Lower School & Upper School

Lower School

In the Lower School (ages 4-7), a secure foundation of basic skills is laid. Particular attention is given to numeracy and all aspects of literacy - reading, spelling, grammar, handwriting and comprehension. Essential oral, listening and questioning skills are also developed. These are fostered across the whole curriculum.

At the same time, individual and creative expression is nurtured and encouraged. Pupils have the same class teacher for the majority of lessons. We have expert specialist teachers who will teach the children in Lower School for Music, French, Art and PE/Games. 

On first entering the school as members of our Reception classes, children have their own learning area dedicated to Early Years. This gives the children an excellent start to their infant school education where they are able to explore and make connections inside and outside of the classroom.

Early diagnosis of any special learning difficulty, where appropriate, brings help from a teacher from our 'Progress Centre', qualified in meeting Special Educational Needs.

Upper School

Upper School pupils (ages 7-11) also have a class teacher who is responsible for their pastoral care and emotional wellbeing. Many of their lessons are given by subject specialists. For all age groups, the average class size is 20.

At every stage, the children are given an awareness and understanding of the world around them. Our curriculum is enlivened and enriched by visitors to the school, educational trips and clubs. We aim to relate academic learning to the real world beyond the classroom, whether this is with visits to our neighbour The Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, botany lessons by the River Thames or by meeting eminent guests who come to speak at the school. Parents are often involved in this and we encourage them to bring as much as possible to the daily life of the school.

Our curriculum is geared to achieving success at 11+ when the children are in Year 6 but our curriculum remains strong, vibrant and equally balanced between all subjects. We embrace the characteristics and skills that children start to uncover in themselves at this crucial time in the educational, personal and emotional development.

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British Values

At Kew Green Preparatory School we take our responsibility to prepare children for life in modern Britain very seriously. We ensure that the fundamental British Values of mutual respect, understanding and tolerance for those with different culture, faiths or beliefs; democracy, rule of law and respect for self and others are introduced, discussed and lived out through our ethos which underpins the work of the school.

All curriculum areas provide a vehicle for furthering understanding of these concepts and, in particular, work in RE, Social, Moral and Spiritual education, Life Skills and Current Affairs lessons provide excellent opportunities to deepen and develop this understanding. Children embrace these concepts with enthusiasm and demonstrate a good understanding of their application in their own lives. The school makes considerable efforts to ensure children have exposure to a wide range of experiences beyond their local community to help them understand these concepts. This is achieved through sporting events, residential visits, trips and visitors, cultural exploration and celebration of a diverse range of religious and cultural groups. Our children will develop an excellent values-based understanding of fundamental British Values which gives them a robust platform for understanding, celebrating and embracing differences with tolerance and integrity.