A whopping 138 pupils from Years 7 and 8 and 18 members of staff went on a Music Tour to Paris from…
School Life
At Berkhamsted Pre-Prep, building every child’s confidence and self-esteem is our priority. We provide numerous opportunities to allow your child’s personal qualities to shine through
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Starting at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep
Your child’s early stages of the learning journey
We understand that starting Berkhamsted Pre-Prep may be your child’s first formal educational setting, or equally the continuation of their learning journey from a previous setting.
Our ‘Stay and Play’ sessions prior to your child’s start and every other interaction we have with you, is aimed at welcoming you to our community. Our children depend on us working in partnership, not only for academic success but to ensure that you have a sense of belonging and of our shared values. We strive to ensure that we nurture happy, secure and confident children. At this young age our children are dependent on us working together to achieve this.
We know that settling in to a new school can be daunting for both parents and children as we build new relationships and get used to a new environment. Therefore, we offer visits in the term prior to entry, in order to help you and your child to get to know our team and to explore the school environment.
Our ‘Stay and Play’ sessions for children due to start our Stepping Stones Nursery are an opportunity for the children to play, to familiarise themselves with the setting and to meet our Nursery staff. it is also a good opportunity for parents to meet each other and to start to feel part of our school family.
For children who join us in other years – and for Year 2 in particular – we hold a ‘Meet a Friend’ day where your child will spend a day with the children who will make up the year group they will be joining. For parents, with your agreement, we share your details with our Clas Reps who will contact you and invite you to family events prior to your start so you are able to meet other families.
Our aim is to ensure a smooth transition for every child (and new parents) joining our school. We will work closely with you to ensure that your child feels comfortable and excited about joining us at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep.
The Parent Partnership
At the heart of our students’ happiness, wellbeing and success is a strong partnership between the parents, staff and students.
The pace of technological change is fast and getting faster. This brings new challenges as parents and teachers have to advise children about things like the latest changes to social media sites.
We want our students to leave us as confident, resilient and independent young people and we do this by ensuring that they are supported through any difficulties, challenges or disappointments they may have.
We run a Parent Talks and Courses programme which aims to strengthen the communication between school and parents and provide an opportunity to discuss new issues as they happen, whether at school or at home.
Our Facilities
Library, Classrooms, and Stepping Stones play area
Walled Garden
Walled Garden
pre-prep landscape
Pre-Prep - berk-269
KINGS - KJSC Pool
The perfect place
If you could imagine the perfect place to go to school, it would be here! Our school site offers the most amazing setting and our children cannot wait to start their day, every day.
Children in Reception and Key Stage One play together at break times in our large walled garden. Stepping Stones also have their own play area accessible directly from the classrooms. Being a small school, all the children often do things together and this helps to build the genuine family atmosphere that pervades Berkhamsted Pre-Prep.
Our Walled Garden is designed into different zones allowing for imaginative play, physical play, inquisitive play and so much more. Built-in musical instruments with a stage area for budding performers, a pirate ship and a mud kitchen for exploration and physical play and gardening beds for our gardening club to grow plants and vegetables are just some of the facilities. Our children describe their play time as one of the best parts of day because they have the space to enjoy childhood play in a safe environment.
Beyond our garden, the grounds of Berkhamsted Pre-Prep expand into our own woods, which are used by the whole school and feature a challenging and adventurous High Ropes course for our older pupils, starting from Year 2 onwards.
Being outside is increasingly recognised as having a marked impact on our wellbeing and as such we ensure that our children spend quality time outdoors. Our woods are an integral part of our school allowing for children to experience different learning opportunities, such as designing a den, a search for the fairies who regularly leave them messages or to conduct a scientific study of the wildlife.
Classrooms are well-equipped to ensure that learning is exciting, purposeful and supportive of the high expectations we have for a modern education.
Our library is a cosy environment that promotes reading for pleasure with a wide range of reading material available to catch the interest and spark the imagination of every pupil.
The children have access to a range of technology from technological toys for those in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to suites of iPads and a dedicated IT room which promote cross-curricular use of IT, supporting the development of the key skills pupils require to use technology effectively for learning.
Our large sports hall provides us with a valuable space that is not only used for PE but is also used for whole school assemblies and performances. A large stage with sound and lighting gives the children their first taste of performance, with all year groups presenting a range of productions to their parents over the course of the year. A highlight of the year for most of our children, and their families.
Moving up to Berkhamsted Prep
Once your child has completed their Key Stage One education at the end of Year 2, they will transfer from Berkhamsted Pre-Prep to BERKHAMSTED PREP for Key Stage Two.
While there is no formal test for entry, we continue to assess our pupils throughout Key Stage One to ensure they are making the necessary progress to cope with the demands and pace of the Key Stage Two curriculum. We support every child to ensure they are equipped to succeed.
The School Day
Children (from three years of age) can join our Breakfast Club from 07:30 each morning in Jubilee Hall which is run by our own team who know the children and their needs.
Morning drop-off is from 08:30 at the gate to the Walled Garden, for children in Key Stage One (Years 1 and 2). Children in Reception go to their classrooms from 08:30 where they are met by the teaching staff, who will welcome them into school. Children in Stepping Stones, our Nursery class, may be brought to their classrooms between 08:40-09:00, allowing a flexible start for our youngest children.
Daily assemblies are an excellent opportunity for the children to come together as a Pre-Prep family. Monday starts the week with a moral focus that encourages the children to think about others. Children nominate each other for our Act of Kindness award in recognition of their actions to serve others. Our Friday Assembly is a celebration, recognising achievements from both within and outside school. Throughout the year each class will prepare an assembly for the other children to watch (parents are invited), and all parents are invited to our special end of term assemblies.
Berkhamsted Pre-Prep is busy, exciting place and we want to capture the children’s imagination by providing a wide range of activities, trips and visits. There are special visitors (for example, firemen, authors, charity representatives), special days (for example, World Book Day, French Day) activities and workshops aimed at inspiring children such as our Lent term ‘Hatching Chicks’ projects. Outings and trips are used to enhance the curriculum and learning experiences for all the children.
Nutritious cooked lunches are part of our fees and are provided daily by Chartwells, caterers for the Berkhamsted Schools Group. We provide a balanced rotating menu, with an extensive salad bar and where special dietary requirements are catered for.
Wrap Around Care
Morning and after school childcare
At Berkhamsted Pre-Prep we understand that there will be times when you may need childcare flexibility. We offer Wrap Around Care from 07:30 to 18:00 for children at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep during term time.
If your working hours or other commitments mean you need your child to be cared for beyond the school day, you can be rest assured that the outstanding provision of Pre-Prep is replicated with our extended child care.
Our Wrap Around Care (WAC) is a ‘home from home’ experience. We aim to create a family experience and atmosphere where we recognise that our children thrive if they are cared for and their physical and emotional needs are met by child care that is tuned into their needs. It is essential that children are given the chance to relax before and after school if they are to flourish and make the most of their busy day.
Children will have access to a range of activities that promote creativity, imagination, social interactions and relaxation. Our children often choose to go the WAC because it is like going on a playdate! A wonderful way to unwind after a busy day of learning and to feel part of our Pre-Prep family.
Parents have the option to book their child into Breakfast Club from 07:30 before school and/or After School Care at the end of the school day up until 18:00 if they wish. Due to current government guidelines our extra-curricular activities are changing, therefore, we recommend contacting your school office for the latest information and booking process for WAC. Charges for WAC can be found on the FEES’ SHEET.
Camp Beaumont at Berkhamsted
We are delighted to be partnering with Camp Beaumont who will be running holiday camps at Berkhamsted Prep each holiday.
Camp Beaumont have been running their award winning multi-activity day camp experiences for over 40 years and we are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity for children at Berkhamsted Schools Group and from the local area to enjoy exhilarating, confidence boosting adventures over the summer break at our Prep site.
Activity programmes are available for 3 to 11 year olds and are tailored by age group in a COVID safe setting. There is something for everyone: craft a new creation in clay, take part in sports and games, relax and unwind with mindfulness and yoga, or have lots of fun with water-based games including aqua Olympics and Wet, Wild and Wacky.
For more information or to book a camp, please visit:
Activate Camps at Berkhamsted
In partnership with Activate Camps, Berkhamsted is pleased to be able to offer specialist sports camps on site during the main holidays for children aged 5 – 14 years. For more information or to book a camp, please visit:
The House System
Supporting pupil wellbeing and development
Our House system at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep is a key element of school life. We aim to use our house system to support each pupil’s wellbeing and development, by providing each child with a sense of belonging. The weekly house meetings are for all children in Reception, Year 1 and 2 and provides a forum for debate, house talks and opportunities for children to relate to different age groups and to develop their self-confidence.
Your child will be placed into one of our six Houses from Reception. They stay in their House until they reach the end of Year 6 when they transition to their senior schools and join a Senior School house.
The names of our Houses at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep are taken from historical figures relating to the history of Berkhamsted Castle.
Each House at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep is led by different staff from across our school and who help lead the House in a variety of activities. House Captains are appointed from Year 2 to represent each House and which provides early leadership opportunities for our children.
Our children enjoy earning House Points for positive work and behaviour, with their efforts recognised every Friday during assembly with the winning house awarded the coveted school House Cup.