Sunny Hill Preparatory School

Sunny Hill Preparatory School

Introduction Welcome to Sunny Hill Preparatory School, a special place that makes the most of our beautiful setting to create a happy and supportive environment to give children the best possible start. A place where children are free to be themselves – to learn, have fun, take on new challenges and make friends.

We welcome girls and boys into our Pre-school and Early Years Foundation Stage classes and girls only from Years 3-6. It is this all-girl experience from Year 3 that allows for freedom of expression, confidence and openness. At Sunny Hill ‘girls can be girls’ and we think this helps keep them younger for longer, making every moment of a precious childhood count, which is so important in this world full of external pressures to grow up.

We share the same campus as our Senior School, Bruton School for Girls, which offers our pupils the best of both worlds. Our intimate classes, broad curriculum, pastoral care and extracurricular provision are tailored around each child and the link to the Senior School allows for access to specialist staff and facilities. Senior School teachers deliver lessons including French, PE, Maths, Science, History and Geography to ensure the highest academic provision.

To take children seriously is to value them for who they are right now rather than adults-in-the-making. ~ Alfie Kohn

Please do come and visit and feel for yourself what makes us special. A warm welcome from the girls and staff awaits!

Helen Snow Head of Sunny Hill Preparatory School

Pre-School Girls and Boys aged 3-4 years It’s a huge privilege to be at the start of a child’s educational journey and in the Pre-School we put each child at the heart of their own learning journey.

For our youngest pupils play is the single most important thing they want to do! Our specialist staff bring learning to life through play to begin developing enquiring minds and feeding natural curiosity. From the start, the children learn about our ethos of friendship, kindness and respect for one another.

Weekly Forest School sessions in our meadow make the most of our glorious surroundings and we offer PE, swimming and music lessons to further enhance each child’s experience.

Children can attend all day or morning and afternoon sessions are available.

Lunch is a delicious two course hot meal cooked and served in the Senior School dining room.

A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires. ~ Paulo Coelho

Foundation Stage Girls and Boys Reception to Year 2 The start of ‘formal’ education our broad educational base offers a topic based curriculum. A wide variety of activities and lots of fun develops each child’s physical, cognitive and social skills and we focus on building a strong foundation in Numeracy, Literacy, Humanities and Science.

Alongside this are many opportunities to develop creativity through art and DT and performance opportunities in music and drama. Children enjoy Forest School, PE and swimming sessions and begin to learn French with a specialist teacher.

Our size means that staff spend a lot of time listening and speaking to the children, as these skills are hugely important to the child’s learning.

If children feel safe, they can take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, learn to trust, share their feelings, and grow. ~ Alfie Kohn

Prep School Girls Only Years 3 – 6 This girls-only experience allows for freedom of expression and openness, developing confidence and self-esteem as the learning journey continues.

We are seeking to harness and develop the girls’ enthusiasm for learning and extend their abilities. Girls are well supported throughout their time at school and our Skills Development Unit can provide individually tailored packages for additional learning support if required.

In a nutshell, we want the girls to enjoy and get the most out of each day, and feel that school at Sunny Hill is the best!

The curriculum includes: English Art Mathematics DT Science ICT French Religious Studies History Drama\ Geography Physical Education Music PSHE The Prep School has its own library plus ICT, Science and Art Rooms.

As well as specialist teaching in French and PE, this is extended to Maths, History and Geography.

When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous. ~ Michelle Obama

Creativity At Sunny Hill involvement in music, art and drama enable children to discover their own talents and express themselves creatively.

Music and drama play an important part in building a child’s confidence and maturity. All age groups perform in concerts, choirs, musical ensembles and orchestras. Every child has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument.

Art and design is on display throughout the school and pupils can explore art in different ways including painting and drawing, modelling, textiles and computer-generated design.

Clubs and Extra-Curricular Activities Providing an opportunity to extend fun and learning outside the classroom, many clubs and activities are offered at lunchtimes or after school. Clubs vary each term and are designed to offer something for everyone. Popular activities include tennis, ballet, modern dance, chess, gymnastics and Latin

Sport All children take part in PE lessons. From Year 3 and above, girls concentrate on the team sports of Hockey and Netball in the Autumn/Winter with Athletics, Swimming and Rounders/Cricket in the Summer. Fostering healthy competition, competitive sport is encouraged and there are opportunities to play matches and tournaments.

After School Care We recognise that everyone leads busy lives and to help parents juggle the daily routine, we offer free after-school care until 5.30pm each day for all children.

These supervised sessions give children time to unwind after school with free-play, and for the older ones there is time set-aside for the completion of homework.

Extended wrap-around options – ‘Early Bird’ from 7.45am including breakfast club and ‘Late Bird’ options after 5.30pm with supper are also available at any additional cost.

I think that all the teachers are lovely and when we are all in class they don’t focus on one person they focus on us individually and can spot if one of us is stuck. ~ Prep 6 Pupil

Boarding If you are considering boarding for your daughter, you can be confident in the high standard of care and support provided at Sunny Hill. We welcome boarders from the age of 8 (Year 4) and a variety of options are available to suit family requirements including full, weekly and flexi-boarding.

Our Prep Boarders live with us in Cumberlege Cottage, a cosy, dedicated wing of the boarding house, which is on the main school campus. Girls share a room with others of a similar age and soon find themselves among an extended family of friends.

Valuing every child Sunny Hill offers a secure, caring environment where children feel happy and comfortable. We are known for outstanding pastoral care and staff build relationships with the pupils based on mutual trust and respect. To achieve their best children need encouragement and we place a high emphasis on accentuating the positive by teaching and rewarding good work, attitudes and behaviour. Our House system promotes healthy competition, a sense of belonging and school spirit and each pupil belongs to one of three Houses.

Highly, highly, highly rated pastoral care. ~ Good Schools Guide

We look forward to welcoming you to Sunny Hill

For further information, please contact The Admissions Department, Bruton School for Girls SUNNY HILL • BRUTON • SOMERSET T 01749 814401 W BRUTONSCHOOL.CO.UK E ADMISSIONS@BRUTONSCHOOL.CO.UK