Our Approach
At Chiswick and Bedford Park Preparatory School children are encouraged to become independent learners. We aim to develop each pupil’s confidence and raise self esteem. We are very aware that children learn in different ways, so we take into account different learning styles, and offer a variety of approaches – visual, auditory and kinaesthetic – to meet the needs of all our pupils. Children are encouraged to take risks in order to learn and become independent thinkers. Information and communication technology is linked to all areas of the curriculum. It is taught as a tool to learning and all pupils from Reception Year upwards use laptops regularly. There are interactive SMARTboards in all the classrooms and the library. These offer wide-ranging, exciting opportunities to enhance learning, and pupils of all ages use them confidently and competently. We are keen to provide an environment which helps concentration and accelerates learning. Children are taught brain gym, and encouraged to sip water through the day. Playtime zoning helps pupils to learn to make playtime safe and happy for everyone. Peer mediation empowers children by developing their skills and confidence to deal with situations, and the Friendship Stop gives them the opportunity to call in and make new friends.
Learning in and out of the Classroom and Beyond the School Gates
A broad and balanced curriculum is offered, with early emphasis on literacy and numeracy. The School takes cognizance of the National Curriculum. Our enthusiastic teachers plan carefully to ensure that lessons are stimulating and children are motivated to learn, whether in the classroom, on the sportsfield, or in the hall enjoying dance, music and drama sessions.
Visitors and speakers are invited into School, either to lead workshops or to share their specialist knowledge and first hand experience with our pupils. In addition, pupils in every year group from Reception upwards are taken on approximately two educational outings each term. Teachers organise these visits to link with topics which are being studied, to enhance the children’s understanding through first hand experience and to make learning meaningful.
In Year 6 pupils participate in a residential activity course, spending approximately 5 days at an Educational Activity Centre. They are accompanied and supervised by our own staff, plus fully trained and qualified instructors at the centre. Residential courses offer new and exciting challenges for children, and by living with their peers and working together in a team environment, help them to develop independence, confidence and an ability to recognise strengths and weaknesses in constructive ways.
From Year 2 upwards pupils in each class elect 2 members per term to represent them on the School Council, which meets regularly so that Representatives can propose and discuss their suggestions for the School. This enables pupils to feel part of the decision-making process.
On entering the School, children are placed in one of its four Houses: Shaw, Hogarth, Yeats and Thornycroft. Various house events are held during the year. In addition pupils try hard to earn house points, which are totalled each half term to determine the winners of the House Cup, and on Sports Day, house teams compete to win the Sports Day Trophy.
Within the School pupils progress through 3 stages of educational development: The Foundation Stage (ages four to five years), Key Stage 1 (ages five to seven years) and Key Stage 2 (ages seven to eleven years).
