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Lower Prep Curriculum Guide

Welcome to the Brighton College (Singapore) Lower Prep ( Years 1 - 3) This welcome booklet has been written to introduce you to our Lower Prep at Brighton College (Singapore). Lower Prep consists of Year 1 till Year 3w. Our children follow the National Curriculum for England which is adapted and personalised to suit our international context. At Brighton College (Singapore), we pride ourselves on creating a nurturing and dynamic environment where every child feels valued and inspired. Within these pages, you’ll discover how our thoughtfully designed spaces and rich learning experiences spark curiosity, build confidence, and encourage a deep sense of wonder. Our approach supports children to explore, question and grow - laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning in a place where they truly flourish.

How We Teach At the heart of our teaching is a commitment to recognising each child’s individual strengths, allowing us to shape learning experiences that build from their unique starting points. We foster a culture of curiosity and confidence, encouraging children to take risks, think deeply, and make meaningful connections through rich dialogue and carefully considered questions. Our thoughtfully designed environments are filled with accessible, purposeful resources that inspire exploration and support independent learning. Each day offers a balanced blend of adult-led, adult-initiated, and child-initiated activities, ensuring that children encounter new ideas and can apply them in varied, meaningful ways. Our educators are active partners in the learning journey - introducing new concepts through explicit teaching, extending thinking through questioning, and observing children closely as they engage with the world around them. These observations guide us in identifying next steps, so that each child continues to thrive and grow in their own way.

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The Early Learning Village (ELV) Maker Space

Enhanced Learning Spaces Our Lower Prep classrooms are housed in the ELV (Early Learning Village). The state-ofthe-art facilities further enhance the learning experience. Classrooms are bright, spacious, and equipped with access to shared balcony spaces that invite independent exploration.

The Pods Each classroom is part of a thoughtfully designed cluster of four, forming a welcoming and secure learning hub known as a pod.

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Within each pod, children enjoy access to age-appropriate workspaces, a cosy minilibrary, a well-equipped resource centre, and open areas that encourage collaboration, play, and easy movement between activities. The consistent pod layout and small groupings provide a reassuring sense of familiarity, helping young learners transition smoothly between year groups while maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere. Each pod fosters a close-knit community where exploration, creativity, and connection thrive.

In Year 1, the balcony spaces connected to the classrooms mirror those in our EYFS setting, helping to create a smooth and reassuring transition for the children. These familiar, thoughtfully designed areas continue to offer opportunities for play and continuous provision, supporting the developmental needs of the children while gently introducing them to the structure of KS1.

Our Lower Prep Makerspace is a dynamic, hands-on environment where children are encouraged to explore, create, and problem-solve through open-ended projects. It’s a space designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking, allowing pupils to bring their ideas to life using a wide range of materials and tools. Whether building structures, designing inventions, or experimenting with simple circuits, children engage in purposeful making that links to their classroom learning. The Makerspace supports cross-curricular exploration - blending art, science, design, and technology - while nurturing independence and resilience. It’s a valued part of the Lower Prep learning experience, empowering children to take risks, think like innovators, and develop confidence in their own ideas.

In Year 3, an enclosed balcony space adjoining the classroom provides an extended learning environment, ideal for collaborative activities and focused support for small groups. LOWER PREP

Curriculum The Core Subjects Mathematics We follow a mastery approach to the teaching of maths. Our curriculum is sequenced to build deep, sustainable understanding of mathematical concepts through a blend of fluency, reasoning and problem solving. Children are encouraged to make connections in their learning and to explore mathematical ideas in a variety of ways. We support fluency through daily opportunities to revisit and consolidate key number facts, while rich tasks and open-ended investigations develop pupils’ reasoning and resilience. Learning is grounded in the use of concrete manipulatives to help children grasp new concepts. As their confidence grows, pupils are supported to move from concrete experiences to pictorial representations, and finally to more abstract methods. This concrete–pictorial–abstract approach ensures that all children, regardless of starting point, can access the curriculum and develop a deep and lasting understanding. English In Year 1 and Year 2, children build strong foundations in reading through the Read Write Inc. (RWI) phonics programme. They participate in four sessions each week, developing essential skills in fluency, blending, and decoding.

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As children progress through RWI, they also explore spelling patterns linked to the phonics they are learning. Once they complete the RWI programme, children move on to age-appropriate spelling rules, with Year 2 pupils following the RWI Spelling programme. Handwriting is taught alongside phonics and spelling: in Year 1, children focus on correct upper- and lowercase letter formation, and in Year 2, they are introduced to full cursive script and begin joining letters. Reading is central to our curriculum and underpins learning across all subjects. We foster a love of reading through exposure to rich vocabulary, one-to-one reading, and whole class shared texts. Once secure in phonics, children are taught key comprehension strategies. These skills are developed through guided reading sessions and one-to-one reading with a teacher or teaching assistant. Our literacy units are designed around high-quality children’s literature. Each half term, a carefully chosen core text provides the foundation for reading, discussion, and writing. Through exploring different styles of writing, children learn the grammar and punctuation rules needed to write clearly, accurately, and for a range of purposes and audiences.

Science Our science curriculum allows children to investigate and explore the world around them. Children learn about living things, materials, and physical processes through hands-on activities and simple experiments. They develop observational skills, ask questions, and begin to understand the scientific method. The curriculum focuses on helping children explore scientific concepts and develop critical thinking and curiosity. LOWER PREP

The Foundation Subjects

Humanities

Art and Design

Humanities teaching helps children develop an understanding of the world around them and their place in it. In History, children explore significant people, events, and places from the past, both locally and globally, developing key skills such as chronological thinking and historical enquiry.

By the end of Lower Prep, children will have strengthened their artistic skills and creativity through developing fine motor control, practising a range of drawing techniques, exploring a variety of media, and being introduced to the work of different artists. They will have learned to plan, create, and reflect on their own artistic outputs, expressing their ideas with increasing confidence, imagination, and enjoyment.

In Geography, they learn about their local area and the wider world, including continents, oceans, weather patterns, and key physical and human features. Throughout, children are encouraged to ask questions, compare similarities and differences, and begin to use maps and other sources to deepen their understanding of the world. Dance and Drama Children experience dance and drama to develop their creativity, self-expression, and physical coordination. They explore movement, role-play, and storytelling, while building confidence in performing individually and as part of a group. 8

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PE In Lower Prep, children develop basic movement skills including running, jumping, throwing, and catching. They take part in team games, learn simple tactics, and explore dance and movement. The focus is on building coordination, confidence, and a love of physical activity. We also encourage good sportsmanship, teamwork, and developing a lifelong enjoyment of sport.

Swimming

Music

Weekly swimming lessons aim to ensure that by the end of Year 2, children can swim 25 meters independently (with or without aids), build water confidence through activities like submerging underwater, and swim unaided without goggles. These lessons help develop essential swimming skills while promoting water safety. Our pupils in Year 3 enjoy a dedicated 12-week block of swimming lessons each year, held in the 25-metre pool adjacent to our main campus. This weekly transition is a highlight for our Year 3 pupils, who enjoy visiting the Prep School site to access these professional facilities.

Children explore music through singing, playing instruments, and listening to different styles of music. They develop rhythm, pitch, and basic musical skills, while building confidence in expressing themselves creatively through sound.

Mandarin Children learn Mandarin either as a second or foreign language (non-native) or as a native speaker. Non-native speakers are introduced to basic vocabulary and simple phrases through songs, stories, and interactive activities. Children also being to explore the Chinese writing system and can recognise and form some characters. Advanced and near native speakers will learn to recite and memorise poems and nursery rhymes, independently read age-appropriate texts, and compose short sentences and passages of writing.

PSHE Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education (PSHE) focuses on helping children understand their emotions, develop positive relationships, and learn how to stay healthy and safe. Through PSHE, children are encouraged to develop self-awareness, empathy, and respect for others, forming the foundation for responsible and healthy living. Specialist Lessons In Years 1 and 2, the following lessons are taught by specialist teachers with a deep knowledge and experience in their subject area. PE – 80 minutes Music – 40 minutes Mandarin – 160 minutes Library – 40 Minutes Dance – 40 minutes Drama – 40 minutes Art – 80 minutes Swimming – 30 minutes Year 3 Specialist Lessons French – 40 minutes Computing – 40 minutes

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Homework

Behaviour

Pelican Pathway

Year 1 and 2 – Reading

We recognise the importance of children behaving appropriately. Our goal is to:

The Pelican Pathway is a reward system designed to encourage pupils to demonstrate the college’s core values. The Pelican Pathway inspires and motivates pupils to reach their full potential, wherever their strengths may lie, and celebrates those who embody the qualities we value most in our learning environment.

To support their progress, we ask that pupils read at home every evening for at least 15 minutes, either independently or with an adult. Reading should be recorded in their learning diaries. Children can change their reading book once it has been recorded that they have read with an adult.

• Help children develop into loving and respectful individuals. • Encourage children to understand that they are responsible for their behaviour. • Support children in learning to regulate their behaviour.

Year 1 and 2 – Spellings A spelling test will take place once a week. Weekly spelling lists will be shared with children and parents to practise at home in preparation for the test. Year 2 – Mathematics Year 2 children are expected to use Numbots (an online maths app) at home and play for at least 20 minutes each week. The platform tracks their progress and shows how much time they have left to meet their weekly target. Year 3 Homework To support their progress, we ask that pupils read at home every evening for at least 15 minutes, either independently or with an adult, and record this in their learning diaries. A spelling test will take place once a week. To help children prepare, weekly spelling lists (10 spellings) will be shared for practice at home using the Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check method. Children also have access to Spelling Shed, and online app, where they can complete three engaging practice engaging practice activities each week.

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• Foster positive attachments with adults and help children build friendships with their peers. Year 3 children are expected to use Times Table Rock Stars (an online Maths app) at home regularly to build fluency with multiplication facts. From Term 3 onwards, specific maths homework will be set each week to reinforce learning and provide a supportive bridge to Year 4’s homework expectations. Additionally, in Term 2, children will be introduced to a topic-based project to encourage independent research and deepen their understanding of curriculum themes.

We consistently celebrate and praise positive behaviour. We always work closely with our pastoral team and with parents to support all children to make positive behavioral choices that enable them to thrive within our community.

Pelican points are awarded to pupils who demonstrate clear examples of our defined qualities; P for perseverance, E for Enthusiasm, L for Leadership, I improvement, C for Creativity, A for Achievement and N for Knowledge. These points are recorded in the classroom by their class teachers, and once a certain number of points is collected, Pupils are awarded a certificate in the weekly assembly.

Assemblies Junior Prep assemblies provide a valuable opportunity for children to come together as a community and explore themes linked to the week’s PSHE focus or special events and celebrations. Each class also takes part in an annual class assembly, where children have the chance to perform and showcase their learning. Parents are warmly invited to attend these special occasions.

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Communication At Brighton College (Singapore) we believe that maintaining a continuous dialogue between parents and the college is crucial to ensure that your children gets the most from their time with us. As parents, you play a vital role in your child’s education, and your support and cooperation are important to us. This partnership enables us to provide the best support for your child and gain a better understanding of their needs. If there has been a change in your circumstances, such as moving house, a parent being away on a business trip, or a bereavement, please do let us know.

We have an open-door policy, and you are always welcome to speak with your child’s classroom teacher during pick-up and dropoff times. However, if you have detailed questions or matters of a confidential nature, please email your class teacher to arrange an appointment. Similarly, if we feel your child is experiencing any difficulties at the college, we will reach out to you to discuss the best course of action. Please note, there is an email curfew from 6pm-6am on weekdays. Any email or Seesaw enquiries will be responded to within 24 hours. Please call reception for urgent matters.

The Parent Portal offers a wealth of information relating to college life and we hope you find it both useful and enjoyable. You will receive login details to sign up to the parent portal from admissions.

Class representative Each class has a parent representative who acts as a communication link between the college and the parents of pupils in a particular class, gathering feedback from parents, relaying important information, and generally advocating for the needs of the children within their group. There is a termly Class Rep meeting hosted by the Senior Leadership team where parents’ opinions and ideas are discussed. Seesaw Seesaw plays an important role in connecting learning in the classroom with families at home. Teachers and pupils use this digital platform to document and share key moments of the learning journey through photos, videos, and learning tasks. This not only allows parents to stay informed and engaged, but also provides children with a sense of pride and ownership over their work. Seesaw is also used as a tool to reflect on learning, with pupils encouraged to revisit their posts and talk about their achievements. Whether it’s showcasing a piece of writing, explaining a maths strategy, or capturing a collaborative project, Seesaw helps celebrate progress while supporting home - school communication in a meaningful and accessible way. Your child’s journal can be accessed online, and we highly encourage you to view these ‘wow’ moments. You will receive a weekly newsletter via Seesaw from your class teacher sharing key events from the week, any upcoming events, and general reminders.

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Times of the Day •

Drop-off: From 8.20 am

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Registration and Form Time: 8.50 am

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Lessons: 9.10am - 3.30pm

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Morning Break: 10.30am - 10.50am

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Playtime: 12.10pm - 12.30pm

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Lunch: Served from: 12.30pm - 12.50pm

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Home Time Pick-Up: Pupils who are not participating in CCAs can be picked up from the pod doors at 3.30pm.

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Bus home: 3.30pm

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Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) Pick-Up: CCAs are an optional additional activity that run from 3.30 - 4.20pm each day. Collection after CCAs is from Pod.

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CCA Bus: Departs at 4.30pm

On arrival, Lower Prep parents are requested to drop their children off at the playground, where they will be supervised by the teaching team before registration at 8.50am.

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At the end of the day, we would be grateful if you could arrive promptly to collect your child from their pod doors. When collecting from CCAs, please wait for your child from their designated collection point. Any changes to the normal end of day arrangements for your child must be communicated to the class teacher 24 hours in advance. Outdoor Play The school day includes opportunities for playtime and outdoor activities. The college has a variety of exciting, covered playgrounds that allow for outdoor play in most weather conditions. These playgrounds are designed with a variety of engaging equipment, such as climbing structures, slides, and balance beams and even a Pirate Ship! These spaces help to support children’s physical development and encourage social interaction. Co-Curricular Activities Pupils have the option to participate in CoCurricular Activities (CCAs) until 4.20 pm, Monday to Friday. Each day, there are a variety of options to choose from, including from both external providers (which incur an extra charge) and CCAs provided by the Brighton College (Singapore) staff, such as Forest School, Football, and Karaoke.

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Useful Information What to bring everyday

Meal Services

Parent/Carer Responsibilities

All children need to bring the following with them every day:

Meal services are a critical part of the college’s provision, not least because we are all aware that nutritionally balanced food options for children can encourage them to engage in healthy eating habits as they continue to grow. Our school caterer provides for children in the Lower Prep, Upper Prep and Senior School according to their age-specific needs and preferences.

• Reporting Absence: Parents/carers must notify the school before 9.10am on the first day of absence, by telephone or email to both the school office and the class teacher. If no reason for absence is received by 9.10am, the school receptionist will contact parents or guardians to follow up.

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School bag

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School book bag

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Learning diary

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Water bottle

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Healthy snacks (no nuts)

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Packed lunch, unless ordering lunch from school caterers

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School sun hat

Snacks and Drinks We ask that you provide your child with both a morning and afternoon snack in separate containers, along with a refillable water bottle containing only water. There are water machines available for your child to refill their bottle throughout the day. Please adhere strictly to our guidelines regarding food and drink brought to school. We encourage healthy snacks, such as fruit, crackers, cheese, and yoghurt. We are a nutminimisation school, and fizzy drinks and sweets are not allowed.

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In Years 1,2 and 3, you have the option of providing a packed lunch or ordering from the catering team, Sodexo. If you have any questions or comments, or if you would like more information on any food area please email: sodexo.elv@elv.edu.sg. Attendance We expect all pupils to achieve a minimum attendance rate of 95%, except in cases of chronic health issues. Attendance is recorded twice daily - in the morning and afternoon. Good attendance is vital. Children who are persistently absent or late often fall behind academically and may struggle to meet age-related expectations. Regular and punctual attendance supports strong progress and a positive attitude to learning.

• Medical Evidence: Medical documentation must be provided if requested and shared with the class teacher and school nurse. • Appointments: As far as possible, arrange medical appointments outside school hours. • Lateness: Pupils arriving after 9.10am must report to the Lower Prep Reception to sign in.

• Collection: Pupils must be collected promptly at the end of the day. If collection arrangements differ from the usual routine, the class teacher and school office must be informed before 10am by email or Seesaw. • Holidays: Holidays should be taken during school breaks. Exceptional absence requests must be submitted via the parent portal at least four weeks in advance. Each request will be considered individually. • In Loco Parentis (ILP): If both parents or legal guardians are travelling out of Singapore at the same time, an ILP form is required to be signed prior to leaving Singapore and submitted to the school reception.

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Illness at home Please do not send your child to school if they are unwell or have a temperature of 37.8. Kindly email your child’s class teacher and the school nurse at nurse@brightoncollege.edu.sg to inform them that your child is ill and will not be attending school. If you have a medical certificate, you can share it with both the nurse and the classroom teacher. Illness or Accidents at School We have a full-time nurse, and all our staff are trained to assist your child if they become unwell. If your child feels unwell, we will notify you so that arrangements can be made for them to be collected. Minor accidents will be managed by the nurse, documented, and you will be informed either by email or phone. In the case of a more serious accident, we will contact you immediately. Trips Trips are an integral part of the curriculum, providing exciting opportunities for real-world learning. Visits to local parks, museums, and cultural events allow children to connect their classroom experiences to the world around them. The House system When your child joins the college, they are allocated a House. There are 4 Houses: Chichester (Yellow) Ryle (Green) Fenwick (Blue) Hampden (Red). In Lower Prep, pupils attend bi-weekly House meetings.

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Children are encouraged to wear their House Kit to these meetings. There is exciting termly House events, which the children participate in. School Uniform We are very proud of our school uniform which shares a lot of similarities with Brighton College UK. When travelling to and from the school we ask that children are smart and in full uniform, since they are representing the school in public. Children are expected to wear their uniform for all normal school days except for when wearing House Kit, PE kit, or for special ‘dressing up’ days. Electronic Devices Children in Lower Prep are not permitted to bring iPhones or smart watches into school. Each child from Year 2 is provided with a school-issued iPad, which is kept on site and used to support learning across the curriculum. iPads must be used responsibly and in line with the iPad User Agreement, which is printed in each child’s Learning Diary. Parent Pass Brighton College Singapore families are issued with security passes which must be worn by parents, helpers, and guardians, when visiting the campus. People who forget their pass will be treated as a visitor and will need to sign in at one of the guard houses.

A parent pass and car decals are provided for families who drive onto the campus. Parents are asked to support these security measures, which assist the guards in knowing who is located on the grounds at any one time. Any visitors to the college must sign in at the guard house with a recognised proof of identification (e.g., driver’s license, passport) and obtain a visitor pass before entering the school. This must be returned before departing the premises. Birthdays Children who wish to celebrate their birthday at school are welcome to bring individually wrapped cupcakes to share with their friends. Cupcakes can be shared at the end of the school day and will be sent home with the children.

Please note that our school is a nutminimisation school, meaning that no nuts, nut-based products, or items containing traces of nuts are permitted on school grounds or buses. Toys We kindly ask that children do not bring in toys from home to minimise distractions during class time and prevent potential conflicts or disruptions among pupils. Lost Property Please ensure that all items your child brings into school are clearly labelled with your child’s name on it, including socks and shoes. If there are any unnamed items, they will be taken to the Lower Prep Reception to the lost property box located on level 2.

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Brighton College (Singapore) 1 Chuan Lane Singapore 554299 +65 6505 9790 brightoncollege.edu.sg

THE SUNDAY TIMES

For more information or to book a personal tour please scan QR code or contact us at admissions@brightoncollege.edu.sg

©Brighton College (Singapore) Pte Ltd | PEI Registration Number: 201904884D Period of Registration: 14 October 2023 to 13 October 2027.