Prep School Life
Your daughter will grow in many ways between the ages of 2 and 11. We’re here to help her thrive and develop, giving her support when needed, and providing a wealth of opportunities along the way.
Your daughter will grow in many ways between the ages of 2 and 11. We’re here to help her thrive and develop, giving her support when needed, and providing a wealth of opportunities along the way.
We're Dedicated to our Students
What Sets our Prep School Apart?
With every new experience at EHS, she will learn more about herself and the world around her, gaining the confidence to try more, discover more, and use her own initiative. Most of all, education here is exciting and challenging. From the very earliest days, our girls embrace their learning with enthusiasm. Curriculum subjects are, of course, essential, but we believe that studying them means doing things we enjoy. This is a major reason why children find it so easy to settle in and become part of our family. Our Prep School is a happy, lively community, where we bring out the best in your daughter, both academically and personally.
With every new experience at EHS, she will learn more about herself and the world around her, gaining the confidence to try more, discover more, and use her own initiative. Most of all, education here is exciting and challenging. From the very earliest days, our girls embrace their learning with enthusiasm. Curriculum subjects are, of course, essential, but we believe that studying them means doing things we enjoy. This is a major reason why children find it so easy to settle in and become part of our family. Our Prep School is a happy, lively community, where we bring out the best in your daughter, both academically and personally.
A Typical Day at Prep School
From Year 1, all our pupils study the core and foundation subjects of the National Curriculum to standards above national levels. One of the benefits of being a 'through school' is that our girls also have access to facilities and specialist teacher expertise not found in stand-alone Prep Schools. The development of leadership skills is actively encouraged during their time here and all girls have the opportunity to take on positions of responsibility at an early age.
Prep CurriculumRegistration
8.40am - 9.15amBell for girls to line up on the playground. Registration follows, with form time and assembly.
Morning lessons
9.15am - 10.25amThe school day begins with Period 1 - Phonics (Rec-Year 2) Core subjects (Year 3-6). Period 2 follows. Each lesson lasts 35 minutes.
Break
10.25am - 10.45amGirls may bring fresh or dried fruit, or raw vegetables such as carrot sticks. Reception–Year 2 girls can also order milk. A named water bottle with water is essential. To keep everyone safe and healthy, please don’t send sweets, chocolate, biscuits, crisps, nuts (including coconut), glass bottles, or other snacks.
Early-afternoon lessons
10.45am - 11.55amEnriched learning in the third and fourth period. Each lesson lasts 35 minutes.
Lunch and play time
11.55am - 1.10pmAll girls enjoy a school lunch each day. If your daughter has any allergies or intolerances, please let our School Nurse know.
Form time
1.10pm - 1.30pm30 minutes of form time after lunch and before the afternoon lessons, giving our students a change to regroup before the remainder of the day.
Afternoon lessons
1.30pm - 3.30pmEnriched learning in periods 5 through to 8. Each lesson lasts 30 minutes.
The school day finishes
3.15pm - 3.30pmNursery - Year Two finish at 3.15pm, whereas Year Three - Six finish at 3.30pm.
Firm Foundations
Our experienced staff give individual attention to each child, discovering their interests and helping to develop them. From the ‘prime areas of learning’ in nursery to French lessons in Reception, we encourage girls to think about their own health and welfare, and to begin good habits for life. Other Westbourne experiences include nature study, building dens, and letter and number games in our outdoor classroom and varied campus. By the end of her time in Westbourne, she’s more than ready for the transition to Year 1 in our Prep Department.
Our experienced staff give individual attention to each child, discovering their interests and helping to develop them. From the ‘prime areas of learning’ in nursery to French lessons in Reception, we encourage girls to think about their own health and welfare, and to begin good habits for life. Other Westbourne experiences include nature study, building dens, and letter and number games in our outdoor classroom and varied campus. By the end of her time in Westbourne, she’s more than ready for the transition to Year 1 in our Prep Department.
Independence & Individuality
As your daughter develops from 5 to 11, she not only gains knowledge but also consolidates essential personal qualities, such as resilience, self-reliance and the ability to solve problems. Joining one of our four Houses, her circle of friends expands beyond her year group – and as she takes part in activities with older girls, her confidence and self-belief grow further, along with teamwork skills, such as trust and tolerance. She also learns about the world around her, and her place in it. Each year we adopt various charities to support, and we also respond to disaster situations. This reinforces our system of pastoral care, for which we are renowned, and which puts girls’ emotional wellbeing first: a happy child will always do well, academically and socially.
As your daughter develops from 5 to 11, she not only gains knowledge but also consolidates essential personal qualities, such as resilience, self-reliance and the ability to solve problems. Joining one of our four Houses, her circle of friends expands beyond her year group – and as she takes part in activities with older girls, her confidence and self-belief grow further, along with teamwork skills, such as trust and tolerance. She also learns about the world around her, and her place in it. Each year we adopt various charities to support, and we also respond to disaster situations. This reinforces our system of pastoral care, for which we are renowned, and which puts girls’ emotional wellbeing first: a happy child will always do well, academically and socially.
Creativity & Confidence
Our co-curricular (optional) programme provides further opportunities to discover new passions, develop new skills, and have fun. Your daughter can play in school concerts and festivals, and perform in assemblies. In her final Prep year, she can take part in an annual production. Our philosophy is always to ‘have a go’. Sports facilities and specialist teaching help your child develop. Those with sporting ambitions have the scope to pursue them, but we place equal emphasis on offering healthy activities for everyone. For children who want to learn more about the outdoors, we have a gardening club and allotment. We give your daughter every chance to discover which activities she will have a passion for, and to gain plenty of experience in developing a wealth of different skills.
Our co-curricular (optional) programme provides further opportunities to discover new passions, develop new skills, and have fun. Your daughter can play in school concerts and festivals, and perform in assemblies. In her final Prep year, she can take part in an annual production. Our philosophy is always to ‘have a go’. Sports facilities and specialist teaching help your child develop. Those with sporting ambitions have the scope to pursue them, but we place equal emphasis on offering healthy activities for everyone. For children who want to learn more about the outdoors, we have a gardening club and allotment. We give your daughter every chance to discover which activities she will have a passion for, and to gain plenty of experience in developing a wealth of different skills.
Moving up to Senior School
Well before your child completes Preparatory School, she’ll start looking forward to - and preparing for - the move up to Senior School. New friends, new challenges, new opportunities. All in familiar surroundings if she remains at EHS.
To help her get ready, we organise a range of activities. Starting in Year 4, alongside the curriculum, your daughter will attend ‘taster’ lessons in our Senior School, including Science, languages, art, and Classics, and gain practice in taking exams and in non-verbal and verbal reasoning. In Year 5, she’ll spend a whole morning in our Senior School, and we arrange regular catch-ups, where girls can ask any questions about moving up.
We are also very experienced in preparing and supporting girls in gaining places at other senior schools. For example, in Year 6, they can attend a special Induction Day at their chosen schools, giving them the chance to spend time with their new classmates and teachers. However, we are delighted when girls decide to stay with us to continue their schooling. Once they’ve become part of the EHS family, remaining here for Year 7 and beyond puts them in a favourable position when progressing to higher education.
Well before your child completes Preparatory School, she’ll start looking forward to - and preparing for - the move up to Senior School. New friends, new challenges, new opportunities. All in familiar surroundings if she remains at EHS.
To help her get ready, we organise a range of activities. Starting in Year 4, alongside the curriculum, your daughter will attend ‘taster’ lessons in our Senior School, including Science, languages, art, and Classics, and gain practice in taking exams and in non-verbal and verbal reasoning. In Year 5, she’ll spend a whole morning in our Senior School, and we arrange regular catch-ups, where girls can ask any questions about moving up.
We are also very experienced in preparing and supporting girls in gaining places at other senior schools. For example, in Year 6, they can attend a special Induction Day at their chosen schools, giving them the chance to spend time with their new classmates and teachers. However, we are delighted when girls decide to stay with us to continue their schooling. Once they’ve become part of the EHS family, remaining here for Year 7 and beyond puts them in a favourable position when progressing to higher education.
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Our mission is to nurture confident, considerate and intellectually curious young women.