The Prep at Denstone College offers a warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere with a high standard of pastoral care. We work hard to prioritise children’s enjoyment of school, providing a broad curriculum, together with a range of opportunities that help to build confidence and character and ensure each child’s potential is fulfilled.
As is characterised throughout TPDC, the Main Prep features small class sizes to ensure that we can provide excellent staff to pupil ratio and meet each child’s individual needs – and while the pace of learning may be fast, our curriculum is tailored to each pupil’s ability.
During their four years in Main Prep, pupils’ learning is enriched by an extensive timetable delivered by teachers who are specialists in their chosen subjects. Emphasis is placed on the three core subjects of English, mathematics and science, complemented by other academic subjects such as geography, history, Spanish and French. ICT plays an important part in the curriculum.
However, we firmly believe that it is essential to develop the whole child, not just academic ability. Creativity is encouraged through a rich programme of art, music, theatre and dance, whilst physical activity is delivered through our extensive sports programme.
Within the Main Prep and Pre-Prep School, our outdoor classroom is the focal point for our Forest School. The outdoor classroom, equipped with its own firepit, is used extensively throughout the week as the base for numerous activities and the children thoroughly enjoy getting outside and exploring their environment.
Specialist support is available for children diagnosed with dyslexia through our link with Dyslexia Action.
When they reach Y6, pupils receive Study Skills classes to help prepare them for the internal assessments exams for their move up to the College.
At The Prep we want to allow our children to take a lead and to develop their interests and talents. Children who are academically gifted or who have a talent in sport, music, art or drama are given many opportunities to excel through a busy calendar of school events and are prepared for scholarship assessment. The honours boards in the school dining room testify to our excellent scholarship record.
In Main Prep, our staff are here to protect and guide pupils and make them aware of the demands and pitfalls of the world. With this in mind, the school is divided into three houses, Beeches, Cedars and Oaks to foster the positive values of teamwork and personal and social responsibility as lessons for later life.
Lessons are complemented by playtime in our extensive grounds, as well as an extensive programme of trips and activities.
The curriculum is extended through a full programme of after school clubs which change termly and can include computing, art and craft, gardening, climbing, gymnastics, pottery, drama, Wildlife Club, tennis, table tennis, soccer, rugby, cricket, model making, archery and dance.
After School Care
We are open from 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday during term time. This is for all children in Pre-Prep and Main Prep.
For Pre-Prep and Main Prep children there are clubs provided after school which can be booked prior to the start of term.
For an example of the clubs we offer please see our Extra-Curricular Page.
Clubs will run from 4pm – 5pm in both Pre-Prep and Main Prep. After 5pm there will be an option for prep time or reading quietly in a classroom until 6pm where there will be a teacher on duty.
