Prospectus Pre-Prep
Discover the wonder of learning
Discover Clifton College Pre-Prep School
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Page 20 Preschool Page 22 Reception Page 24 Years 1 -3
Starting school is an exciting milestone for you and your child. Our innovative and nurturing school environment ensures your child has the best possible start to school life.
We offer a varied curriculum of challenging and enjoyable activities led by a talented and supportive teaching team to develop each child’s love of, and abilities in, a range of subjects.
We also put great emphasis on the characteristics that are needed to be an effective learner. We provide a wide variety of opportunities and experiences for our pupils which help to develop skills such as compassion, empathy and the ability to build lasting relationships.
It is very important we play our part in developing well-rounded, happy and confident pupils who will go out into the world ready to make a difference and eager to continue their educational journey.
Pip Gillam Deputy Head
Pre-Prep
A sense of belonging
We provide a supportive and attentive environment for each child.
We take a great deal of care to ensure your child’s individual pastoral needs are met and offer a caring, secure environment that instils confidence and self-esteem.
A seamless transition between the Preschool and the College’s three schools provides children with security and stability.
Preschool is the very beginning of your child’s school journey. We make sure your child is prepared for life beyond.
Our pupils also benefit from being part of the Clifton College family and the wrap-around care provision offered across all age groups.
We offer the option of early drop-offs and after-school activities. This provides added flexibility to busy working families and a chance for the children to enjoy time together in their own space.
First-class education
We provide the highest possible standard of education through the quality of our staff, their enthusiasm and commitment.
We help pupils to develop their ability in literacy and numeracy and skills in observation, information-seeking and problem-solving.
Children learn to apply knowledge and skills to unfamiliar situations, cooperating and working productively with others as well as independently.
We don’t have a ‘standard’ way to teach a skill, as each child’s needs are different.
Instead, staff work closely together to ensure that all aspects of a pupil’s school life are discussed and effective teaching programmes are developed.
We believe that a broad all-round education is key to learning. Alongside the core subjects such as Mathematics and English, a strong focus is given to Technology, Art, Music, Drama and Sport, as well as regular visits to our Forest School.
What to expect
Comprehensive curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to provide a well-rounded education.
A broad range of lessons
Children are encouraged to explore their interests and discover new talents through a range of timetabled lessons including music, art, physical education, and languages.
Core subjects
We place an emphasis on literacy and numeracy to build strong foundational skills.
Outdoor learning
Regular sessions at our dedicated Forest School encourage exploration and environmental awareness.
Drama
Clifton College’s strong tradition in drama begins in the Pre-Preparatory School.
Drama helps children to build self-confidence, improve communication skills and express their emotions in a supportive environment. It encourages our pupils to creatively explore meaningful, imaginative situations that parallel with the real world.
Each year, Year 2 and 3 have the exciting opportunity to take part in the school play held at the Redgrave Theatre.
The pupils love performing in their first production with full costumes, lighting and sound. In Year 2 pupils take part in the dance routines and in the chorus and in Year 3 they have lead roles within the play.
As pupils progress through the College, there are many opportunities to continue their involvement with drama both in and outside the classroom. Pupils are encouraged to enjoy and explore performing to whatever level they choose.
Sport
Pupils’ enjoyment in sport complements our all-round education ethos.
As they move up through the Pre-Preparatory School, children participate in three sport lessons per week. Pupils take part in a range of physical activities, including gymnastics, dance and athletics, which help develop balance, agility and coordination.
The children also participate in team games, developing simple tactics for attacking and defending, preparing pupils for sport fixtures in Year 3.
In Year 3, pupils are given the opportunity to represent Clifton in fixtures. Outdoor Games lessons include hockey, netball, tag-rugby, cricket and tennis.
All Pre-Preparatory School pupils have a weekly swimming lesson in our on-site sports centre. The swimming sessions start with building water confidence and safety before progressing to swimming technique.
Music
We place great importance on Music in the Pre-Preparatory School and its benefits to a child’s learning and their emotional and social development.
Our pupils enjoy a wide range of musical activities each week. Our own specialist Pre-Preparatory Music teacher, along with support from Upper School Music pupils and visiting Music teachers, help our children develop a range of skills, including singing, movement and listening skills.
Every child has regular sessions in our well-equipped Music room. In Year 2, all our children learn to play either the violin or cello
during a weekly class lesson with our strings specialist. In Year 3, children learn to play the recorder and read notation.
Singing plays a big part of school life. Our children sing every day in assemblies, in their classrooms, in the playground, and each Friday morning when we invite families to our Fun Friday Sing.
There are many opportunities for children to perform during the school year, such as the Spring Service in the Chapel, the Summer Concerts, Celebration Day and the annual Year 2 and 3 musical play in the Redgrave Theatre.
“Music is Magic”
The motto of Mrs Gillam
A love of reading
Clifton College has a deep commitment to encouraging a lifelong habit of reading for pleasure. This begins with the very youngest pupils in our care.
The Pre-Preparatory School has its own age-specific library, run by a School Librarian who specialises in finding the very best books and resources to encourage a passion for reading.
We organise age-appropriate author and illustrator visits and hold an annual Book Week, a celebration of reading, sharing stories and talking about the books we love.
Learning through play
Our school is full of engaged children who are creatively immersed in their learning.
As well as developing our pupils’ enquiring, investigative minds through our approach to teaching, our children are encouraged to nurture their creative abilities through play.
We believe that children who benefit from a dynamic and exciting play environment will achieve more both in and outside the classroom.
We also encourage our pupils to explore topics through play during lessons. From becoming a knight with a bow and arrow in the Forest School to building a spaceship and becoming an astronaut for the afternoon, we help pupils develop their creativity.
Creative play helps children establish close bonds with their classmates, build social confidence and discover the world around them.
“Not all classrooms have four walls.”
Inspirational environment
Forest School
Our award-winning Forest School comprises a large forest and meadow area where the children learn to appreciate the natural world, enjoy the fresh air and freedom, and are inspired by a wide range of new experiences.
Pupils enjoy a whole host of activities in the forest, including playing games together, learning to use tools, building animal habitats, learning archery skills and hunting
for fossils. Each session ends with a drink and biscuit gathered around the campfire.
Children love going to Forest School and visit regularly in the Pre-Preparatory School. Their visits to the forest have many benefits, such as helping to build confidence, resourcefulness, teamwork and problem solving, and helping to lay the foundations for a life-long passion for the world around us.
Unique spaces
The Pre-Preparatory School captures the imagination of pupils with its exciting and stimulating learning environment.
Situated in three of the many Victorian houses that make up the Clifton College campus, the PrePreparatory School has bright and cheerful learning environments, fully resourced with up-to-date technology and equipment.
Our age-specific library cultivates a love for books and storytelling while our Pre-Preparatory playground provides a relaxed and creative environment, and the Bretton Memorial Hall provides a modern and flexible space for sport, dance and drama. We also have a cookery room and music room and our own age-appropriate library.
Children get a taste of life in the Prep School in Year 3 when they have their own common room with a computer suite, sitting area to relax and socialise, and games area.
The wider College
We share many of the College’s facilities, such as the Redgrave Theatre, the Chellaram Sports Complex at Beggar Bush and the swimming pool.
We also share the impressive College Chapel which provides a place to mark our milestones and celebrate our successes. Like the rest of the College, the Pre-Preparatory School is of an Anglican foundation, although we warmly welcome children of all faiths.
Other facilities on our doorstep include the College’s Joseph Cooper Music School, the Preparatory School Library and the beautiful Grade II Percival Library.
Unforgettable experiences
Encouraging curiosity, creativity and collaboration
No
two days are ever the same
The school calendar includes a number of visits and trips each year. We consider these key to a child’s learning and development.
Educational visits offer a broad range of benefits, including personal and social development, higher engagement with topics, stronger relationships with peers and increased confidence.
These activities capture the imagination of our pupils, from visiting Gothic Revival house Tyntesfield, and dressing up in authentic Victorian costumes, to visiting Penarth Beach, where pupils can hunt for fossils and explore the coastline.
In Year 3, pupils experience their first residential school trip to Kilve Court. They spend two days staying in an education centre and taking part in a range of group activities.
Friends and equals
At Clifton College, children work together to create a happy environment where everyone is valued.
We encourage our pupils to see things from other people’s perspectives, developing their ability to be considerate, compassionate and patient.
Children support each other and build a positive environment that promotes
wellbeing, with Year 3 children holding special responsibilities both in and outside the classroom to support younger children.
We focus on developing key social skills that encourage confidence, communication, sharing and cooperation, and believe that friendships are vital to a child’s healthy development.
“Friendships provide children with more than just playmates.”
Strong pastoral care
Our school is more than just a place for learning. Strong pastoral care is a fundamental asset in securing your child’s happiness.
Nurturing atmosphere
We cultivate an environment where each child develops curiosity, courage and kindness, confident in their ability to take rewarding risks.
Health and food
Our in-house catering team provide balanced and nutritious meals, accommodating various dietary needs to support healthy growth.
Emotional support
Pastoral care is woven into every part of the Pre-Prep, each member of our community is trained to provide tailored guidance and support, helping children navigate social and emotional development.
Happy, safe and healthy
The health and safety of our children is of paramount importance.
We put a firm emphasis on health and self-care throughout the school and provide pupils with a strong understanding of the importance of physical exercise, healthy diet and personal care.
In Preschool, your child’s emotional, physical and developmental needs will be supported from day one by their own individual key person. This person will become a familiar figure to your child and will act as a daily point of contact for you.
We also have a Matron who is present during the school day and is responsible for the welfare of our children, and all staff members undertake regular First Aid training.
All our children eat together in the Bretton Memorial Hall as one big Pre-Prep family.
We encourage eating in a ‘family sitting’ style. We prioritise giving our children the space to learn manners and communicate in a way that promotes sharing with, and caring for, those around the table.
A warm and supportive start Preschool
Preschool education at Clifton College provides a high quality learning experience, giving priority to the development needs and happiness of the children in a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment.
We understand the importance of a child's early experiences in education. Our dedicated and caring staff ensure that each child feels welcomed and valued from their very first day. With small class sizes, we provide personalised attention, allowing us to cater to the unique needs and interests of every child. Our Preschool is a home from home, where your child can feel safe, secure and happy.
“Being part of the Pre-Prep is truly wonderful, as every moment brings the joy of working with enthusiastic, inspiring pupils and dedicated professionals. Each day presents abundant learning opportunities for both the children and myself. Working with young learners ensures that no two days are ever the sameone day, we may be exploring the outdoors at our Forest School, and another, we may be re-enacting stories in the role-play area. What remains constant, however, is the unwavering commitment, compassion, and care that the staff provide to the children. Throughout the year, our exceptional facilities, expansive grounds, and well-equipped buildings offer enriching recreational and educational experiences for pupils, staff and the local community.”
Preschool teacher
A day in the life
The school day begins
Children receive a warm welcome and have time to reconnect with friends, staff and play in their environment.
Circle time
Throughout the day there are opportunities for a circle time, where children come together with staff to explore new learning and share experiences together.
Play-based learning
Children learn best when they are motivated by high quality play opportunities. Throughout the day children have the chance to play and learn inside and outside. Play opportunities are well planned by staff and follow the children’s interests.
Adult-led learning
There are opportunities for children to learn with their friends in small groups guided by staff. For example, each week children participate in a food exploration activity. Over the week, the children will participate in sessions led by specialists teachers e.g. Forest School, PE, Music, French and Swimming.
Eating together
An important part of our day is our shared meal and snack times. Twice a day, children access a healthy snack. During lunchtime, we come together as an EYFS family and we experience eating a variety of foods and engaging meaningful conversations.
Wider school
As children grow, they begin to participate in wider Pre-Prep School activities. For example, World Book Day, EYFS assemblies, House Song at the Redgrave Theatre, visits to the Pre-Prep library and author visits.
Forest school
Children enjoy regular visits to our Forest School sites, following their interests and learning about the world around them.
The school day ends
Children have time to come together and reflect upon their day and share in the magic of listening to a story.
A personalised learning experience Reception
In an informal yet structured setting, children are encouraged to develop at their own pace and acquire self-confidence and independence in a stimulating environment. We help pupils to develop enquiring, investigative minds, with wonder-filled days and children who feel championed.
With small class sizes, we ensure each child receives individualised attention, allowing our experienced teachers to build strong, supportive relationships with every pupil. This approach encourages confidence and a willingness to embrace new challenges.
“I
chose to send my children to Clifton College because they could start in Reception and be here all the way until their A Levels. The passion that I felt from the staff, that was one of the reasons I ended up choosing Clifton College.”
Reception parent
A day in the life
The school day begins
Children receive a warm welcome and have time to reconnect with friends, play in their environment and participate in early morning activities.
Adult-led learning
Throughout the day, children engage in adult led sessions where learning is led by the guidance set out in the Early Years Framework. Sessions include Phonics, Maths, Reading, Writing/mark making and the wider curriculum. During the week, children will participate in sessions led by specialist teachers e.g. Forest School, PE, Music, French and Swimming.
Play-based learning
Children learn best when they are motivated by high quality play opportunities. Throughout the day children have the chance to play and learn inside and outside. Play opportunities are well planned by staff and follow the children’s interests.
Eating together
An important part of our day is our shared meal and snack times. Twice a day children access a healthy snack. During lunchtime, we come together as an EYFS family and we experience eating a variety of foods and engaging meaningful conversations.
Wider school
Over the year, children will participate in wider Pre-Prep activities. For example, Commemoration Day, World Book Day, House Song at the Redgrave, visits to the Pre-Prep library, author visits and participation in weekly assemblies, e.g EYFS and celebration assemblies.
Forest school
Children visit our enchanting Forest School weekly, exploring their imagination in an outdoor setting, expanding on their learning in class and developing team-building skills.
The school day ends
Children have time to come together and reflect upon their day and share in the magic of listening to a story.
Engaging and supportive learning Years 1 - 3
In the Pre-Prep we recognise that every child is unique and create a stimulating and varied curriculum that meets the needs of all our pupils. Years 1-3 are an exciting time in the Pre-Prep, where children aged 5 to 8 can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
We believe that a fun, happy, and caring environment is essential for effective learning. Our dedicated teachers employ creative and interactive teaching methods to make learning enjoyable and meaningful. Small class sizes allow for personalised attention, ensuring that each child’s unique needs and potential are recognised and nurtured.
A world of opportunities Discover new talents and interests
After school clubs
We offer a wide variety of activities at the end of the school day. These cater for different interests and give children opportunities to make friends and develop new skills and passions.
Community engagement
Opportunities to participate in local events and charitable initiatives foster a sense of responsibility and empathy.
A seamless transition to the Prep School
As children move up through the school, we ensure a smooth progression to the next stage of their education.
Familiarisation activities
Throughout Year 3, children have regular interactions with pupils and staff from the Prep School. This includes attending Prep assemblies, joining Years 4,5 and 6 for playtimes and spending time with Year 4 staff.
Parental involvement
We maintain open communication, offering guidance and support to families throughout this period.
A day in the life
The school day begins
Children are welcomed to school by a member of staff and participate in early morning activities alongside their peers. In Year 3 children have the opportunity to spend time in the Year 3 common, library or classrooms.
Lessons
All learning is driven by a meaningful and engaging cross curricular approach. Every morning children engage in high quality English and Maths lessons. Afternoon lessons range from Music, Computing, Art, Science, PE, Games, Swimming, Languages and much more.
Eating together
An important part of our day is our shared meal and snack times. Twice a day children access a healthy snack. During lunchtime, we come together as a Pre-Prep family and we experience eating a variety of foods and engaging in meaningful conversations.
Playtimes
During the morning and the afternoon, children take a pause in their learning for playtime. Children are free to play and to mix with friends across the Pre-Prep in our adventurous playground.
Library
The Pre-Prep has a wonderful age-specific Library which children visit weekly. Here they can borrow books to enjoy at home.
Forest school
Throughout the term, children visit our enchanting Forest School exploring their imaginations in an outdoor setting, expanding on their learning in class and developing team-building skills.
Specialist teachers
Over the week, the children will participate in lessons led by specialist teachers. These include PE, games, music, French and swimming. Children in Year 2 will learn to play the cello or violin, whilst children in Year 3 will learn to play the recorder alongside their weekly music lesson. In games lessons, children will learn the skills of attack and defence throughout different team games, in preparation for representing the Pre-Prep in fixtures against other schools during Year 3.
The school day ends
Children have time to come together and reflect upon their day and share in the magic of listening to a story.
A sense of community
We pride ourselves on our strong engagement with our parents and the wider community.
We encourage parents, grandparents and other family members to come to our regular events such as class assemblies, sports fixtures and festivals, coffee mornings, music concerts, swimming galas and school plays, so that they get a real feel of school life at Clifton College.
Alongside a daily message book, regular school announcements and an annual school magazine, parents also receive a Pre-Preparatory e-newsletter each week.
The school also enjoys strong links with the local community and has robust connections with a diverse range of Bristol businesses.
Flexible support for busy families
Morning care
Drop your child off as early as 7:30am, where they can enjoy a light breakfast and socialise with friends before the school day begins.
After school care
Following the end of the normal school day at 4:00pm, your child can participate in a variety of engaging clubs and activities until 6:00pm.
A light tea is also provided during this time.
Admissions information
To discover more and get a real feel for what’s on offer, we would be delighted to welcome you and your family to one of our Open Days, or for an individual visit on a mutually convenient date.
An individual visit will be tailored to you, based on your child’s interests, and will incorporate a campus tour with the opportunity to visit classrooms and see our facilities in action. Our Pre-Prep Deputy Head and other relevant staff members will be available to meet with you during your visit, to answer any questions you may have regarding life at Clifton College.
To find out more, or to arrange a visit, please contact our Admissions Team who would be happy to guide you through the process.
Email: prepadmissions@cliftoncollege.com
Telephone: (+44) 0117 3157 160
Online:
Search Pre-Prep admissions on our website www.cliftoncollege.com
A guide to fees
What’s included
The fees cover all the teaching that takes place in the ordinary course of education.
However, there are additional charges associated with co-curricular and other activities, specifically, the cost of providing Learning Support or English as an Additional Language, if this is applicable to your child.
Reduction for siblings
A reduction of the net school fee (but not extras) is currently provided to parents who have two children or more at Clifton College.
The reductions, which are applied to the younger children, are 5% for the second child, 20% for the third child and 50% for the fourth and subsequent children whilst they all simultaneously attend the school. This discount remains the subject of annual review.
For more details, search for fees information on our website www.cliftoncollege.com
A guide to the process
Getting started
Discover Clifton College
Arrange a personal tour, join a Little Explorers session or come along to one of our Open Events.
Register your child
Complete the online registration process to register your child for entry to Clifton College. www.cliftoncollege.com/pre-prep-school/ admissions/apply-now
Come for a taster day
Your child is invited to visit the Pre-Prep for an informal visit and to spend time with their year group.
Offers and next steps
Accept your place
A formal written offer letter will be sent to you by our admissions team.
What next?
Our admissions team will be in regular contact to ensure a smooth and welcoming start, and provide your family with all of the information you need.
Welcome to Clifton College!
Your child’s exciting new journey begins.
