Parsons Green Prep Prospectus

Parsons Green Prep was rated ‘Excellent’, the highest rating, for pupils’ academic and other achievements, and pupil’s personal development, in the school’s most recent 2022 Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspection.

Welcome

Parsons Green Prep is a selective, co-educational, independent prep school for children aged 4 to 11, with a sole proprietor. The beautiful buildings and playgrounds have been designed to facilitate successful learning, friendships, pupils’ wellbeing and a sense of school community. The high quality of teaching and a curriculum designed to inspire and challenge ensures that every child thrives academically, builds strong foundations of learning and develops key personal skills for lifelong success and a smooth transition to selective senior schools in London and further afield.

“The pupils’ attitudes to learning are excellent. They have extremely well-developed work habits and a positive approach to learning.” – ISI

While success at 11+ remains a key focus throughout your child’s time with us, it is by no means the only one. We are equally driven to instil in everyone an appreciation of the wider world and their place within it. We want children to have a deep understanding of broader culture, from stories and traditions from around the world to history, geography, religion and ethics. Formal lessons are complemented by a strong programme of events and outside speakers throughout the year. This programme of cultural literacy brings many benefits: it shines a light on the richness of the world outside school; it helps to develop higher order thinking skills; it provides our children with stimulating and varied opportunities for personal development.

STEAM

As a specialist subject throughout the school, PGP recognises that STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) has unlimited potential to equip our children with lifelong learning skills. The children are taught the engineering design process, encouraged to question everything, leave no possibility unexplored and flip problems on their metaphorical heads until the most effective solution is found.

As well as problem solving, STEAM lessons provide infinite opportunities for teamwork, debate, compromise and critical thinking, articulating their thoughts and discovering new passions along the way.

At PGP we believe that it is essential for our children’s interests to be reflected in their learning, which is why we have designed a curriculum that is as malleable and limitless as the very children that we teach.

“From the earliest age, pupils display high levels of self-confidence and self-esteem”

2022 ISI Inspection report

Our Reception setting is safe, creative and nurturing. Our overarching aim is to develop a love of learning and to instil the habits of mind which ensure future academic success. Curiosity and lateral thinking are encouraged; experimentation and persistence are celebrated. Against this backdrop we work hard on literacy and numeracy but allow plenty of time to learn, discover and flourish through play.

Early Years Foundation Stage Progression from Early Years

We monitor pupil progress using both standardised assessments and teacher judgment. Together they allow us to track progress from year to year and to identify children for whom extra support or extension activities may be suitable. Regular meetings take place to discuss progress and to refine future lesson planning.

“Chess is huge here, deliberately encouraged to develop logical thinking.” – Good Schools Guide

At PGP we encourage children in Years 1 and 2 to learn how to play chess. We promote progress by developing the children’s independence, which in turn is created by enhancing their knowledge of the rules, tactics and several special moves. During Chess Club these children will be able to play plenty of matches with their friends, participate in healthy competition and eventually take part in chess tournaments from Year 3 up to Year 6.

Music and performing arts

“Pupils’ personal development is excellent and they are extremely happy at school.” – Good Schools Guide

Music and drama are key components of the cultural life of the school. For the former, children are taught musical theory, notation and singing as a class each week by a specialist music teacher. The children are also invited to join the school choir. In addition, we offer a wide range of individual music instrumental lessons. All pupils regularly perform to their parents in assemblies and concerts. Dramatic opportunities are many, ranging from class performances, poetry recitals and plays to musical productions. For those wishing to develop their acting skills further, we have professional actors in school who provide London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) classes.

Sports

“A good and varied syllabus with much specialist teaching, including music and sports.”

– Good Schools Guide

The children are involved in a wide range of competitive sporting activities including tennis, netball, tag rugby, football, hockey, swimming, cricket, athletics, dance and gymnastics.

Houses

“Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils is excellent.” – ISI

Upon entry to the school, children are assigned to one of four houses – Attenborough, Earhart, Shackleton or Williams. Every house has a house captain. Nominations for the two Heads of School are made by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

The house names and emblems have a special resonance with the pupils at PGP. The pupils chose the people that best represent their aspirations and the ethos of the school. They also designed the flags. Each house competes in competitive sports, music and enterprise events, which contribute to the House Cup, as well as taking part in fundraising and raising awareness for their chosen local charity.

Clubs

We provide an exceptional clubs and activities programme, with many after school that give ample opportunity for pupils to participate in aesthetic, creative and physical interests. These include football, ballet, Irish dancing, table tennis, baking, computing, Young Engineers, debating and chess, to name a few.

Residential trips

Trips and excursions provide a very valuable educational experience, whether complementing something already on the syllabus or else showing the children something completely new.

While Reception may enjoy a very brief outing to the local fire station, later years may be away for a night or two enjoying outdoor adventures and challenges. By Year 6 children will spend the best part of a week in the Isle of Wight.

Photo credit:

We hope you have enjoyed reading our prospectus and we look forward to seeing you in the future.

Parsons Green Prep is a member of the Independent Schools Association (ISA) and the Independent Associations of Prep Schools (IAPS). This prospectus describes the main principles on which the school is presently run. The prospectus is not part of any agreement between parents and the school.