Curriculum

English at Wandsworth Prep is for our pupils to develop a love of reading and writing.

To develop a love of reading, all children need access to high-quality text; therefore, our rigorous programme of daily phonics from Reception to Year 2 ensures decoding and fluency. Our daily Shared Reading in Lower School and Guided Reading sessions from Year 2 to Year 6 offer a wonderfully warm environment to discuss and analyse texts.

Spelling is taught through a comprehensive spelling programme which runs throughout the school, and we strongly believe in embedding these spelling strategies as part of our daily writing. Writing should be a stimulating experience. We want our pupils to view themselves as authors from an early age, and we use our Growth Mindset learning environment to draft, share, edit and improve until we can publish and share our writing as authors throughout the school.

Technical accuracy is an integral part of our writing, and we embed this within our writing lessons in the same way sub-editors do when editing authors’ first drafts. All pupils have a wide variety of stimuli – from high-quality texts to the use of film and drama. Regular drama workshops in all classes enable pupils to enter the world of a story and bring depth and emotion to a pupil’s writing once they have experienced a dilemma in a workshop.

Find out more about Drama at Wandsworth Prep here.

Technical accuracy is an essential part of our writing, and we embed this within our writing lessons in the same way sub-editors do when editing authors’ first drafts. All pupils have a wide variety of stimuli – from high-quality texts to film and drama.

Regular drama workshops in all classes enable pupils to enter the world of a story and bring depth and emotion to a pupil’s writing once they have experienced a dilemma in a workshop. What could be more inspirational for writing a persuasive argument as Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream than experiencing being a member of Duke Theseus’ courtroom? Only once the pupils have experienced being evacuated in World War II can they make sense of and compose a historical report fit for a non-fiction shelf.

Special events such as our end-of-term showcases highlight our innovative approach to drama and public speaking. All pupils are trained to present to adults at exhibitions to develop their public speaking skills and can do this confidently through ownership and a deep understanding of their writing pieces. Our now infamous annual Poetry Café delights our parent community every year, as do our annual Lower School Nativities (performed at Putney Arts Theatre) and our dramatic ensemble performances where every pupil has the opportunity to shine. View an example here.

“Pupils achieve excellent levels of attainment in all areas of literacy.” ISI Report, 2019

Maths at Wandsworth Prep is about creating independent, inquisitive and skilful mathematicians. We encourage a passion for this integral subject and equip pupils with the powerful toolset needed to understand and change the world. These tools include fluent and agile knowledge of numbers, logical reasoning, problem-solving skills and the ability to think abstractly.

At Wandsworth Preparatory School, we strongly feel about developing pupils’ mental and lateral thinking skills and consider the proper communication of Maths as paramount in pupils’ understanding. After all, it is like another language in many respects. From the earliest ages, we drive the pupils to extend their thinking.

Through hands-on and practical activities, pupils in Early Years and Key Stage 1 have almost constant exposure to appropriate real-life material and resources. Across the school, a strong emphasis is placed on the process rather than simply the outcome, and we strive to make Maths enthralling for all our young learners and ensure a sense of achievement is experienced.

Interest and motivation in Maths are promoted through a dedicated Maths Week in the spring term, placing a schoolwide emphasis on enjoyment in Maths and the importance of problem-solving, strategy and lateral thinking skills. School subscriptions to both the Manga High and MyMaths websites and regular iPad use in lessons also boost enthusiasm for the subject across the school.

Project learning at Wandsworth Prep comprises History, Geography, Art, Design Technology, Religious Studies and computing, and strives to engender a thirst for knowledge of the world, be it physical, historical or spiritual. Underpinning this aim is the belief that project teaching and learning should be an enjoyable, creative and magical experience for pupils and teachers alike. It can significantly contribute to children’s physical, intellectual, social and emotional development.

Rather than being taught each foundation subject discretely, the children follow a new learning journey every term, which includes fictional adventures and skills-based challenges. Each Project commences with a ‘hook’ that captures the pupils’ attention and sparks intrigue, such as the classroom being transformed into an art gallery.

Every project incorporates the National Curriculum objectives in a creative way that provides the children with a context for their learning, engaging them fully and actively in the learning process. Pupils receive academic rigour whilst understanding how these subjects link with one another and beyond. At the end of each term, we provide opportunities to showcase the learning from our projects so that the children can share their knowledge with family and friends.

Science at Wandsworth Prep aims to cultivate a natural curiosity for the world around us. Through Science, the children are allowed to develop vital skills to begin to make sense of scientific matters they come across in the news and their everyday lives.

The Science curriculum is covered practically through investigations in collaboration with building up in-depth subject knowledge. They work on building up their skills in observation, questioning, analysis, data handling, and writing predictions and conclusions.

Excitement and natural curiosity towards Science are developed through a whole school Science Week that happens once a year which includes a variety of workshops, external speakers, parent speakers and investigations that are child-led and then presented by the children in a Science Fair to the rest of the school.

We aim for the children to leave Wandsworth Prep equipped with the necessary skills and curiosity to want to further their Science education as they graduate from their secondary schools and beyond.

Forest School at Wandsworth Prep offers a place where children can experience activities in an outdoor environment as a regular part of their school life. We bring learning to life through various stimulating experiences that encourage team building, making choices and taking risks, all in a safe and friendly environment.

Wandsworth Prep ​Forest School is delivered in an area of Wimbledon Common and Putney Heath forest, where we offer exciting and fun outdoor activities for all pupils across the school.

Forest School is designed to promote the holistic development of children using a child-centred approach. Our Forest School experience provides children with opportunities to achieve and develop confidence through hands-on learning within the outdoor environment. The impact of which; raises aspirations, a sense of achievement and self-esteem. We are widening the horizons of all participating and leaving a lasting impression. In addition, the children learn to take risks safely by learning to assess the risks of activities independently.

At Wandsworth Prep, all year groups are taught by a specialist PE teacher. In the Early Years Foundation Stage, Years 1 and 2, children are taught to be active and interactive and to develop their coordination, control, and movement. We provide opportunities for children to become physically confident in a way which supports a healthy and active lifestyle. Within lessons, children work as individuals, in a group or as part of a team. Children develop core movement, become increasingly competent and confident and access a broad range of opportunities to extend their agility, balance and coordination.

Reception and Year 1 pupils are taught P.E on site, and Year 2 learn at Wandsworth Common. Reception and Year 1 attend swimming lessons in the summer term to kickstart their love of swimming and to begin those swimming foundations.

In Years 3 – 6, children can polish their skills with a focus on fewer sports to improve the quality and standard of their play. P.E lessons are taught at The Wandle Recreation Centre, where we train on the Astro pitches and Sports hall. In the Autumn term, we teach football and netball, hockey in the Spring term and athletics and cricket in the summer term. Fixtures against other schools occur during games afternoons and offer competitive opportunities for children of all abilities, as does our inclusive summer Sports Day and charity runs or exercise events.

We also support those exhibiting strong sporting talent, allowing them to represent the school in the Independent Schools Association tournaments, competing at the highest levels.

The curriculum is also enriched by after-school clubs, such as Gymnastics and Tag Rugby. Dance and ballet are also offered, where children can gain certificates awarded by the Royal Academy of Dance.

At Wandsworth Prep, we want to ensure that each child can enjoy and appreciate music. From Reception to Year 6, all our children benefit from music lessons taught by a specialist music teacher.

Children follow a programme based on the fundamental activities of:

• Performing – singing and playing tuned and un-tuned percussion instruments
• Composing – choosing and creating musical patterns and sounds
• Listening and appraising – expressing their ideas and feelings about music

Music Express underpins teaching and learning. Music Express provides a carefully-structured progressive scheme of work for music, integrating singing, playing, listening and composing. Planning also enables a cross-curricular, topic-based approach to music so that learning about music is developed whilst exploring different topics and is linked with other curriculum subjects.

Children prepare a range of songs for key events such as drama productions, the Christmas Concert, the Easter Assembly and the Summer concert. Workshops and visits allow pupils to work with outside professionals.

Children can learn an instrument individually, such as the violin, piano or guitar. They can perform in informal and formal concerts or assemblies throughout the year and take exams set by Trinity College of Music, where appropriate.

Creativity is about inspiring through memorable learning experiences and can be a platform for the establishment of personalised learning, enabling children to think for themselves and branch out into areas of curiosity and interest. We can move away from teaching discrete, isolated subjects and develop more innovative and practical approaches to teaching to create a curriculum tailored to children’s specific needs and interests.

Each term, a project is planned based on a science, geography or history focus that teaches children the fundamental skills to learn across various topics. When planning a project, our enquiry-led approach to learning requires the teachers to have the end ‘goal’ in sight concerning learning outcomes. Our approach ensures that our children are excited about learning, feel involved in the process and anticipate what will happen next.

At Wandsworth Preparatory School, the performing arts curriculum is designed to provide students with a wide range of opportunities to explore, create, and perform music, drama, and dance. The curriculum is structured around four key areas: music, drama, dance, and cross-curricular projects.

In the music area of the curriculum, students are introduced to a variety of musical concepts and skills, including pitch, rhythm, melody, and form. They are also given the opportunity to sing, play instruments, and compose their own music. Students may have the opportunity to participate in choir, instrumental ensembles, and individual music lessons.

In the drama area of the curriculum, students are encouraged to use their imaginations and develop their creativity through role-play, improvisation, and scripted performances. They are also given the opportunity to learn about different aspects of theatre, such as stagecraft, character development, and scriptwriting.

In the dance area of the curriculum, students are introduced to different styles of dance and movement, including ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. They are also given the opportunity to create their own dance routines and perform them for their peers and the wider school community.

In addition to these dedicated music, drama, and dance areas of the curriculum, students at Wandsworth Preparatory School may also have the opportunity to participate in cross-curricular projects that bring together elements of the performing arts with other subject areas. For example, students may work on a project that involves creating a musical based on a science theme, or creating a dance piece inspired by a historical event.

the performing arts curriculum at Wandsworth Preparatory School is designed to be inclusive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate for all students. It is structured to provide students with a wide range of opportunities to explore, create, and perform music, drama, and dance, and to encourage them to be curious, creative, and confident learners.

At Wandsworth Prep, we aim to ensure that all the pupils can use IT tools and information sources effectively to analyse, process and present information.

In the Computing Curriculum, pupils are introduced to a wide range of uses for IT. In Computing lessons, children are introduced to graphics, presentation, animation, text and data handling, and simple programming and simulations.

Rather than the traditional computer suite style teaching for computing, the school boasts the use of Google Chromebooks and iPads to benefit all year groups. Chromebooks provide a gateway to everything a student needs to learn. Little things, like automatic updates and the ability to sign in to any device and have your profile available, meaning we can dedicate more time to studies instead of administration. Some of the most helpful classroom tools for Chromebooks include the G Suite for Education, a tool designed to let teachers and pupils work together while learning, amongst other tools. Pupils can easily show the entire class what they are working on, which enables interactive education and collaboration.

The use of iPads and Chromebooks in the classroom also allows for regular use in cross-curricular subjects.