The Pre-Prep Department at Sussex independent school Sompting Abbotts
The Pre-Prep at Sompting Abbotts is where your child officially begins his or her education. The department comprises Pre-Prep 1 (Nursery); Pre-Prep 2 (Reception); Pre-Prep 3 (Year 1) and Pre-Prep 4 (Year 2). These year-groups are housed in the 'Old Stables' building.
A great start for your child's education
Class sizes are kept small, with most classes having maximum 15 pupils. Children are taught by a close team of experienced teachers supported by teaching assistants. It means our friendly department has the time to really build firm relationships with your child and your family.
We strongly believe that the first years of school are a period of rapid cognitive development and that the teaching children receive at this stage will have a significant impact on their future attainment at senior school level. Evidence-backed research shows this.
In the Pre-Prep, pupils are taught English, Maths, Science, Geography, History, RE, Cookery and Design Technology by the class teacher. Specialist teachers are used for Music, Art, French and PE. Classrooms are equipped with Smart Boards, computers and digital tablets. We have a shared Junior Library with comfy cushions.
Modern technology supports our curriculum, and coding starts with Beebots, advancing to block-based visual programming with Scratch on Chromebooks, with iPads being used for lots of purposes, including for making videos and nature identification.
Pastoral care is a strong priority for us. We encourage our children and their parents to share life events, problems or successes. We keep you up-to-date on your child's progress both in person and through twice-yearly reports.
One-to-one attention
The Pre-Prep department places a strong focus on early literacy skills. and carefully selected reading books and a reading diary are sent home daily. Watch the video to find out more.
Skills for life
All our children perform in assemblies in front of their peers and parents. It's all about learning to stand up and talk in public – a skill that will be important later in life. We know that with encouragement even those of a shyer disposition become more comfortable and gain confidence when they're given the support they need to 'shine'. Self-confidence is gained from each small success, which leads to more success.
Extra-curricular clubs after-school are offered three days a week. The topics change every term. They include art and crafts activities, science and nature, indoor and outdoor games, and cookery. Ballet, speech and drama and music lessons are offered. We also organise regular topic-based educational trips outside school and invite interesting visitors into Pre-Prep.
Outdoor play and discovery
Pre-Prep children play together at break time. At midday, they eat a home-cooked lunch on communal tables with their teachers in the Dining Room. They have a large walled garden to explore, play hide-and-seek, clamber on the adventure equipment and role-play their passion of the moment – whether it's Harry Potter, the Gruffalo or The BFG!
Wraparound care is free to our parents. Children in the Pre-Prep attending our West Sussex private school Sompting Abbotts are welcome in the Early Room from 8am and in the Late Room until 4.30pm. If you're unavoidably delayed, your child will be taken to main school and supervised with the Prep pupils in the Library.
Second language learning in the Pre-Prep
All children in the Pre-Prep department begin learning French from age 2. From age 2 to 4 years, we use immersion teaching methods via song and music. From Reception onwards, we begin more formal language teaching.
Following our earlier announcement in July of the shortlisted entries for the Independent Schools of the Year 2023 awards, we're delighted Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School has been selected as a Finalist in the Independent School of the Year for Environmental Achievement category.