Issuu

HANDCROSS PARK

BE TR EWE

HANDCROSS PARK A

B R I G H T O N

THE

C O L L E G E

SECRET

GARDEN

S C H O O L

Welcome

From the Head

The moment you step through the gates into our walled ‘Secret Garden’, you know you are somewhere very special. Small class sizes are important to us and each class has a teacher and teaching assistant, ensuring plenty of opportunity for every individual child to be closely nurtured and grow.

Our Pre-Prep and Nursery Department is a vibrant and engaging place for children aged 2 – 7. Our welcoming and friendly environment, purpose-built buildings and idyllic walled garden offer a perfect nurturing environment full of opportunities to develop and extend your child’s interests, strengths and passions.

The Secret Garden is located right next to the Prep School, meaning all their facilities are just a hop, skip and jump away - heated swimming pool, sports hall, astro, Science laboratories, Art rooms and of course the magnificent rural grounds where outdoor learning and forest school take place. It really is a wonderful canvas for providing the very best start for your child.

We value the importance of developing the whole child, fostering ‘childhood’ and a deep ‘love of learning’. Traditional values are combined with a curriculum focused on high academic standards, to ensure every child reaches their potential. We aim to equip children with the skills and confidence they will need to succeed on whichever future path they choose. Our inspiring and caring teachers are passionate about bringing learning to life, taking the children on a voyage of discovery and adventure. Seeing the children skip so happily down the path every morning is testament to how well our approach works.

Pennie Parry Head of Pre-Prep & Nursery

It’s impossible to resist the happiness of this place The Good Schools Guide

A culture

of kindness

Kindness is at the very heart of our school and part of our day to day teaching and learning. From the moment pupils arrive in our Nursery they are seen helping each other to get dressed, pouring each other milk and caring for our chickens and plants in the garden. As children grow through the Pre-Prep, we follow the golden rules of kindness, working hard, being our best selves and developing a sense of responsibility for everyone and everything else around us. Children are paired with buddies across the school to share in their learning and grow their positive

relationship skills. We also build an awareness of kindness that extends beyond school and home and into the community. Individual moments of kindness both in and out of school are celebrated daily and a responsibility towards others and our planet is nurtured through assemblies, class topics and kindness events throughout the year. We also have daily recognition of individual moments of kindness both in and out of school.

Pastoral care is a particular strength at Handcross The Good Schools Guide

A love

of learning

Children in our Secret Garden enjoy a rich curriculum full of creativity and theme-based learning. Most importantly, learning is enjoyable and purposeful at every step of the way. Academic standards and expectations are high, alongside the development of the child as a whole, and we take great pleasure in celebrating children’s achievements.

Individual attention and small class sizes enable children to thrive. Imaginative teaching not only creates a growth of confidence and self-esteem, but also enables each child to achieve their very best, preparing them academically and socially for the highly anticipated move into our Prep School.

Children are naturally curious and we feed this with our creative approach to learning. We focus on creating memorable learning opportunities and taking the children on a journey, so they are excited and engaged in their learning every day.

Simply magical - an enchanting place for your children to grow Tatler Schools Guide

Our

Nursery

Graded as ‘Outstanding’ in our most recent ISI inspection and shortlisted for ‘Early Years Setting of the Year’ at the prestigious TES Awards, our Nursery is made up of two classes: Little Owls (ages 2 - 3) and Wise Owls (rising 4s). Our caring and inspiring teachers create a secure and happy environment, enabling children to thrive. It really is the perfect start to your child’s education, giving them a great head start as they move into our Reception classes.

of the Prep School also means the children can enjoy woodland walks and nature trails across our rural site, as well as weekly swimming lessons in our heated pool and sports using our hall, astro and pitches. We are very flexible in our Nursery, and can accommodate children for full or half-day sessions, with or without lunch. Our wraparound care offers care for your child from 7.45am to 6pm, 50 weeks of the year.

Inspiring and engaging classrooms lead out to dedicated outdoor spaces for each Nursery class. There are chickens, mud kitchens, vegetable beds and a bespoke outdoor area, where the children can learn, play and grow through the seasons. Being part

Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage make anexcellent start and flourish in the warm, welcoming environment Independent Schools Inspectorate

Our

Pre-Prep

Step under the archway, through the gate and enter the busy and colourful world of our Pre-Prep. Children and parents are captivated by the happy chatter and vibrant atmosphere of our exciting and friendly Pre-Prep. Our school day in the Pre-Prep offers flexibility during term time to suit busy families and also to cater for the differing interests and energy levels of the children.The core part of the school day provides an excellent balance of learning through work and play both in the classroom, around the wonderful setting of the Secret Garden and within the superb facilities and grounds of the Prep School.

We offer a broad curriculum, delivered by wellqualified and inspiring teachers. After school activities to interest all children include dance, football, choir, cookery, yoga, sewing and many more. Children develop a respect for themselves, for others and the world around them in our unique and memorable setting.

A magical place of willow arches, cherry trees and every sort of adventure equipment The Good Schools Guide