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Sydenham High Prep School is committed to delivering first-class experiences for every pupil that instil a belief that they can reach for the stars.
With an inspiring approach to teaching and learning from the moment the youngest learners join, the school has been recognised at the Independent School of the Year awards, being named a Finalist for Pre-Prep of the Year 2024. With an approach that focuses on nurturing curiosity from nursery to school, pupils gain confidence through fun learning.
Thursday morning, 8am in the EYFS unit. In the book corner, a parent is reading to her child. Meanwhile, in the ‘florists’, another is buying a bespoke bouquet while negotiating the price. In the outdoor library, a parent queues for the ‘librarian’ to stamp their book. A taxi pulls up and takes the teacher (on the back of her trike) to return her book – because it is always late! Then the bell rings for the start of the school day. “Parents!” the pupils shout. “Get out of here!”
The parents leave, knowing that their girls are in for another day of loving their learning. This is how our Celebration of Work happens every week. Parents gain an insight into their children’s learning journey within the unique environment we create, and recreate, for them as their curious minds demand. Such close connections between home and school create trust and transparency.
“Our daughter is cared for and understood as a small person in her own right. She is part of a nurturing school community that celebrates each individual and gives her the opportunity to share her voice.” Reception parent
Alongside laying the essential foundations for literacy and numeracy, PSHE is woven through every aspect of our learning. Zones, such as our Feelings Tent, allow pupils to explore, express and explain their emotions with peers, older pupils and teachers. Our community of “Syd Sisters” fosters inter-year collaboration and specialist teaching for Reception pupils developing the valuable skill of adapting to different adults from day one.
We watch children use the learning environment to tackle new and potentially daunting challenges. They overcome fears through collaboration, encouraging each other to work towards a common goal. The positive feedback from parents is overwhelming.
“My daughter is excited and stimulated by her learning, frequently sharing her experiences and learning with us when she arrives home. She loves school and her teachers!”
“We have been very impressed not only by the wide range of subjects and content our daughter has been exposed to, but also the different ways that she has been taught these subjects.”
Alongside continuous conversations with parents, we monitor each pupil’s academic progress closely through tracking and observation. We utilise pupil questioning and the pupils’ voices to ascertain what a child knows and understands.
Throughout Years One and Two, our girls continue to build upon the firm Early Years foundation. Dynamic teachers deliver exciting, well-planned and differentiated lessons in a happy and relaxed, yet challenging environment in which to work, play and learn. Girls continue with specialist teaching in French, Music and Sport, alongside humanities, Art, Design and Technology and our core curriculum study of English, Maths, Science, Computing, PSHE, and Religious Education.
Our ethos of joyful learning through “deeply involved play” harnesses children’s natural propensity for curiosity, and helps children acquire knowledge and skills, but more importantly, gain confidence and pride in their own intellectual abilities. Our girls are encouraged to forge their own path, prepare for a future unknown; quietly confident in the knowledge that they have all that they could ever need, within themselves.
