The next stage of our Somerhill learning journey

From pre-school, the next exciting step at age 4 is joining Somerhill pre-prep. In Reception, children continue to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, before transitioning to the national curriculum in Year 1 and 2. This change introduces more structured learning while preserving the creativity and exploration that underpin early education.

As part of our nurturing environment, children move up alongside their friends while also welcoming new classmates who join directly in Reception. We ensure a smooth and confident transition by providing numerous opportunities for children to visit their new classrooms, meet their new teachers, and become familiar with the exciting changes ahead. We focus on making each child feel comfortable and excited as they take the next step in their educational journey.

Pre-prep at Somerhill offers a warm, supportive environment where children develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime. We foster curiosity, confidence, and resilience in our young learners. Our nurturing co-educational environment, tailored for children aged 4 to 7, strongly emphasises children’s well-being, as we believe that learning comes naturally when children are happy and engaged.

Our balanced and dynamic curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to nurture curious, confident, and creative problem-solvers from an early age. With a perfect balance of core subjects and a creative curriculum, we develop excellent academic foundations while encouraging critical thinking, resilience, and creativity. Through project-based learning that connects subjects like geography, history, and art, children explore concepts actively, developing essential life skills such as teamwork and problem-solving.

We make learning meaningful and engaging, whether through hands-on activities in math and English, inspiring a love of reading and writing, or supporting personal growth with the help of our Pre-Prep Pals. Our commitment to a safe, supportive environment ensures every child feels valued and empowered, developing the confidence to tackle challenges positively. With a strong home-school partnership, we work together to ensure each child succeeds and thrives as a lifelong learner.

We have high expectations of our children, but with their well-being in mind, ensuring they feel proud of their progress and accomplishments every step of the way. By nurturing their confidence and resilience, we empower them to take on new challenges with a sense of pride and joy in their learning.

Every class in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, has a teacher and a teaching assistant to support their academic learning and well-being. We are lucky to have specialist subject teachers who work with all the children, teaching PE, games, swimming, French, music, and woodlands.

‘High-quality education in a happy environment. Teaching enables pupils of all abilities to make progress. It promotes exploration and independent learning and gives pupils confidence in their abilities.’

Independent Schools Inspectorate - February 2024

Staying active in pre-prep

At Somerhill, we believe in the power of outdoor learning and make the most of our beautiful 150-acre estate. Whether it's taking maths, art, creative writing, or science outside, we embrace the natural environment to enhance every subject. Come rain or shine, our confident learners eagerly explore the courtyard, play areas, and lush green spaces across the school. PE, games, woodland adventures, and swimming sessions are woven into the pre-prep timetable from Reception onwards, ensuring children stay active, engaged and connected to nature.

Our outdoor experiences play a key role in fostering a love of learning while supporting physical and emotional development. In preparation for sports in the prep school, Year 2 children begin to have a small amount of match experience with fixtures organised with other schools in the area.

Capturing creativity

Music, drama, and art play a central role in our pre-prep curriculum. With a purpose-built music suite and specialist teachers, children explore singing and early musicianship each week. From Year 2, we encourage pupils to take individual instrumental lessons, celebrating their progress at special teatime concerts throughout the year.

Our array of Christmas performances, drama productions, and the much-anticipated pre-prep show at the end of the year provide wonderful opportunities for children to shine in front of their families.

Art exhibitions showcase the skills and creativity the children develop in class, while many also participate in dance classes offered through our outside partner clubs. These enriching experiences foster creativity and build confidence and emotional resilience, helping our youngest learners grow in self-assurance and express themselves with pride.

Moving up to Somerhill prep

At the end of Year 2, our pre-prep pupils join our Somerhill prep-school. Our teachers have many years of experience helping children (and parents) move up happily from pre-prep to prep and will support them in continuing the Somerhill journey.

We ensure children feel ready and confident in moving to prep, and each summer, we hold several ‘moving-up’ activities, including induction sessions, allowing children to get to know their new classmates and teachers.