep #SwimmingGala #Courage #Resilience
🚜 Yesterday, our Nursery children took on their biggest adventure yet with a trip to Manor Farm in Southampton, including an hour-long coach journey! For many, this was a brand-new experience and they showed incredible courage from the moment they stepped onto the coach. At the farm, the children fed pigs and chickens, met guinea pigs up close and learned all about caring for animals. They even stepped into the role of farmers for the afternoon, and for a few hours Manor Farm had some very enthusiastic new farmers on its hands! The children represented the school brilliantly and we couldn’t be prouder of them. Judging by the naps on the way home, they had a fantastic time!
Through self-portraits and careful observation, our Year 6 pupils explored the features that make them unique! It was an opportunity to reflect on personal identity and express their authentic selves by noticing the details that make them recognisably themselves. They were encouraged to see their individuality as something to be valued and celebrated, knowing that each person brings something distinctive to the world around them. 🌍 #PrepSchool #IndependentSchool #ArtLesson #SelfPortrait #AuthenticSelf
What could possibly go wrong wearing cricket whites to a science lesson? Armed with measuring cylinders and a healthy dose of curiosity, our Year 6 pupils explored what happens when liquids of different densities meet. Like all good scientists, they were willing to take a risk, knowing that the outcome might not be exactly what they expected, but that is often where the most interesting discoveries begin. Fortunately, the cricket whites made it through the lesson unscathed! 🏏🧪 #PrepSchool #IndependentSchool #Courage #ScienceExperiments #RiskTaking
Through self-portraits and careful observation, our Year 6 pupils explored the features that make them unique! It was an opportunity to reflect on personal identity and express their authentic selves by noticing the details that make them recognisably themselves. They were encouraged to see their individuality as something to be valued and celebrated, knowing that each person brings something distinctive to the world around them. 🌍 #PrepSchool #IndependentSchool #ArtLesson #SelfPortrait #AuthenticSelf
What could possibly go wrong wearing cricket whites to a science lesson? Armed with measuring cylinders and a healthy dose of curiosity, our Year 6 pupils explored what happens when liquids of different densities meet. Like all good scientists, they were willing to take a risk, knowing that the outcome might not be exactly what they expected, but that is often where the most interesting discoveries begin. Fortunately, the cricket whites made it through the lesson unscathed! 🏏🧪 #PrepSchool #IndependentSchool #Courage #ScienceExperiments #RiskTaking
🎭 A look back at our recent @lamdadrama showcase… What you see here is just a few minutes of performance. What you don’t see are the hours spent learning lines, rehearsing and building their authentic identity as a performer. It’s this dedication that helped our pupils achieve an outstanding 100% Distinction rate in their recent LAMDA examinations. 👏 Head to the link in our bio to read our press release and learn more about this fantastic achievement!
Year 3 headed out on an orienteering expedition around Queen Elizabeth Country Park and quickly discovered that finding your way around isn’t quite as easy when you can’t ask your phone for directions! Armed with an ordnance survey map, the children had to work out which paths to take, decipher unfamiliar symbols and decide whether that tempting-looking shortcut through the forest was actually a good idea. The children showed great teamwork throughout, helping one another navigate the course and overcome the challenges they encountered. The adventure continued after lunch as the children brought their Science learning to life through a range of hands-on seed dispersal activities. A day of exploration, decision-making and learning that sometimes the best route forward isn’t always the most obvious one.🌲🧭
Rain certainly didn’t dampen the enthusiasm during Year 8 Scholars’ Week! Despite the downpours, pupils embraced the week’s adventures with curiosity and enthusiasm. From exploring the mosaics at Bignor Roman Villa to touring Oxford’s historic colleges, visiting a familiar Harry Potter filming location, and even taking to the waves at Hayling Island, there was plenty to discover along the way. The week also included a fantastic performance of “Frankie Goes to Bollywood”, which had everyone captivated from start to finish. And what better way to end the week than with an ice cream before heading home?
We’re warming things up on this rainy day with a look back at one of the many highlights from our Year 6 residential! 🔥 Pupils learned how to build and light fires, working together to master a new skill and enjoying the rewards of their efforts around the campfire. #PrepSchool #Year6Residential #OutdoorLearning #Courageous #Kindness #AuthenticThinking
🎵”When the rainy days are dyin’, Gotta keep on, keep on tryin'”🎵 Year 3 mountain biking was… let’s say character-building. Before heading out into our school grounds, the children took part in a skills session covering braking, safe turning, group riding and navigating different terrain. Then we went out. Into the rain. A lot of rain. Cold. Muddy. Understatement of the year. And they were ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. Charlie had his helmet off, ready to retire, suggested he needed a nap to re-energise. Helmet went back on. He kept going. Max’s pedal fell off two minutes in. So he ran the whole 5km course. Often leading the way. And he was joined by two ‘non-riders’ who instead of sitting it out wanted to join in as well. Alba was an absolute superstar, pushing through despite a “very big problem… my thumbs don’t work anymore.” We could not be more proud! #MountainBiking #PrepSchool #OutdoorLearning #Year3 #GrowthMindset #NeverGiveUp #EthicalResponsibility
🎵”When the rainy days are dyin’, Gotta keep on, keep on tryin'”🎵 Year 3 mountain biking was… let’s say character-building. Before heading out into our school grounds, the children took part in a skills session covering braking, safe turning, group riding and navigating different terrain. Then we went out. Into the rain. A lot of rain. Cold. Muddy. Understatement of the year. And they were ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. Charlie had his helmet off, ready to retire, suggested he needed a nap to re-energise. Helmet went back on. He kept going. Max’s pedal fell off two minutes in. So he ran the whole 5km course. Often leading the way. And he was joined by two ‘non-riders’ who instead of sitting it out wanted to join in as well. Alba was an absolute superstar, pushing through despite a “very big problem… my thumbs don’t work anymore.” We could not be more proud! #MountainBiking #PrepSchool #OutdoorLearning #Year3 #GrowthMindset #NeverGiveUp #EthicalResponsibility
We’ve got some important post for @educationgovuk. Highfield and Brookham School has submitted a White Paper to the Department for Education calling for real change because the world our young people are stepping into looks nothing like the one our current school system was designed for. AI is changing the workplace. Smartphones are affecting wellbeing. And exams still don’t measure the skills employers actually need. We’re calling for: ✅ Human skills: communication, critical thinking, collaboration at the heart of learning ✅ GCSEs that reflect the real world ✅ A national framework for AI literacy ✅ Proper guidance on smartphones and online safety ✅ Schools and employers working together This isn’t just a school issue. It’s a conversation for all of us. #RaisingTheFuture #EducationEvents #FutureSkills #ParentsInEducation #SchoolLeadership @bedalesschool @gilliankeegan
We’re proud to share that Highfield and Brookham School has submitted a White Paper to the Department for Education. Education for a Changing Society: Human Skills, AI Readiness, and Preparing Learners for the Future of Work sets out our vision for an education system that truly prepares young people for the world they’ll actually enter. Following our Raising the Future conference, which brought together education leaders, employers, tech experts we’re calling for: ✅ Greater focus on communication, critical thinking and collaboration ✅ GCSE reform that reflects real-world skills ✅ A national framework for AI literacy in schools ✅ Clearer guidance on smartphones, online safety and digital wellbeing ✅ Closer partnerships between schools, employers and policymakers Read the White Paper. This is a conversation that affects all of us. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Would you prefer to live on land or under the sea? That’s the big question Reception are exploring this term but today, the line between the two felt very blurred! Rather than letting the weather dampen their spirits, our incredible little learners did quite the opposite, they headed outside to see just how big a puddle they could make by moving water from all around their outdoor provision! The result? Pure joy, a LOT of water, and some very happy (and soggy) scientists in the making!
Say hello to our five newest Pre-Prep residents 🐟! Year 1 had the very important job of feeding our fish today – and they rose to the occasion! Caring for classroom pets is a wonderful way to nurture responsibility, kindness and respect for living things. We are very proud of how seriously our pupils have taken on their new role. Welcome to Pre-Prep 🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟 #Preprep #Classroompet #EthicalResponsibility #Earlyyears
Over half term, something very special happened: Mrs Chapman got married! Our Nursery children were absolutely determined to celebrate her in style. They got straight to work: ✅ Crafting a one-of-a-kind wedding dress designed to perfection. ✅ Creating a beautiful, eco-friendly bouquet made entirely from tissue paper flowers. ✅ Baking heart-shaped shortbread biscuits fit for a royal wedding! Watching our youngest pupils pour so much thought, creativity, and care into celebrating someone they love shows exactly the kind of warm, principled young people we are so proud to nurture.