Introduction from the Head of the Prep School
Welcome to Bede’s Preparatory School ‘where every child feels a sense of belonging and finds joy in their pursuit of brilliance.’
Bede’s Prep is a vibrant, energetic and forward-thinking school, which focuses on promoting learning, personal growth and development. We provide pupils with a curriculum that is broad, stimulating and designed to facilitate the highest possible levels of attainment by those who follow it - programmes of study that imbue children with a wealth of skills, a depth of knowledge and an irrepressible curiosity. Every pupil will achieve personal excellence within a happy, safe and stimulating environment.
Our core values of compassion, courage, conscientiousness and curiosity shape a pupil’s educational experience. A Bede’s education is based upon academic rigour through excellent teaching, encouraging our pupils to explore, question, take risks, and develop their creativity, communication and teamwork – all central to successful life-long learning.
Our kind-hearted community is underpinned by generosity of spirit, mutual respect, warmth and compassion. By providing a festival of opportunities, we enable our pupils to discover new passions and develop new talents motivating them to be the best versions of themselves. Pupils are recognised and appreciated for who they are as individuals. They are supported and nurtured by teachers who really care.
Our exceptional pastoral care is evidenced as happy pupils who are engaged in their learning and actively involved in the wider life of the school embracing every opportunity provided to them. Pupils who are kind to themselves and each other and are gracious about success and failure.
Bede’s provides an all-round education where academic pursuits are supported by wonderful co-curricular opportunities and where pupils learn lessons that books cannot give; courage and joy, resilience and self belief, developing into confident globally-minded young people.
I am incredibly proud to belong to such an amazing community where pupils and staff feel empowered, supported and valued.
I very much hope that you will visit us and I look forward to welcoming you in person to share the exciting and vibrant experience enjoyed by our pupils.
Leigh-Anne Morris Head of Prep School
Introduction from the Deputy Head
Academic
The curriculum for each year group at Bede’s Prep-Prep and Prep School focuses on promoting learning, personal growth and development. Throughout their educational journey we provide pupils with a curriculum that is broad, stimulating and designed to facilitate the highest possible levels of attainment by those who follow it - programmes of study that imbue children with a wealth of skills, a depth of knowledge and an irrepressible curiosity.
The majority of class teaching is led by the respective Year 1 or 2 teacher, however for specific subjects, for example Music, Computing and Physical Education, the pupils are taught by Prep School specialist teachers. With some lessons also taking place in facilities in other areas of the school.
As the children move through the year groups, each curriculum also includes an ever-evolving and increasingly rigorous ‘hidden curriculum’ - a set of skills the children develop from the ways they are treated and the expectations set by their teachers, informed by communication between teachers, tutors and Heads of Year. This hidden curriculum is, like everything else at Bede’s, tweaked and personalised to suit the needs, talents and propensities of each individual. What is right for one child may not be for another, and as such every pupil will finish their time at Bede’s Prep with a uniquely distinguished academic record, a set of high personal ideals, and a clear set of aspirations particular to them.
Bede’s is of course academically ambitious for its pupils, and our outstanding teachers work extremely hard to inspire them, drawing out passions for specific subjects and for learning in general. We aim for every pupil to achieve the very highest standards, and we can be a little bit demanding in our pursuit of excellence. To make it happen, all pupils have equal access to the curriculum regardless of gender, ethnic origin or special educational need, and all areas of the curriculum are valued equally, including academic subjects, the arts, music, practical activities and physical education.
Core to the success of our school, therefore, is the peerless systems of support and communication which enable parents, pupils and teachers to all know and understand what is happening and why, what has been accomplished, and what challenges are still to be overcome.
Most importantly though, everyone in the Bede’s community believes that all children have significant contributions to make to their school and the wider world, and we therefore owe each girl and boy a quiet relentlessness in the pursuit of their very best.
With this in mind, it is important to ensure that pupils do not just make the progress that might be expected. Instead, through developing talented staff, pursuing innovative teaching methodologies, and by ensuring that pupils have a full and varied experience of what school can mean, we help them to achieve at levels they never thought possible both inside and outside of the classroom. Through this, they develop a true sense of pride, ambition and accomplishment both as individuals and as a collective, and we all acquire the knowledge of what a Bede’s education really means.
Pastoral
At Bede’s Prep, we place children’s wellbeing at the forefront of everything we do and consistently focus on each individual child’s talents, needs, successes and emotional wellbeing, both in and outside of the classroom. We embrace our differences and together we celebrate diversity and inclusivity.
Our outstanding pastoral system meets the needs of all pupils by recognising that every child is unique and by crafting an environment where children feel they belong. Academic progress and reaching target grades are important, however, for this to happen, we know that children need to feel happy, safe, challenged and supported and we encourage our pupils to explore their passions and embrace venturing outside their comfort zones, knowing we are here for them every step of the way.
Within our pastoral system, each pupil has a Form Tutor, who has the responsibility of overseeing each child’s progress and development in all areas of school life, from academic to extra curricula. The tutor acts as the first point of contact for parents at Bede’s Prep, and works closely with families to monitor their child’s wellbeing – from overseeing their overall mental health and academic progress, to giving pupils practical advice in areas such as how to manage their workload.
Alongside regular communication with tutors and teachers, parents are given more formal, structured updates from each of their child’s teachers at parents’ evenings and in regular reports throughout the school year.
Small class sizes play a big role in ensuring that every pupil benefits from focused attention on their academic support and pastoral care, not only by their teacher but also teaching assistants and other members of the school community.
From our dedicated pastoral team and Learning Enhancement department to pupil ‘buddies’(who are assigned to new pupils when they join to help with the settling in process), each child benefits from a robust support system. When your child joins Bede’s Prep, they will become part of a family unit in which everyone looks after each other.
Our nurture provision is designed to offer additional support and guidance to pupils who may benefit from additional intervention to develop their social and emotional skills. These sessions aim to enhance their overall well-being and improve their academic performance by addressing specific areas of concern. Nurture sessions are delivered by our qualified nurture practitioners.
This sense of community continues outside of the classroom too. Pupils across the year groups take part in a range of initiatives to promote empathy and support the local community, from charity fundraising events to beach and park litter picks in association with Plastic Free Eastbourne.
Pupils also enjoy a range of academic trips, from Beach and Forest School to residential stays further afield which brings their classroom learning to life and builds lasting friendships with their peers that will stay with them throughout Bede’s Prep and beyond.
By placing the child at the forefront of everything we do, we ensure that our pupils have the tools required to reach their academic potential and have the resilience to succeed in whatever they put their minds to.
Joining Bede’s Pre-Prep and Prep School can feel like a big step for both children and their parents, and therefore our Junior Years team do all we can to make this transition as seamless as possible. The smooth transition from Reception to Pre-Prep is aided by the setting in Holywell, which houses a very close-knit community and led by a team working towards the same goals and aims of the Trust by:
1. Guiding and inspiring pupils to be passionate, curious, independent, happy and ambitious, both for themselves and for others, inside and outside of the classroom.
2. Progressing and promoting each child’s unique talents through personalised, high-quality academic, creative, co-curricular and sporting programmes.
3. Valuing the contribution of every individual in order that they are recognised and celebrated.
This supportive and nurturing environment helps children to build friendships, confidence and happiness, therefore enabling them to flourish within the learning environment. The children’s learning in the Junior Years is topic based, and they study a series of overarching themes across eachterm. Our learning makes links with different subjects across the curriculum through a huge variety of activities, and stretches beyond the classroom into outdoor environments, such as our Beach and Forest Schools, which utilise the picturesque settings right on our doorstep.
As the children progress through the Junior Years, their independence and responsibilities gradually grow in preparation for moving up.
Matt Bennett-Tomlin Deputy Head
Introduction from the Head of Year Reception - Year 2
Bede’s Pre-Prep is the place where every child begins their exciting journey of finding joy in their pursuit of brilliance. I have the unique and wonderful pleasure of leading the team in Holywell and getting to know each and every one of our wonderful Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils.
In Holywell we capture children at the very beginning of their time at school, a magical season where learning in and outside of the classroom can be experienced in a new and vibrant way. Our school values of Compassion, Curiosity, Courage and Conscientiousness are woven through all that we do here, and brought to life by our very own Bede’s Values Friends, a set of cuddly characters which the children adore and embrace. We offer a diverse and exciting curriculum, planned and delivered by outstanding teachers with a deep understanding of what helps children to thrive both academically and socially.
Our vision at Bede’s Pre-Prep is to provide all of our pupils with a festival of opportunity, as our children are finding their feet in the world we want them to have as many exciting and enriching experiences as possible. To that end we offer an extensive and far reaching programme of cross curricular and extra curricular activities, taking place here at our Prep School site and beyond. From their very first year in Reception children have use of our fantastic facilities, including our swimming pool, sports hall, computer suites, dance studio, our beautiful and newly renovated Early Years Library (the Learning Lodge!), not to mention our fabulous early years playground complete with its own pirate ship!
Here in the Pre-Prep we take great pride in our core curriculum and are committed to delivering the best possible quality of education to all of our pupils, our exceptional Early Years and Key Stage 1 curriculum is personalised, engaging and practical. Our curriculum builds strong foundations, fosters critical thinking, and tracks progress in order to help all children to achieve their full academic potential. Children have their lessons taught by subject specialists from day one in curriculum areas such as Modern Foreign Languages, Dance and Sport - to name a few. All children have the opportunity to participate in a programme of After School Clubs on a daily basis, which includes activities such as Construction, Sewing and Yoga.
Here in Holywell we do not take for granted the beautiful natural environment in which we are set; whilst the view from one classroom may be the sparkling sea, the other is the rolling hills of the South Downs. We embrace all possible outdoor learning opportunities, through use of our wonderful Muddy Garden on site, as well as regular trips to the beach and the nearby Friston Forest. We embrace our school value of curiosity and see the outdoor environment as an extension of our classrooms; our Reception children have weekly Forest School sessions with our fully qualified Forest School lead, whilst Years 1 and 2 have a Forest School afternoon every other week, as a minimum. This experience
enhances the children’s educational experience by providing hands-on opportunities to connect with nature, develop problem solving skills and foster social and emotional growth.
We pride ourselves in Pre-Prep on the culture of belonging we have for all of our staff, children and their families, everyone has their part to play in our Holywell community. This ethos is clear in the behaviour and attitude of our pupils, who are far too busy and engaged to be off task! We believe that fun, laughter and happy children are successful children in school, and to that end embracing childhood is central to our culture in school. We love our parents to be part of our community and welcome opportunities to involve our families in school life, we always love to hear from you.
A very warm welcome to Bede’s Pre-Prep, we can’t wait for you to join us on our exciting learning adventure.
Anna Green Head of Reception - Year 2
English
Our beautiful environment of sea and countryside is both motivating and exciting for our young Bedians to start their academic journey. It inspires topics – such as nature, the sea and exploration – which are investigated through all aspects of English.
At Bede’s Prep, our aim is to develop a lifelong love and enthusiasm for language and literature in all forms, and to enable our pupils to become confident and creative communicators. This philosophy is embedded as soon as children join our Bede’s community. Playing with language, revelling in reading, and learning the foundation tools to expression are core to our English lessons. Furthermore, the nurturing environment of Holywell guides our children to be active learners, encouraging each individual to find their own voice and communicate their opinions with confidence.
At these early and rapid stages of development, we develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information. All children follow a staged reading scheme, read with their teacher daily and use the well-stocked Holywell Library. Reading at home is encouraged through a school-home liaison programme, where parents and teachers are in regular communication on specific aspects of their child’s reading progress.
Celebrating our writing and communication is crucial to the development of each individual and the growth of technology has opened exciting possibilities to realise the full potential of our pupils. In Holywell, we take opportunities to develop and publish children’s response to reading and writing using both traditional writing methods and the latest digital technology.
But the basics are not forgotten; much focus is put on the structured building blocks of spelling, grammar and sentence structure which are central to the development of effective and expressive communicators.
What skills will my child develop?
• A life-long love and enthusiasm for language and literature in all forms.
• Confident and creative communicaton skills.
• Creativity and a love of reading at an early age.
• Active learning skills.
• Confidence to express opinions.
Hints & Tips for Home
• https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
• https://www.booktrust.org.uk/
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/stories
Sherry Wilson Head of English
Year 1 marks the first year of the National Curriculum and, as you might expect, the teaching of phonics plays a big part. Using a multisensory and engaging approach, children will learn how to apply their phonic knowledge and skills in order to decode words, learning how to blend the different sounds in unfamiliar words.
We aim to inspire creativity and a love of reading at an early age. The Autumn Term also brings Book Week – a festival of fun, packed with visiting authors, competitions and costumes – which rejoices in reading for pleasure. Furthermore, children from an early age are encouraged to take part in national writing competitions. Seeing their work in published form is an empowering moment and at Bede’s, we take every opportunity to enjoy sharing and celebrating our work in a supportive and stimulating classroom environment.
In each term, creative writing is inspired by key stories such as traditional tales, fairy stories and classic fiction. These skills are developed into forming short narratives and retelling of events. Further opportunities for non-fiction writing flourish such as diary writing a set of instructions, compiling a class reference book on a chosen animal and writing a series of sentences to explain a simple process. Likewise, poetry is celebrated throughout the year through reading and performance and children collaborate on a shared poem as well as writing poetry using pattern and rhyme.
During the year, children in Year 2 explore an array of books which demonstrate a range of genres and writing styles; for example, in the Autumn term, children explore and use drama to role play characters in traditional tales and fables, such as Red Riding Hood, and write a narrative from a character’s viewpoint. Later in the term, they are transformed into reporters, writing news reports on the Great Fire of London. Contemporary and classic poetry is also a highlight, share and performed as a class.
As children move through to the Spring and Summer Terms, they will continue to put their learning into practice, encapsulating ideas, playing with, developing and using new vocabulary. They use multi-sensory learning and interactive teaching to write their own narratives based on exciting literature chosen carefully to suit the class. During the year, children will also learn about other types of writing including contemporary poetry that celebrates belonging, instructional, travel writing and news reporting tying
in with topics studied throughout the year. There is also a strong focus on developing pupils’ grammatical and technical skills in English, learning how words work and how to form clear sentences and use punctuation effectively.
English at Bede’s is all about developing independence and
confidence, through clear speaking, careful listening, and effective reading and writing. The opportunities for rich reading and creative expression abound. Above all, children are given lots of opportunities to have fun with words, to experiment with structure and language, to create imaginative descriptions of characters and setting, and to enjoy reading, exploring and crafting poems.
Maths
At Bede’s Prep, we are committed to fostering a deep understanding of mathematics in our young learners by making it a tangible and exciting part of their everyday lives. We believe that by actively engaging in their learning, pupils can develop essential problem-solving and reasoning skills, which are vital for understanding the world around them.
Our teaching approach is rooted in the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the National Curriculum, ensuring that our pupils build a strong foundation in mathematics through practical, hands-on experiences. We encourage our pupils to explore mathematical concepts through a range of sensory activities that allow them to experiment, investigate, and ultimately, gain confidence in their mathematical abilities.
In Years 1 and 2, our primary goal is to nurture a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm for mathematics. We place a strong emphasis on developing pupils’ fluency with whole numbers, counting, and place value, as these are crucial building blocks for more advanced mathematical thinking. Our lessons are designed to be engaging, inclusive, and challenging, ensuring that every child is supported in their learning journey.
We aim to cultivate resilient learners who are not afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. By encouraging collaboration and communication, we help our pupils develop the confidence to articulate their ideas clearly and logically, both in written form and verbally. We also ensure that our pupils are equipped with the adaptability to apply their mathematical knowledge to a wide range of problems and contexts.
What skills will my child develop?
• Fluency in Basic Mathematics: Pupils will build a strong understanding of numbers, counting, addition, and subtraction, which are the foundational skills necessary for more complex mathematical concepts.
• Problem-Solving and Reasoning: Through carefully structured activities, pupils will learn to solve problems, reason logically, and think critically about mathematical concepts.
• Engagement and Curiosity: We create a learning environment that encourages exploration, questioning, and a genuine interest in mathematics.
• Resilience and Reflection: Pupils are guided to reflect on their work, embrace challenges, and understand that perseverance is key to success in mathematics.
• Adaptability and Application: Children will learn to apply their mathematical knowledge to new situations, helping them become flexible and independent thinkers.
Hints & Tips for Home
• Counting Games: Encourage your child to count objects around the house, such as toys, steps, or pieces of fruit. This helps reinforce their understanding of numbers and counting.
• Maths in Everyday Life: Involve your child in activities that require basic maths, such as cooking (measuring ingredients), shopping (adding up prices), or telling the time. This helps them see the practical application of maths in daily life.
• Educational Apps: Use apps like DoodleMaths, which provide interactive and engaging ways for your child to practise their maths skills at home. These apps adapt to your child’s level, offering challenges that are just right for their stage of development.
• Reading Books with Maths Themes: Choose storybooks that incorporate counting, patterns, or shapes. Books like “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” or “One Is a Snail, Ten Is a Crab” make maths fun and relatable.
• Board Games and Puzzles: Games like Snakes and Ladders, Dominoes, or simple jigsaw puzzles are excellent for developing number recognition, counting, and problem-solving skills.
• At Bede’s Prep, we are passionate about helping every child discover the joy of mathematics. We are confident that with our supportive and dynamic approach, your child will develop the skills and confidence needed to excel in this subject, both now and in the future.
Shamara Brown Head of Maths
At Bede’s Prep, our Year 1 and Year 2 Mathematics curriculum is designed to build a strong foundation in key mathematical concepts, ensuring that pupils develop the confidence and skills necessary for their future learning. The curriculum is aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the National Curriculum, focusing on fluency, problemsolving, and logical reasoning.
In Year 1, the primary aim is to establish a solid understanding of basic mathematical principles. Pupils start by developing fluency in number recognition and place value, learning to count forwards and backwards up to 100. They are introduced to simple addition and subtraction, using objects and mental strategies to solve problems. A key focus is on understanding the place value of digits in two-digit numbers, which helps build a foundation for more complex arithmetic.
Pupils also begin to explore the concepts of multiplication and division, understanding these as repeated addition and sharing, respectively. They start to work with fractions, recognising and finding halves and quarters of objects and quantities.
Measurement is another significant area in Year 1, where pupils learn to compare lengths, heights, weights, and volumes using appropriate vocabulary. They also start to tell the time to the hour and halfhour and begin to understand the days of the week, months, and seasons.
Geometry in Year 1 involves identifying and naming common 2D shapes (such as squares and circles) and 3D shapes (such as cubes and spheres). Pupils also start to describe positions, directions, and movements, including whole and half-turns.
In Year 2, pupils build on the foundations laid in Year 1, deepening their understanding and beginning to apply their skills more independently.
The focus continues on number and place value, with pupils learning to count in steps of 2, 3, 5, and 10 from any number. They also develop their ability to compare and order numbers up to 100, using symbols like >, <, and =.
Addition and subtraction become more complex, with pupils learning to add and subtract two-digit numbers using various strategies, including number bonds and place value. They also start solving word problems that involve these operations.
Multiplication and division are emphasised more in Year 2, with pupils recalling and using facts from the 2, 5, and 10 times tables. They learn to solve multiplication and division problems using arrays, repeated addition, and mental methods.
In fractions, Year 2 pupils work on recognising and writing simple fractions, such as 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4, and understanding the equivalence between some fractions, like 2/4 and 1/2.
Measurement in Year 2 covers using standard units to measure length, height, weight, temperature, and capacity. Pupils also learn to use money and tell the time to the nearest five minutes.
Geometry lessons continue with identifying properties of 2D and 3D shapes and describing their positions and movements. Pupils also start working with simple statistics, such as interpreting pictograms, tally charts, and block diagrams.
The Year 1 and Year 2 mathematics curriculum is structured to provide a balanced and thorough grounding in essential mathematical skills. Through hands-on learning, problem-solving activities, and practical applications, pupils at Bede’s Prep are encouraged to explore and enjoy mathematics, building a strong foundation for future success.
Science
At Bede’s Pre-Prep, we are committed to providing a rich and engaging educational experience for your child. As part of our enquiry-based curriculum, we have integrated the Switched on Science scheme by Rising Stars, which beautifully complements our approach to learning in the foundation subjects. The scheme aligns perfectly with our enquiry-based curriculum, encouraging students to ask questions, explore ideas, and discover the wonders of the natural world.
What skills will my child develop?
• Scientific Enquiry: Encouraging curiosity by asking questions, making predictions, and investigating answers.
• Practical Skills: Handling and using simple scientific equipment, observing and recording results.
• Critical Thinking: Analysing findings and drawing conclusions based on evidence.
• Collaborative Learning: Working with peers to share ideas, conduct experiments, and solve problems together.
• Communication: Expressing ideas and findings clearly, both orally and in writing.
Hints & Tips for Home
Supporting your child’s scientific learning at home can be both fun and rewarding. Here are a few ideas to help foster their curiosity and love for science:
• Explore Nature Together: Take walks in local parks or visit nature reserves. Encourage your child to observe plants, animals, and seasonal changes, and discuss what they notice.
• Kitchen Experiments: Involve your child in simple, safe experiments at home, such as mixing baking soda and vinegar to see the reaction or exploring how different materials dissolve in water.
Websites: www.bbcbitesize.co.uk
Amy Turner Head of Science
The Switched on Science scheme for Year 1 and 2 is filled with exciting topics that captivate young minds and lay the foundation for a lifelong interest in science. Below are some of the key themes your child will explore:
Year 1:
• Everyday Materials: Discovering different materials and their properties, understanding why certain materials are used for specific purposes.
• Seasonal Changes: Observing the changes across the four seasons, including weather patterns and how they affect the environment.
• Plants and Animals: Learning about different types of plants and animals, their habitats, and how they grow and change.
Year 2:
• Uses of Everyday Materials: Expanding on the knowledge from Year 1, investigating how materials can be changed and used in various ways.
• Living Things and Their Habitats: Exploring how animals and plants are suited to their habitats and the importance of caring for the environment.
• Forces and Movement: Understanding how forces like push and pull affect the movement of objects, through fun and interactive activities.
Our curriculum at Bede’s Pre-Prep ensures that learning is a journey of exploration and discovery. The Switched on Science scheme supports this by providing a structured yet flexible framework, allowing children to engage with science in a meaningful and enjoyable way.
Modern Foreign Languages
Learning a language is like discovering a new world. Pupils at Bede’s Prep study French from Reception; at this young age, children are able to pick up accurate pronunciation of French words easily.
In Years 1 and 2 pupils develop their languages skills further through a plethora of activities such as games, songs and role plays. We also use a range of media (such as books and video clips) in our lessons to tell authentic stories in the language. Repetition is key in the children’s learning and we consistently revisit a range of songs and rhymes which helps the children to cement their learning and increase fluency in their target language.
Alongside speaking the language itself, learning a foreign language provides an opening to other cultures; through their French lessons, pupils in Years 1 and 2 start to deepen their understanding of the world.
In Years 1 and 2, pupils revisit and extend the basic vocabulary learned in Reception to craft full sentences in French and gain the confidence to begin speaking the language in a conversational setting.
Children learn through games, songs and video clips, as well as building their literacy skills by starting to read and write single words and simple sentences in French. Pupils learn to say their names, ask someone else’s name, tell someone their age and ask how old someone else is. Pupils also start using French numbers confidently, and can name different parts of the body.
Other basic vocabulary learned includes the days of the week, months and colours, and we also cover the topics of clothes, home, weather, family and food.
What skills will my child develop?
Pupils start building sentences and linking sentences together, and are taught to:
• Listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding
• Explore the patterns and sounds of language through songs and rhymes, and link the spelling, sound and meaning of words
• Engage in conversations; ask and answer questions
• Appreciate stories, songs, poems and rhymes in the language
Hints & Tips for Home
• www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
Marie Allirot Teacher of French
Drama
At Bede’s, we want to encourage meaningful participation and enjoyment of drama and theatre, inside and outside of school. We believe in ‘Drama for All’, and offer opportunities to engage on a range of different levels. Pupils are taught drama skills and techniques during lessons and pupils are encouraged to seize the many opportunities available to perform. In the Drama department, we are committed to excellence. We share a love of performance and collaboration and a desire to inspire pupils to share this. We are fortunate to have drama specialists, who teach the curriculum, activities and as the children grow up, we gradually scale up the ambition and complexity of the skills taught, productions staged and the scripts we study. Drama is an art form that is a practical activity, an emotional process and an intellectual discipline. At its core are the concepts of communication, shared experience, understanding and empathy. Drama involves the creation of imagined characters and situations which are enacted within a safe environment and a designated space. Like all arts subjects, drama helps children to make sense of their world and their place within it. Drama enables children to express themselves creatively, imaginatively, and to communicate with others effectively. It is a vital way of communicating in school and in public life. It builds confidence, teaches respect for others, and aids understanding of different needs, cultures, and lives. Drama is an effective teaching tool, as practical learning is crucial to understanding and becomes a valuable learning method when employed to illuminate other areas of the curriculum.
In Year 1 and 2, the children experience drama through the wider curriculum, taking part in activities linked to a variety of topics. In English, they have the opportunity to act out specific scenes from a range of texts, as well as hot seating the characters. They also have opportunities to take part in termly workshops, in the Prep School Theatre, run by a drama specialist.
The Year 1 and 2 children perform a play at the end of the Autumn Term. They very much enjoy preparing for the Christmas Nativity. The children learn their lines and rehearse songs in order to perform to an audience of family and friends.
In Drama, the overall focus is to promote self-confidence, the ability to work with others, communication skills, self-discipline, creativity, empathy and understanding – all of which are valuable life skills.
What skills will my child develop?
• Developing confidence
• Team building and collaboration
• Development of empathy and an awareness of others
• Presentation skills and transferable ‘life’ skills
• Development and improvement of creativity
Hints & Tips for Home
• For LAMDA information: https://www.lamda.ac.uk/lamda-exams/our-exams
Laura Burdekin Head of Drama
Art and Design
Art and Design plays a large role in all aspects of learning throughout the Pre-Prep years. The children’s learning is made as hands-on as possible throughout all subjects, and practicing the creative arts is the perfect way for children to spark conversations, make connections in their learning and to experiment with different media types.
Children in the Junior years learn Art and Design in a stimulating and inspiring environment in which pupils’ confidence and creativity are promoted. In these year groups, pupils are introduced to different materials and encouraged to experiment and take risks. Our specialist teachers ensure that pupils are engaged with their own learning and that their ideas are facilitated, encouraging them to make informed opinions and confidently communicate their ideas.
Alongside developing an aesthetic sense by describing artifacts and images, children are encouraged to evaluate their own and others’ work. Throughout Years 1 and 2, pupils become visually literate and able to understand art as a form of visual and tactile communication. Pupils’ aesthetic sensibilities are developed, as is their ability to make informed judgements about art and design.
Art is an important field that encourages pupils to enjoy and value the visual, tactile, and other sensory dimensions of the natural and made environment. Through the study of the subject, pupils gain the ability to articulate and communicate ideas, opinions and feelings about their own work and the work of others, as well as to respond thoughtfully and critically to ideas, images and varied objects from a range of cultures.
What skills will my child develop?
• Experimenting with different mixed media
• Communication skills using the appropriate vocabulary
• Identifying the 2D and 3D shapes
• Learning about primary and secondary colours and mixing paint
• Variations of mark making
• Space awareness
• Confidence to express personal artistic styles
• Development of fine moto skills. (small paint brushes, detailed drawings, observational drawing)
• Knowledge of influential artists
Hints & Tips for Home
• Towner Art Gallery www.townereastbourne.org.uk
• National Gallery www.nationalgallery.org.uk
• Peggy Guggenheim Collection www.guggenheim-venice.it/inglese/default.html
• Washington D.C National Gallery www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/education/kids.htm
• The National Portrait Gallery www.About.com/NationalPortraitGallery
• The Tate Online www.tate.org.uk
• Young at Art www.youngatart.co.uk
Rachael Armitage Head of Art & Design
Throughout Years 1 and 2, children enjoy termly workshops engaged with cross-curricular development. Pupils have the opportunity to work with a range of different mediums, including clay, and to enter their artwork into local art and design competitions. In recent years, pupils have submitted pieces to the ‘Festival of Flowers’ art exhibition at Chichester Cathedral, the ‘Eastbourne Sunshine Carnival’ poster design competition and the ‘Explorer in Bloom’ competition.
In Year 1, we often use a wide range of mixed media to explore 2D and 3D shapes, looking at their properties and how they can lend themselves to art projects -culminating in the creation of three-dimensional story characters. We also explore a range of different textures and consider different creations in which they can be used. Projects could include bear puppets created from felt, cotton and buttons (inspired by ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’); rocket ships made out of recycled washing up liquid bottles; and dolls houses created from upcycled shoe boxes. All of these projects are carefully designed and planned before making, and the children evaluate their finished products.
We also talk about the colour wheel and explore primary and secondary colours. The children always enjoy mixing the paints and discovering what colours can be made. We explore the properties of warm and cold colours, and how and when these can be used. We take full advantage of the beach and South Downs being right on our doorstep by enjoying regular seasonal walks, where the children gain inspiration for their pictures and learn how to identify the colours required to suit. On these seasonal walks, the children are also given the opportunity to sit and sketch the landscapes around them.
In Year 2, pupils begin their introduction to the main art rooms with a range of workshops. Through a variety of topic-based learning, Year 2 learn:
• to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products, including clay pieces such as fossil imprints and Christmas decorations.
• to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination.
• to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space.
• about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines and making links to their own work.
We have explored a range of artists in recent years, including Paul Klee, Claude Monet, Andy Goldsworthy, L. S. Lowry and Edward Hopper.
Computing
From Year 1, Bede’s Prep pupils receive weekly discrete Computing lessons with a subject specialist, in our dedicated IT suite.
They learn fundamental e-safety techniques and consider the importance of safeguarding our personal information when online. This helps Bede’s Prep pupils develop into well-rounded digital citizens.
Our young pupils also get their first taste of key programming concepts, which will continue to be developed as they move through the school. Our experience over many years of teaching programming concepts to small groups means all Bede’s Prep pupils benefit as we educate our learners in this sometimes demanding, but important modernday skill. For them, this is the start of a journey that makes Bede’s Prep pupils amongst the most technically able in our digital world.
What skills will my child develop?
• Fluency with using the mouse and keyboard.
• A knowledge of the types of personal information that should not be shared online, and an understanding of who to talk to should something worry or upset us.
• Knowledge of how an ‘algorithm’ formed, and how this relates to instructions for machines.
• An appreciation of how to control electronic devices, leading to a basic understanding of how to construct computer code.
• An ability to use word processing, graphic design and multimedia presentation tools to produce digital content.
Hints & Tips for Home
• Supervise your child in practising how to: send and receive emails, with and without attachments, applying all the appropriate e-safety skills, use efficient search techniques when using the web and practice word processing to gain fluency in basic formatting tools and become more familiar with keyboard layout
The following websites may also be helpful:
• Develop coding techniques to create videogames at http://www.purplemash.com/bedesprep
• Support with staying safe online is available at www.thinkuknow.co.uk
In Year 1 and above, Bede’s Prep pupils receive weekly discrete Computing lessons with a subject specialist, in our dedicated IT suite.
The pupils continue to develop their confidence in controlling technological devices, and accurate use of the mouse to select appropriate icons and drag objects on the screen is practised. Pupils gain familiarity with the keyboard, and typing challenges see the pupils improving their keyboard familiarity in preparation for the application of this skill to all other areas.
Bede’s Prep pupils of this age also gain solid grounding in core applications, which they then apply to their work in all curriculum areas; amongst this, they start to learn how to master word processing and multimedia presentation techniques.
Pupils learn about the technology around them. They develop their understanding of technology and how it can help them in their everyday lives. Pupils will start to become familiar with the different components of a computer. Pupils will also consider how to use technology responsibly.
Pupils in Year 2 discover computer algorithms and start to consider how a set of instructions can become a computer program. They see how instructions need to be precise and unambiguous as they complete a variety of challenges. They experiment with robots and create increasingly efficient algorithms for machines to follow in order to draw images and follow routes on a map. The pupils then develop this further by coding simple apps for PC and tablet devices. They create simple games and construct programs that control how a character moves on the screen. They also explore ‘events’ in code and try to make the computer do something when images are clicked, keys are pressed or objects collide. They look at different forms of input and explore the key principle of selection using conditional events.
Pupils also learn about computer animation. They use software to create short cartoons and develop their drawing skills on the computer whilst exploring techniques that professional animators use.
Geography
Geography teaches children an understanding of places and environments. It motivates children to find out about the physical world and it should enable them to recognise the importance of sustainable development to the future of mankind. Our aim at Bede’s is to encourage pupils to value the rich and diverse school environment and to celebrate its wide catchment area both locally and globally. Pupils should be encouraged to use these resources with sensitivity, responsibility and imagination. Geography plays a vital role in developing pupils’ understanding of different attitudes, values and beliefs throughout the world. Linked to this spiritual, moral, social, environmental and cultural education. At Bede’s staff aim to develop children’s knowledge and understanding of geography by teaching about physical and human environments and their interrelation in such a way as to assist pupils make sense of the world around them.
Given the wonderful surroundings of the Prep School, pupils attend a fortnightly Beach School, where they can study physical geography, alongside learning about the geography and history of our local area, the environment and natural sciences.
During Years 1 and 2 we will study geographical features such as the beach, cliffs, coast and forest and as well as aspects of human geography, including cities, towns and villages. By comparing a small area of the UK pupils begin to understand the similarities and differences between human and physical geography. Pupils will also become familiar with the four countries and capital cities within the United Kingdom.
We also consider the seasons and daily weather patterns in the UK, as well as the location of hot and cold areas of the world. Pupils learn to use maps, globes and atlases, as well as photographs to recognise landmarks and basic features. We also introduce pupils to compass directions and locational and directional language.
Throughout these years we undertake regular fieldwork sessions in order to understand our local environment.
Adam Brewer Head of Geography
What skills will my child develop?
• To ask geographical questions in order to find out aspects of living in a given location.
• To observe and to record findings
• To use and make plans, maps and globes in a range of scales.
• To use secondary sources, for example the internet, CD Roms and DVDs to enhance learning.
Hints & Tips for Home
• Get out and about to explore the local area on walks, using a map to plan journeys and follow a route.
• Many animated films for children feature a surprising amount of geographical information including Moana, the Ice Age series and Froze. If you watch these films together with your child, try discussing the geographical aspects with them.
• Write letters and exchange postcards with family members and friends in different countries to help children learn more about them.
History
The overall aim is that History should be verbally, visually and experientially varied, interesting and enjoyable and, above all, a skills-based form of learning. All are supported by giving hands-on, physical and enjoyable experiences, which includes a great deal of team-teaching and cross-curricular elements. The curriculum uses enquiry-based learning, which revolves around fostering curiosity and critical thinking skills in pupils. It involves posing questions or problems to pupils and guiding them to explore and discover answers through investigation, research, and hands-on experiences. This approach encourages active engagement, collaboration, and independent thinking, as pupils take ownership of their learning process
In Year 1, pupils will answer the following questions throughout the year:
• How am I making history?
• How have toys changed?
• How have explorers changed the world?
In Year 2, pupils will answer these questions:
• How were cities different in the past?
• How did we learn to fly?
• What is a monarch?
By structuring the curriculum around carefully crafted enquiry questions and aligned objectives, we ensure that learning remains purposeful and meaningful, while still allowing room for curiosity-driven exploration.
What skills will my child develop?
• Explore and discover through investigation
• Use dates related to the passing of time
• Able to identify different ways to represent the past
• To ask and answer questions related to different sources and objects
• Develop empathy and understanding as to why people did things in the past
Phil Betts Head of History
Hints & Tips for Home
• • www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory
• • www.britishmuseum.org
• • Enjoy reading fun factual history books at home
Dance
The aim of the Dance Department is the provision of high quality dance tuition that develops pupils’ physical and creative skills.
Bede’s Prep Dance offers a wide range of styles available from Nursery through to Year 8, either via curriculum dance, specialised dance classes during the school day within the Dance Programme or through our clubs and activities. Pupils can take Ballet, Contemporary, Modern/Jazz, Tap, Street, Musical Theatre and Choreography.
Whether students want to learn purely for fun or if they are looking to train for a career in the Performing Arts then Bede’s Prep Dance offers them everything they need to fulfil their ambition.
There are two elements to the Dance Programme at Bede’s Prep – Curriculum based classes and CoCurricular dance activities. Curriculum dance is taken by all pupils up to and including Year 4. The delivery of these sessions is practically focussed to ensure that students are engaged at a level most suited to the stage of development of their bodies. All classes are taught by professional dance subject specialists and all classes are delivered at the highest possible standard. Pupils in Years 1 and 2 also have access to specialist dance classes in ballet, tap and modern via the Co-Curricular Programme. What skills will my child
• Strong dance technique
• Self discipline and strong work ethic
• Creativity
• Confidence and self belief
• Independence and teamwork Hints & Tips for
• www.istd.org
• www.royalacademyofdance.org
Curriculum dance
Nicci Ullah Head of Dance
The main aim of curriculum dance is to offer dance opportunities to all, which enhance confidence, develop the pupils’ physical skills, stamina, creativity, expression, and musicality using a range of sounds and musical styles. This strong foundation in curriculum dance prepares pupils for a successful transition to other dance genres at higher levels.
Creativity and imaginative choreography by the pupils leads to a greater depth of expression through movement improving confidence and recall skills. Pupils have the opportunity to hone the key skills of dancing in duets and groups, encouraging team work and working with partners. Furthermore, dance has a very special place in the school and during their time here children are encouraged to participate in numerous live performances in co-operation with other departments such as drama and music.
In Years 1 and 2 pupils get the chance to show off their dance skills in a yearly nativity production, which includes dancing, singing and acting!
Dance Programme
The introductory Bede’s Prep Dance Programme is aimed at dancers who have a particular talent or interest in the subject. The full programme starts in year 5, but pupils in year 3 also get the chance to access the Dance Programme classes too and years 1 and 2 can also take specialist classes via dance clubs.
The programme consists of weekly classes in three core disciplines- Ballet, Modern and Tap. From Year 2, examinations can be taken in the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) for Ballet and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD) for Modern and Tap.
Each of these three core disciplines trains the dancers in a different way. Ballet is the foundation of all dance and teaches pupils a good strong classical technique, which assists them not only in all other dance styles, but in a general healthy lifestyle too. The RAD syllabus aims to promote dancers who make innovative, artistic and lasting contributions to dance.
With the thoughtfully planned and well-tried ISTD Modern examination syllabus, which combines modern dance, jazz and other dance styles, pupils are trained to become disciplined and versatile dancers who have a professional attitude towards dance. The ISTD Tap exams and Medal Tests are recognised internationally for their quality and excellence and teach the pupils all about rhythm, timing, dynamic and percussive dancing.
All pupils from Year 2 involved in the Dance Programme, specialist classes and/or clubs and activities will be involved in the yearly Dance Showcase as part of the
Bede’s Prep training. The Dance Showcase is a big event in the Bede’s calendar. All dancers taking part get the opportunity to work on specially choreographed dances in all disciplines they study, to perform in front of their friends and family. The show is run as professionally as possible giving the pupils a real insight into the dance world and what it truly takes to put on a show! The pupils gain so much confidence from these performances as well as learning many additional skills like performance quality, performing under pressure and teamwork, to name a few.
Music
Music is a part of life, as intrinsic as reading and writing. It exists all around us from telephone ringtones to scores to accompany films and ‘lift music’ and in the junior years we try to raise the awareness and appreciation of music in all its forms.
Music lessons change significantly throughout these Pre-Prep years. Year 1 starts in a very similar way musically to how classes in Reception ended, with pupils singing songs linked to the topic being studied in class. Music and movement are very intertwined at this stage and many songs have actions that enable pupils to participate physically.
As pupils move into Year 2 the increasing sophistication of the repertoire studied, still largely linked to the topic work in class, means pupils perform in more complex ways e.g.by singing in parts and rounds or adding instrumental accompaniment. Pupils will also undertake instrumental work, using both classroom percussion and recorders. Musical performance is a cornerstone of the work undertaken in these early years. Pupils often perform together, for example in the Holywell nativity or Pre-Prep concerts or as part of the section song at inter-section music. In addition there are opportunities for solo performances in class lessons and in concerts. By the end of Year 2 many pupils are participating in optional individual or paired music lessons, and these pupils have even more performance opportunities as pupils right across the school come together to perform in a series of instrumental family specific concerts.
What skills will my child develop?
• Pupils move from recognising music which is fast, slow, loud and quiet to identifying and being able to play music which gets louder, quieter, faster and slower.
• Pupils develop a greater understanding of the different ways in which music (operas and musicals) tells stories.
• Pupils learn to explore, create and notate their own ‘sound pictures’.
• Pupils progress from singing and simple classroom percussion to instruments, (especially the recorder in Year 2.)
• Pupils learn to practise and perfect music for a performance and play together harmoniously with attention to others.
Hints & Tips for Home
• Listen to music together and discuss how it makes you feel, the instruments used and what the composer is trying to convey.
• Chrome music lab (https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/) is a fantastic resource to support experimentation / collaboration and early composition skills.
• House of sound (https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/music--science-ks2-house-ofsound/zncr7nb) helps pupils understand how instruments in different musical families make the sounds they do.
• Any experience of live and recorded musical performance, in any form and location, is of great benefit to their musical experience and education.
• Take your child to live music: e.g. musicals, recitals or concerts.
Alex Farley Head of Music
In Year 1, music lessons are frequent, and mostly linked to the topic being studied by the class. While there are some lessons in which the skills of listening and appraising, composing and performing are developed, most lessons are a study of songs, often action songs, that tie to the classwork linked to the current topic being undertaken in other subjects. The variety comes from the ever changing repertoire as the class progresses to different topics over the year. There are opportunities for solo singing as well as group singing.
In Year 2, music lessons are still primarily linked to the topic being studied in class, but the musical complexity of the material steadily increases. Songs are more likely to be sung in parts, or to have instrumental accompaniment, provided by the pupils themselves. Pupils begin to learn instruments together focussing at first on classroom percussion, and also the recorder. They begin to learn how to change volume and tempo in response to a conductor. Many pupils choose to begin individual or paired instrumental lessons.
The Pre-Prep music ‘carousel’ is an opportunity for pupils from Reception to Year 2 to play together and share their music making. This is a vehicle for teaching increasingly sophisticated songs, in which several different groups of children perform in different ways at the same time. There are multiple concerts throughout the year for parents to hear what has been happening. Pupils from Reception to Year 2 also come together in the second half of the Autumn Term to work on the nativity. While Year 2 pupils tend to have the more complex roles, with solo singing and individual lines, all pupils are involved, and learn to sing, dance and act together.
There is a whole series of instrumental, or instrumental family, concerts throughout the year. All pupils having individual or paired instrumental or vocal lessons, in or out of school, are asked to perform at the relevant concerts. In addition some of the older pupils in these Years may be beginning to take instrumental examinations and are given the opportunity to perform their exam pieces to an audience (as no-one gets to hear them perform in the exam).
Physical Education
PE in Years 1 and 2, introduces a curriculum based in play. The pupils experience a variety of activities to contrast with and complement their games sessions. The programme leads through modules in fitness with Cross Country as the focus; Basketball; Gymnastics; Racquet Sports and Athletics. This enables them success as individuals and the opportunity to take ownership of their own health and fitness. Within the department, for Early Years PE, we introduce the understanding of body systems, and wellbeing. This feeds into the ethos which promotes the holistic care of body and mind.
At Bede’s we do not just want our pupils to be fit for school, we want to promote and encourage fitness for life by giving our pupils the tools to work with from an early age, whatever their level, body type or personal preferences within sport and exercise. We aim to promote and encourage healthy and positive attitudes towards both.
What skills will my child develop?
• Pupils begin to explore the basic functions of the body systems in relation to ‘fun running’ and cross country training.
• Pupils are introduced to the concept of hand/eye coordination through the basic skill acquisition required to play basketball.
• Pupils are introduced to the concepts of core strength, agility and flexibility whilst practising and performing gymnastic routines, basic vaults and on the trampoline.
• Racquet sports, experimenting and exploring different types of racquets and balls to enhance skills such as agility, speed, coordination and balance.
• Athletics introduces and explores the acquisition and maintenance of fitness levels as well as the key focus on locomotor skills for running, jumping and throwing.
David Byrne Director of Sport
Our Year 1 & 2 pupils have access to exactly the same framework as older pupils but through a play based curriculum.
With ever growing connections between the healthy body and healthy mind, our curriculum works to enable our younger pupils to take ownership of their physical and mental health by encouraging them to understand that there are many ways to exercise and how best to link the process to the desired outcome - and enjoy themselves on the way.
At Bede’s Prep we are fortunate in the geography of our site; the shingle beaches and hill runs of the South Downs provide not just a stunning setting but the very practical terrain to enhance the first Fitness Module focussing on Cross Country. We open our eyes as often as our lungs to breathe in the surroundings and revel in the outdoors whilst introducing running for fun. Pupils become familiar with finding their pulse before and after exercise compare and contrast the effect. Every level is catered for with added emphasis on running as a ‘squad’ within the lessons and supporting the achievements of all.
Basketball is a great team game to introduce hand eye coordination using different types of ball to safely practise the various skills and combinations required to play the game, from shooting, passing, dribbling and ball handling and footwork. Learning to play basketball in PE lends transitional skills to the core sports that we focus on in our games sessions and helps build camaraderie and teamwork as well as being really good fun.
In Gymnastics, pupils begin to development fundamental movement skills and our curriculum can cater for the ranging abilities within our classes in order to extend everyone with achievable, introductory activities across a range of apparatus. In addition to the fitness attributes of gymnastics there are also positive associations between FMS and a child’s social skills, self-esteem and academic performance not to mention being an outlet for choreography and expression through movement.
In PE Racquet Sports, we focus on introducing a range of equipment to encourage exploration and invention through game play. Pupils learn to apply trial and error to the equipment and come up with their own rules to organise game play, devising processes to achieve outcome devised by themselves. This supports independent, thinking, decision making and creativity within sport and encourages the children to have confidence in their ideas and share them with the groups.
The emphasis in the Athletics programme is on introducing ways and opportunities for pupils to challenge themselves to run faster or for a longer period, to throw an implement further and to jump further or higher. Our PE Curriculum outlines the specifics of each of the strands and encourages the success of the individual, with the aim to compete against oneself as much as anybody else in order to improve.
The lessons we learn about being competitive in sport are so important and emulate so much of what we experience in our wider lives - to win and lose graciously are such important testaments to the character of our students. What we hope to instil in our Bedian’s, is the desire to keep trying and never give up.
PSHE
At our school, the Jigsaw PSHE scheme of work is an integral part of our Key Stage 1 curriculum, designed to support the personal, social, health, and emotional development of every child. We place great importance on pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural (SMSC) growth, which forms the foundation of our school ethos. Through PSHE, we promote British Values, helping our children become healthy, responsible individuals prepared for life in modern Britain and beyond. This approach ensures that children develop the confidence to navigate moral, social, and cultural challenges as they grow.
Our PSHE curriculum, through the Jigsaw scheme, is designed to be accessible and ageappropriate, ensuring that all children gain valuable knowledge and understanding of the world. The Jigsaw programme covers a range of topics that allow children to explore concepts in a safe and supportive environment. By doing so, we equip them with essential skills to thrive both now and in the future.
The Jigsaw PSHE scheme for Key Stage 1 is divided into the following key themes:
• Being Me in My World (understanding self and school roles)
• Celebrating Difference (respecting diversity and individuality)
• Dreams and Goals (setting personal targets and aspirations)
• Healthy Me (understanding physical and mental health)
• Relationships (building positive friendships and family ties)
• Changing Me (learning about change, including physical development) These themes are carefully selected to meet the developmental needs of our children, providing them with the opportunity to explore important topics and develop vital life skills.
What skills will my child develop?
• Understanding and managing emotions
• Building positive relationships with others
• Developing a sense of responsibility and safety
• Setting and achieving personal goals
• Learning about physical and mental well-being
Hints & Tips for Home
• Encourage your child to recognise and express their emotions through talking or creative activities.
• Support them in learning about personal hygiene routines, such as handwashing and brushing teeth.
• Engage in discussions about friendships and how to handle different social situations.
• Take part in cooking simple, healthy meals together and talk about the importance of a balanced diet.
• Play games that encourage taking turns and teamwork, helping your child learn to win or lose gracefully.
• Use everyday activities like nature walks to discuss changes in the world, linking them to what your child is learning about themselves.
Through the Jigsaw PSHE scheme, we aim to nurture well-rounded, confident, and empathetic children, ready to take on the world with positivity and resilience.
Anna Green Head of Reception - Year 2
Our aim is to create a nurturing environment where children not only thrive academically but also grow as well-rounded, confident individuals. We focus on fostering a love of learning with a sense of purpose, encouraging children to engage fully with their education, knowing that the more they invest in their learning journey, the more they will gain from it.
We teach our pupils to respect the ideas and beliefs of others, while nurturing their natural curiosity and encouraging them to explore the world with a sense of enterprise and joy. At the heart of our approach is the belief that every child should have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to lead healthy, independent lives and become responsible citizens who actively contribute to society.
We believe in helping children understand themselves as individuals who are constantly growing and changing, while also recognising their role as active members of their community. As they progress through school, we support their journey toward becoming more mature, independent, and self-assured, guiding them in making informed choices about their health, wellbeing, and environment.
Through our teaching, we aim to instil a strong sense of social justice and moral responsibility, helping children understand how their choices and actions can have an impact on local, national, and global issues. We encourage active participation in school and community life, fostering empathy and resilience, while ensuring that every child feels equipped to face the changes and challenges each individual faces.
Ultimately, we are committed to helping our pupils build a strong foundation of life skills, from resisting bullying to supporting those around them, empowering them to grow into compassionate, informed children who are ready to take on the world with confidence and care.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
At Bede’s we welcome and value the cultural, linguistic and educational experiences that pupils who have English as a second language bring to the School. Our aim is to ensure that every child’s experience with us is a fulfilling and enjoyable one, both academically and emotionally.
We recognise that children, who are learning English as an additional language, are immersed into a ‘world’ that they may not fully understand. We are also aware that EAL pupils may feel frustrated by their ability to communicate their understanding of a subject in English but recognise that they may be advanced in a subject. It is our role to support these children, providing them with the necessary tools in order to meet their full potential.
Our aim at Bede’s is to ensure that every child feels comfortable and confident in their surroundings; to enable EAL pupils to become confident and fluent in English speaking and listening, reading and writing so that they are able to fulfil their academic potential and to ensure that every child is able to participate fully in school life and become part of the community at Bede’s.
On arrival at Bede’s all EAL children will have their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills assessed in order to ascertain the level of support they need.
An individual Provision Map and Learning Plan will be created for each child. This plan is available to all members of the Bede’s teaching staff and will include a list of recommendations in order for the teacher to support the EAL pupil.
The EAL specialist will work closely with classroom/subject teachers to help support EAL students to access the curriculum and where appropriate, EAL pupils will be supported by a teaching assistant in the classroom to enable the pupil to complete tasks with understanding.
What skills will my child develop?
• Pupils will develop their English reading, writing,speaking and listening skills.
Helpful Resources
• https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/
Learning Enhancement
At Bede’s Prep School we aim to ensure that every pupil has the ability to fulfil his/her best possible potential. Within the Learning Enhancement department our vision is to provide the following:
• To identify pupils who need additional support and ensure that there is a whole school approach to their learning and development.
• To assess pupils to ascertain the level of support required. If necessary use external agencies e.g. Educational Psychologists for additional diagnosis.
• To enable staff to provide appropriate provision and offer strategies to support pupil learning.
• To keep staff up-to-date on changes and needs of pupils and ensure all pupil’s achievements are valued by staff and children themselves.
• To support the monitoring of pupil progression, in collaboration with colleagues and the Deputy Head, Academic.
• To encourage pupils to become independent learners.
• To promote feelings of self-confidence and a positive wellbeing.
• To develop and maintain positive relationships with parent/carers.
• To work within the guidelines set out in the SEN Code of Practice
Jacqui Howell Head of Learning Enhancement
Green Flag Award Winner
Bede’s Prep School’s Eco Committee, comprising enthusiastic representatives from Reception to Year 8, boasts a remarkable three-year legacy of progress in enhancing the school’s environmental practices. Their relentless dedication empowers students to effect change not only within the school but also in the broader community and beyond.
At the core of the Eco Committee’s endeavors lies the youthled Eco Schools program. Bede’s Prep School proudly holds the prestigious Green Flag Award (with Distinction) for two consecutive years. This achievement is a source of immense satisfaction, underscoring our collective commitment to positive action.
The Green Flag accreditation from Eco-Schools serves as a well-deserved recognition, celebrating the environmental achievements of our students. It instills confidence and motivation, reinforcing their lifelong engagement with ecological issues. Moreover, it positions Bede’s Prep as a forward-thinking institution dedicated to environmental education.
The Eco Committee’s initiatives encompass beach cleanups, local litter removal, energy monitoring, and compelling eco-awareness campaigns. They have orchestrated fundraisers for environmental charities, recycling campaigns, and impactful events like the electrifying ‘Black Out’ day. Through these efforts, Bede’s Prep School is fostering responsible stewards of the environment while leaving an enduring mark on sustainability.
Eco Literacy
At Bede’s Pre-Prep, we believe in fostering a deep connection between our students and the natural world. Our Eco-Literacy curriculum is designed to weave themes of ecology and sustainability into our literacy and foundation subjects, ensuring that our young learners not only become proficient readers and writers but also develop a strong sense of environmental responsibility.
Throughout the Key Stage 1 curriculum, we incorporate a variety of thematic fiction, poetry, and non-fiction texts that explore the beauty of the natural world and the importance of caring for our planet. These carefully selected texts serve as a springboard for discussions, creative writing, and projects that highlight the significance of sustainability in everyday life.
Whether it’s reading a story about the adventures of a forest-dwelling animal, composing poems inspired by the seasons, or exploring the impact of plastic waste through non-fiction, our Eco-Literacy curriculum engages students in meaningful learning experiences. This approach not only enriches their literacy skills but also instils a lifelong commitment to preserving the environment.
By integrating eco-themed content across subjects, we aim to nurture a generation of informed, thoughtful, and environmentallyconscious individuals who are equipped to make a positive impact on the world around them.
Learning in the Heart of Nature
Beach School:
At Bede’s Prep, we believe that education extends far beyond the classroom walls. With the spectacular Eastbourne seafront right on our doorstep, we are uniquely placed to offer an exciting outdoor learning experience through our Beach School programme for children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2. Every fortnight, the entire Pre-Prep department embarks on a short and invigorating walk to the picturesque Holywell beach, where the children enjoy a wealth of opportunities to enhance their learning in a hands-on, nature-based environment.
Our Beach School sessions are carefully crafted to complement and enrich the curriculum, offering a dynamic and engaging way for students to explore the subjects they’re learning in class. We take full advantage of the natural surroundings to inspire creativity, deepen understanding, and promote wellbeing, all while encouraging a sense of adventure and exploration. Whether it’s using the multicoloured beach pebbles to create beautiful art projects, or searching for shells and seaweed to bring science lessons to life, the beach provides an endless source of inspiration for curious young minds.
In addition to its academic benefits, Beach School offers important social and emotional advantages. Outdoor play and discovery in a relaxed setting allow the children to develop vital teamwork and communication skills, while the open space provides ample opportunity for them to run, jump, and explore freely, enhancing their physical development. It’s all part of fostering a sense of joy and wonder that we believe should be at the heart of every child’s learning journey.
At Bede’s Prep, we are incredibly fortunate to be situated in one of the most beautiful locations on the South Coast, and our Beach School programme ensures that we make the most of it. The children develop a sense of connection to their environment and learn to appreciate the natural world in a meaningful way, which is key to our holistic approach to education. They are encouraged to ask questions, investigate the world around them, and think critically – skills that are vital for success in both their academic journey and life beyond the classroom.
Beach School is just one of the many ways Bede’s Prep stands out as a place where children’s education is not only about academic excellence but also about nurturing their love of learning in all its forms. We invite prospective parents and students to come and experience the magic of Beach School for themselves and discover how Bede’s offers a truly exceptional start to education.
Forest School
Forest School is an excellent way for the children to express their creativity and imagination and enjoy some child-led activities. The nature of Forest School is for children to grow their problem solving skills, independence and take reasonable and supported risks in their sessions. Many different activities are on offer during Forest School, including den building, mud kitchens, clay, woodland craft and problem solving games. There are also adult supported activities using tools including sawing, fire lighting, drilling, axe work and whittling.
In addition, we often take classroom activities to the forest, for example, measuring the perimeter of a shape with different length sticks in Maths, making South American Totem poles on the trees using clay in Geography, creating a senses poem in English, creating and finding evidence of food chains in Science and many more possibilities. There are many cross curricular links made during these sessions and they help to inspire the children’s imagination and creativity for their own ‘choosing time’.
