Preparatory Department

Tim O'Connell
Head of the Preparatory Department

Welcome to the Preparatory Department, educating children aged between seven and eleven years (Year 3-6). 

We receive pupils from the Pre-Preparatory Department, allow them to develop over four years and then we pass them on to the Senior Department ready to prepare for the rigours of GCSE and A Level.

The Preparatory Department is based in Clough House, an old boarding house at the heart of the school campus. The building is well equipped for modern day education; each classroom has an interactive whiteboard and we have our own designated art, music, ICT and cookery rooms, as well as grass and hard-standing playground areas and play equipment.

Our aim is to develop the range and breadth of every child.  All of our pupils represent the school at sport, they all sing in the Choir , they all perform in concerts and all pupils have a role in the annual Preparatory Department productions. 

We expect every child to demonstrate good manners throughout the school day. Every child knows adults are there to help; every child understands that academic work is the norm.

We offer each child the opportunity to learn an instrument, take singing lessons, make friends across year groups, take Speech and Drama lessons and play conkers in the playground.

I hope the children will go home at the end of each day with the same smile with which they arrive; I want children to enjoy their education, experience as much as possible and want to tell parents about their activities from that day. I would welcome the opportunity to meet you and to show you around the Preparatory Department, please do come and see me.

Tim O’Connell
Head of Preparatory Department.