RECEPTION, YEAR 1 & Y EAR 2
“It’s hard to put into words just how special this school is, it simply has a touch of magic. Seeing is believing.”
PARENT OF CUNDALL MANOR PUPIL, 2023
Welcome
We are a thriving independent school situated on a magnificent 28-acre site in an idyllic part of North Yorkshire. Cundall pupils enjoy fresh air and plenty of room in which to learn, play and enjoy their childhood.
We are a thriving independent school on a magnificent 28-acre site in an idyllic part of North Yorkshire. Cundall pupils enjoy fresh air and plenty of room in which to learn, play and enjoy their childhood.
Cundall embraced co-education in the 1980s. Our staff therefore have significant experience in managing the education of boys and girls through the challenging phases of their adolescence so that they are well prepared and adjusted for life beyond the school gates.
A Cundall education is holistic and characterbased with an equal focus on the academic, active and creative. Our small class sizes enable us to challenge and support each other as we build our best future. Our vision is to be a school where pupils thrive and flourish as they experience the excitement and enjoyment of learning. We guide pupils towards reaching their full potential as passionate and innovative problem solvers, ready to contribute to society. At Cundall Manor, children can be strong and sure of who they are and what they can achieve. They can be ambitious and brave, unafraid of failure. Our children can be enterprising, inventive, and playful while being confident, thoughtful, inquisitive, and supportive of each other. Our extensive grounds, green spaces and woodlands foster exploration and discovery whether it is during Outdoor Education, break times or when we take learning outside of the classroom. Children develop sporting excellence through an extensive timetable as they transition through the school. Alongside daily dedicated Enrichment time, pupils are encouraged to explore their interests, build confidence and are afforded time to develop their strengths.
We are a close-knit community, and we are proud of our family atmosphere. Our pupils feel supported and valued, and we have always been fortunate to have such a dedicated supportive parent body alongside a committed team of teaching staff and governors, who all make Cundall the warm, vibrant, and inclusive school it is.
The school social calendar allows for ample opportunities for parents to feel part of their children’s Cundall education. Throughout the year there are parent evenings and formal and informal reports about your child’s progress. Teachers are on hand at all times to meet with parents. A weekly newsletter offers a flavour of the wide range of activities being enjoyed across the school. We take particular pride in the outstanding reputation that Cundall Manor enjoys and our impressive academic results. Our pupils are therefore well prepared for the next stage of their academic and personal development. We encourage all families considering Cundall Manor to come and visit our highly distinctive school and find out for yourself why educating your child the Cundall way is so special.
Mr Simon Weale Headmaster
Pre-Prep
Cundall Pre-Prep is a very happy place, full of energetic, confident and kind little people eager to learn and explore. As they progress through the PrePrep phase, they enjoy a gentle introduction to specialist subject teachers, enriching their learning experience and seamlessly building upon their Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning
Our Pre-Prep Department is structured into two key stages: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 (KS1)
EYFS includes our Nursery and Reception classes, welcoming children from 2 years old through to age 5.
KS1 encompasses Years 1 and 2, supporting children aged 5–7 as they continue their academic journey.
During playtime, children from Nursery to Year 2 share a communal play area, fostering friendships across year groups. For our older pupils in Years 1 and 2, a designated play area with more challenging apparatus encourages active play and skill development. Our beautiful rural setting provides ample space to run, explore, and enjoy nature, including the orchard, mini astro, and surrounding meadow.
Our Reception classrooms are designed to spark curiosity, with ever-changing, hands-on activities that promote engagement and learning. A dedicated covered outdoor play area extends into a larger, safe play environment, where children can move freely between indoor and outdoor learning spaces.
For Years 1 and 2, the ‘Brick’ building includes four spacious classrooms and a central entrance hall that is used for weekly assemblies and our Star Worker presentations. A dedicated quiet zone provides an ideal setting for one-onone reading sessions and targeted learning interventions.
At Cundall Pre-Prep, we nurture a love for learning, encouraging every child to grow in confidence, independence, and curiosity.
“Our pupils engage with experiences beyond their comfort zone”
PRE-PREP TEACHER, 2024
Reception
Children begin their school careers in Reception with our nurturing staff who ensure that they feel welcome and cared for, and as a result pupils quickly get used to the more formal school routine and the new learning environment.
The two Reception classrooms are designed to be fun and inviting with a wide and changing range of stimulating activities to encourage curiosity and engagement. Our Reception children are given daily opportunities to explore and investigate in free-play situations alongside their more formal teaching. Washing and toilet facilities are easily accessible for the children and they enjoy healthy snacks and lunch together in the dining room in Main School. Whatever the weather conditions, our children always play outside.
Most lessons are taught in the Reception area. They have Music, Singing, French, Tennis and Swimming taught by specialist teachers. A weekly session in the Wild Acre Wood provides a wonderful Forest School experience with the children getting close to nature. To further enhance their curriculum, the children are often taken on outings to local places of interest at least once a term. Reception attends PrePrep assemblies and occasional whole-school assemblies and gatherings as part of the wider school community allowing them to enjoy interacting with the older children.
Our small class sizes ensure that each child is given individual attention, so they feel valued and supported. We foster positive relationships between home and school by welcoming parents in and having the staff available each day to discuss news, welfare, or education. Organisational skills are encouraged so that children undertake personal responsibility and independence.
Reception Enrichment opportunities
Reception children are welcome to participate in the Pre-Prep Enrichment programme which runs after school each evening from 3.20pm - 4pm, booked in advance at the start of term with your child’s teacher. After-school clubs include activities such as Dancing, Gymnastics, Bushcraft, Drama, Ball skills, Construction, STEAM Challenges and Sports Clubs. The wide variety of activities on offer through our enrichment programme are designed to ensure all pupils have the opportunity to try their hand at or develop skills beyond the normal academic, artistic and sporting curriculum.
After School Club for Reception (4-6pm)
We can provide care for children between 4pm and 6pm each evening through our After School Club. This can either be pre-booked at the start of every term or on an ad hoc basis by emailing your child’s class teacher. There is no additional charge for this provision for children in Reception. These sessions are held in the Pre-Prep buildings with our older children (up to Year 2) and a sandwich snack is provided at 4.45pm.
Taught by Subject Specialists
Friday Early Bird/ Registration Phonics/ Handwriting/ English French/ Continuous provision Maths
Registration & Story time Tennis/Continuous provision Show and tell 2:45-3:00 Star Worker Assembly
Thursday Early Bird/ Registration
Phonics/Handwriting/ English Snack & Continuous provision Maths
Wednesday Early Bird/ Registration
Phonics/Handwriting/English Snack & Continuous provision Maths
Tuesday Early Bird/ Registration
Phonics/Handwriting/English Snack & Continuous provision Maths 11-11.45 Music
Lunch/Playtime
Registration & Story time PSHE
Registration & Story time PE
Topic/ Continuous provision
Topic/ Continuous provision
Snack and Story Time
Monday Early Bird/ Registration Assembly
Phonics/Handwriting/English Snack & Continuous provision Maths
Registration & Story time Swimming
Continuous provision & small group work Singing
Registration & Story time Wild Wood Art
8:30-8:45 8:45-9:30 9:30-9:45 9:45-10:45 10:45-11:45 11:45-12:50 12:50-1:00 1:00-1:30 1:30-2:00 2:00-2:30 2:30-3:00 3:00-3:20
Years 1 & 2
Years 1 and 2 follow a structured timetable taught primarily by their Form Tutors within the PrePrep building. These core curriculum lessons include Maths, English, Science, Topic, ICT (we have Chromebooks for every child in Pre-Prep), PSHE, and Religious Studies. In addition, music and language teachers introduce Singing and French to the timetable. The children also move to other classrooms in the Main School building for Art, Music, Sport (PE), and Swimming, and across to our natural woodland—Wild Acre Wood—for outdoor learning. Our young Pre-Prep children are therefore immersed in the very fabric of their school, using the outdoor sports fields, the dining hall, and the gym facilities.
Small class sizes ensure that each child receives individual attention, making them feel valued and supported. We have a dedicated Learning Support Department offering tailored assistance to our young learners based on assessments and pupil needs.
Extracurricular and enrichment choices are available from 3:20 – 4:00 pm each day. Activities vary from term to term and include Sport, Singing, Music, Construction, ICT, Swimming, Mindfulness, Parachute Games, Bushcraft, Art, Horse Riding, STEAM Challenges, Netball, Ball Skills, Yoga, Dance, and much more!
Year 1 and Year 2 children have varied, timetabled games every week, with Swimming, Tennis, and PE lessons once a week. They also have the opportunity to swim twice a week if they choose Swimming as their after-school enrichment activity. Pre-Prep children enjoy taking part in the Whole School events such as the Charity Fun Run and Chocolate Cake Race in the Lent Term.
Through these enriching experiences, children build confidence and become engaged, happy learners with positive mindsets.
The school’s mission is the pursuit of outstanding academic outcomes for all students.
Strong Values
In Pre-Prep we promote independence and organisation as much as possible, e.g. children are encouraged to independently dress/undress for playtime, sport, swimming and Wild Acre Wood lessons. They are aware of their timetable and order of lessons, and what is required so that they can take more ownership of being prepared and organised, promoting forward thinking and planning. We have a Pre-Prep Pupil Voice meeting each half term to hear from the pupils about all aspects of their school life.
PSHE lessons are vital for understanding relationships, caring, sharing, working together, being responsible, rewards and consequences, having positive attitudes, healthy living/eating, celebrating diversity and encouraging dreams and goals.
Lunch is in the Main School dining hall from 11.50am and all Pre-Prep children dine together. Table manners and etiquette are promoted from a very early age.
Meet our Staff
Early Years Lead Teacher
Reception class teacher
Mrs Nickie Sample BA (Hons) QTS
KS1 Lead/ Year 2 Form Teacher
Mrs Adelle Rogerson
Year 2 Form Teacher
Mrs Hilary Hunt
Reception Teaching Assistant
Mrs Rachel Whatley BSc (Hons) EYPS
Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Mrs Joanne Feeley
Year 1 Form Teacher
Mrs Kylie Potter
Teaching Assistant
Mrs Liz Mawdsley
Subject Specialists
MUSIC TEACHER
Mrs Sarah Reece
ART TEACHER
Mr Simon Vale
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Mr Stuart Jackson
GAMES TEACHER
Miss Jemma Holden
GAMES TEACHER
Mr Nick James
SWIMMING TEACHER
Mrs Adelle Rogerson
LANGUAGES
Mrs Emma Castle-Smith
Taught by Subject Specialists
Trips & Social Events
MICHAELMAS TERM
SEPTEMBER
• Informal Parents’ Meetings
• School Photographs
• Harvest Festival at Cundall Church
• Outdoor Fire of London Workshop (Y1)
LEN T T ER M
APRIL
• Annual Easter Egg competition and East Bonnet Parade
• School Team photographs
• Easter Discos
OCTOBER
S U M M ER T ER M
MAY
• The Annual Go-Kart race
• Summer Fair
• Yorkshire Wildlife Park
• Scarecrow Festival
• Pumpkin Competition
• House Conker Competition
• Halloween Disco
• Habitat Trip (Y2)
• Handwriting Week (Y1&2)
MARCH
• ‘ We Love Reading’ week
• World Book Day
• Red Nose Day
• Life Centre, Bristish Science Week
• Parents’ Meeting
JUNE
• Lavender Park
• Sports Day
• The Cundall Summer Ball
• Buddy Up Transition Days
• Skipton Castle (Year 2)
• Children in Need Fancy Dress
• Christmas Fair NOVEMBER
FEBRUARY
DECEMBER
• Harlow Carr (Y1)
• Lambing Live, Monk
JULY
• Speech Day
• Nativity Performance at Galtres Centre, Easingworld (Y1&2)
• Pantomime Trip to Harrogate
• Christmas Fun Day
• The Whole School Carol Service at Ripon Cathedral
JANUARY
• Whole School Chocolate Cake Race
• STEMbotics Workshop
• Back in Time day
• Annual School Outing to Beadnell Sands in Northumberland for all our Pre-Prep and Prep School children. Parents are most welcome to come along and enjoy a fabulous day out at the beach.
Monitoring and Reporting
At Cundall Manor, we appreciate every child has unique skills and strengths and our aims isto ensure every child fulfils their full potential. Through a nuture and support, stretch and challenge framework we facilitate opportunities which support continued growth.
In Nursery and Reception, our pupils learn through play and their ability in key skill areas is assessed in line with the Department for Education, Early Learning Goals. In Years 2 to 11, pupils are assessed in line with national averages in cognitive ability areas, such as verbal, non-verbal, spatial and quantitative skills. This is done using an online suite of problem-solving tasks that feel like fun but give us great insight into how our pupils learn, as well as their potential ability.
In addition to this, our teachers have a database of criteria within age-related expectations in English and Maths in Years 1 to 6 and all subjects from Years 7 to 11. These are used to determine their potential and current attainment each half term. This data is then used to identify pupils to provide further support and challenge opportunities.
This type of assessment is not uncommon in schools, but how we actively engage with the data and the way we can track progress across Years 2 to 11 is far less common and something we’re especially proud of.
Parent & Teacher Meetings
Parents are welcome to meet informally with their child’s teachers at any time. They can also request a formal meeting should they feel that this would be helpful, and staff will always aim to meet with parents within 48 hours of such a request.
Parents are invited to meet formally with their child’s class teacher in the Lent term. Parent meeting days are published in the school calendar and parents are asked to ‘sign up’ to choose an appointment time.
Formal Written Reports
Reports are issued at the end of the Michaelmas and Summer terms and are a means of communicating to parents details about the academic progress of pupils, their contribution to the school’s extra-curricular programme, and their overall personal development. The Reports also include a colour-coded ‘Flight Path’ system that demonstrates the child’s Potential, Attainment, Progress and Attitude to Learning levels.
Supporting learning at home
EYFS parents and carers can track their child’s progress through ‘Tapestry.’ In our Reception classes, parents can help their children prepare for ‘Show and Tell’ sessions. Reading materials and reading records for tracking progress are sent home daily, encouraging regular practice. Occasionally, handwriting tasks or Maths problems may also be provided.
For Years 1 & 2, daily reading materials and reading records continue to support learning at home. Additionally, spellings are set at the start of each week and tested the following Monday.
We appreciate every child has unique skills and strengths. Our broad and balanced curriculum offers exciting opportunities for active and personalised learning to stretch and challenge each pupil to fulfil their full potential.
“Pupils enjoy a Blyton-esque life at this nursery through-to-GCSE school”
TATLER 2023
Bus Routes
More stops available upon request. What3words offer precise locations.
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2024-2025 Bus Runs
Masham Bus
Northallerton
Tontine/ Hutton Rudby Bus
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All children using our school bus service arrive at school for 8.30am and catch the bus home at 5pm. Please note there is no bus service on a Wednesday afternoon. All our pupils from Reception upwards may request a place on the school bus, with younger pupils requiring a car seat to be provided by parents.
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Children are expected to be well behaved on our school buses and listen to the bus driver at all times. Please note that priority for places on the bus is given to termly users.
For more information about routes, times and availability, please email bus@cundallmanor.org.uk
Important information
Medical needs
If your child requires medication at school, please see your child’s teacher for a permission to administer medicine form.
Our school kitchen has a Nut Free policy and all our meals are homemade on site. If your child has any food allergies, please notify our school nurse, Mrs Lee and complete a Care Plan form for your child.
Accidents are recorded digitally via our Engage portal. Trained first aiders will treat your child and complete an accident record including details of any treatment which is then sent to parents through Engage. In emergency situations, we will contact you and the relevant services immediately.
Please feel free to confidentially discuss any concerns you have regarding your child’s health with our School Nurse, Mrs Lee. vickylee@cundallmanor.org.uk
01423 360 920
If your child is asthmatic, we will need a spare inhaler to be held at school together with a care plan form - Mrs Lee will be in touch with you regarding this.
Any child who has suffered from a fever, vomiting or diarrhoea should be kept at home for 48 hours after the symptoms cease, to avoid infecting others.
Food and drinks
Fresh drinking water is available at any time. Pre-Prep provides healthy snacks in the morning and afternoon sessions. Our lunchtime menu plans are published in the weekly school newsletter. Sandwiches are provided at 4.45pm for children who are at school later.
Children with additional needs or disabilities
As part of the wider school, we have a Learning Support Department who work closely with the key workers and class teachers to help ensure early identification of any support that may be required.
Daily Routine in Pre-Prep
The Pre-Prep doors open at 8.30am. Children can arrive between 8.30am and 8.45am. When arriving, your child will be welcomed by the teachers. The school day finishes at 3.20pm. Enrichment options run from 3:20-4pm. After school club is available from 4-5pm and 5-6pm. Breakfast club is also available from 7.30am. Early club is booked in advance and is available from 8.15am.
Car Parking
Cundall is easily accessible via the A19, A1 and the M1. We have an excellent provision for car parking but please take care when dropping off and collecting your child. We have policies and procedures in place for all eventualities. Please inform our staff if you think you will be late.
Uniform
Uniform can be purchased from the school shop via the link on the school website. A list of uniform requirements will be shared with you by the admissions department upon registration. All Pre-Prep children will need a named waterproof coat, waterproof over-trousers and wellies for outdoor play as we venture out into the fresh air in all weathers.
Absence Notification
It is a legal requirement for us to keep a daily attendance register. If your child is unwell or absent for any reason, please notify the School Office or your child’s teacher/Key Person by 8.45am.
Permission for your child to be absent from school during school hours for a non-medical reason must be requested in advance via email: hmpa@cundallmanor.org.uk
If you have permission for your child to leave school during school hours, they should verbally “sign out” with their class teacher or Key Person.
Policies
Pre-Prep Phase-specific policies are all available upon request from the school office. There are additional policies relating to the wider school available online at cundallmanorschool.com
Financial Queries
The Business Office is happy to assist with any queries regarding School Fees or funding requirements.
Contact details
In order to receive information from school it is vital to check that your correct contact details are on our database and kept up to date. We are proud of our commitment to open communication with parents and the wider community. The school parent portal, Engage, has a calendar function that helps parents keep track of all of the amazing activities and events at our school.
Please follow us on our Facebook & Instagram social pages for more frequent updates: /cundallmanor /cundallsports /cundallmanordofe
“Pupils’ attitudes to learning are excellent. Their love of learning is palpable”
