Pre-Preparatory School

We encourage pupils to be confident and also to embrace their individuality as they progress through the school. Working closely with the Preparatory school staff ensures that there is a seamless transition for your child as they move into the Preparatory School at the beginning of Year 3.

Pastoral Care

At Habs Pre-Prep, we pride ourselves on the outstanding pastoral care that we provide to our pupils and their families. We appreciate the importance of strong links between home and school during these formative years.

Our open-door policy, together with regular parent consultation meetings and information evenings, enables us to foster the mental health and wellbeing of every pupil in our care.

Our Values

Values are what we hold dear as a school, the core beliefs that we stand for. They drive all decisions and actions.

AMBITION

CURIOSITY

COURAGE

COMMUNITY

Co-curricular

A variety of lunchtime clubs are on offer including STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths), photography, chess, forest school, Spanish and arts and crafts.

There are many opportunities for parents to work in partnership with the school through regular social events. Parents are also invited to the annual Donkin Cup cross country race, sports day, swimming gala and the winter and summer productions.

Admissions

How To Apply

There are 36 places available at 4+ entry. Assessments take place in February/March of the proposed year of entry at the Pre-Prep in Hazel Road, Park Street. The first round of assessments is arranged in age bands. These assessments last approximately one and a half hours, during which time pupils undertake a range of age-appropriate tasks designed to identify potential.

Following a successful first assessment, pupils are invited back to the Senior School campus for a second assessment lasting approximately 45 minutes. During this time, parents are invited to meet the Headmaster or one of his deputies.

The assessments are conducted by members of the school’s teaching staff in a friendly and informal way. The aim is to help your child relax and feel comfortable so that their suitability for a place at Haberdashers’ can be assessed. Your child would only be offered a place if we feel they would be

happy and would thrive at the Pre-Prep. As we have a selective intake, the pace and expectations on your child will be high, and we take great care and pride in making the right decisions.

4+ offers are made in late March (five months before the September entry date). Once a child has been offered a place in the Pre-Preparatory School, they will automatically transfer to the Preparatory School for Year 3.

Scholarships

No bursaries or scholarships are available for entry to the Pre-Preparatory School.

Pre-Preparatory School Fees

Admission fees

Registration fee (non-returnable) - £100 Confirmation of acceptance – deposit - £1,000 The deposit payable on acceptance of a place will be returned when the pupil leaves the school

Annual fee

Pre-Preparatory School (including lunch) - £16,191

Notes

Tuition fees include the cost of stationery and the use of ordinary text books, apparatus etc. The fees also include Personal Accident and Dental Insurance (policy details available on request from the Finance office). With the exception of registration and entrance fees, all school fees are payable in advance by direct debit. Annual fees are payable in three termly instalments and are due by the first day of each term. Parents may choose to spread the payment of fees by paying monthly instalments through the ‘School Fee Plan’. Details of this scheme will be included in information packs distributed to parents by the Finance office. The school also operates a ‘Fees In Advance Scheme’, which can reduce the cost of fees by making a lump sum payment in advance. The terms and amounts for fees in advance can be tailored to suit individual needs; further details are available on request.

Preparatory School

Aims

• To nourish in bright pupils curiosity and a joy for learning • To challenge them to achieve the highest standards in and out of the classroom • To develop shared values and dedication to the community • To equip the pupils with strong character traits that prepare them for their future lives • To support parents in preparing their children for a fulfilled life • To prepare pupils for a smooth transition into the Senior School at 11+

Introduction

The Preparatory School (Prep) is a very special place, vibrant with the energy and curiosity of over 200 pupils, aged 7 to 11, from a wide range of local schools and communities. The Prep enjoys a unique mix of family atmosphere and close links with the Senior School, whose wonderful site and facilities it shares, and with Habs Girls next door. Classes are small, with 18 to 20 pupils, and there are three classes in each year. Teaching is exceptional, with highly qualified, self-reflective staff who model lifelong learning.

We aim to establish the foundations for your child to flourish. We aim to nourish his curiosity, underpinning it with outstanding analytical and communication skills; the confidence to take risks and embrace life; and the wisdom to be kind and dedicated to the wellbeing of his community

Location and Facilities

The Prep is located on the main Elstree campus in a purpose-built building opened by HRH Princess Margaret in 1983. In 2018, the Prep building underwent a major £3.5m refurbishment and extension to create a state-of-the-art teaching facility, including a specialist science laboratory, an art studio, computing suite, a design technology workshop, a library and an outdoor classroom. As well as sharing the magnificent grounds of the Senior School, Prep pupils use the Medburn Centre for sports and swimming and Seldon Hall for music.

School Life

The school offers a curriculum that is brimming with opportunities. In recent years, the Prep has excelled in national competitions, including winning the prestigious title of The Sunday Times Independent Preparatory School of the Year - the only school to have won twice, and the only boys’ school to have won at all. The school was also recently ranked first in The Sunday Times Parent Power league table (Key Stage 2).

The school offers a wealth of musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities, guided by passionate specialist teachers. Over half study at least one musical instrument in private lessons and every pupil takes part in our instrumental scheme, during which time they study an orchestral instrument of his choice,

free of charge, for the whole year; many of these fledgling musicians make their way into the Senior school’s first orchestra. There are drama opportunities for every year group and main productions for all pupils in Years 3 to 6. Sport and Games play a crucial role in School life, fostering character strengths and offering fitness and fun. There are over 50 clubs and societies; however, pupils with a special interest can start their own, supported by staff and eagerly attended by those of a like mind. Our aim is that all Prep pupils will flourish in the Senior School and the transition is made as natural and easy as possible, with no admission exam to the Senior School.

A well-balanced, cooked lunch is provided every day in the Bates Dining Hall. Most dietary requirements and lifestyles (e.g. kosher, halal, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free) are catered for as part of the daily menu. Sandwiches and a variety of cold drinks are also available.

The School Day

Pupils begin their school day at 8am and finish at 4pm. The daily timetable is:

8am – 8.30am Playground supervision 8.30am – 9.15am Registration/assembly 9.15am – 10am Lesson 1 10.00am – 10.45am Lesson 2 10.45am – 11.05am Break 11.05am – 11.50am Lesson 3 11.50am – 1pm Lunch 1pm – 1.45pm Lesson 4 1.45pm – 2.25pm Lesson 5 2.25pm – 2.35pm Break 2.35pm – 3.15pm Lesson 6 3.15pm – 4pm Lesson 7 4pm School ends

Curriculum

The curriculum at the Prep School takes into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all students and does not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

The Prep School ensures diversity exists on every level by delivering a curriculum which reflects the history and culture of students of all backgrounds.

Throughout their time in the Prep, pupils gain experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education. Furthermore, the curriculum designed by the school’s Prep ensures that all students acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills.

Through close and frequent communication, the Prep encourages an effective partnership between pupils,