Lower Prep Handbook 2023/34

WELCOME

In Lower Prep, we foster and develop a love of learning. Mistake-making is an important part of this process, and children are given opportunities to contemplate and grapple through a dynamic and challenging curriculum. We provide experiences that cultivate curious learners who are excited by the opportunities Stroud has to offer. We focus on the whole child: academic rigour, and gentle exam preparation, combines with exceptional pastoral support and experiences that will stay with children for the rest of their lives.

Lucy Tippett Head of Lower Prep

Please do contact your child’s form tutor should you need any further information.

Year 3

Mrs Tippett - lat@stroud-kes.org.uk

Mrs Wilcox- jw@stroud-kes.org.uk

Year 4

Miss Edmondson - hle@stroud-kes.org. uk

Miss Andrews - kla@stroud-kes.org.uk

The nurturing environment of Lower Prep supports our children’s emotional development; helping them to become more disposed to being reflective and resilient with an ability to recover from setbacks. Our open-door policy ensures that parents are part of their child’s learning journey and are an important part of the Stroud family. Parent breakfasts, music concerts, sharing assemblies, welcome summer picnics and sports days offer a myriad of chances for parents to enjoy the warmth of our Stroud community.

With our small classes and family feel, we offer outstanding pastoral care in an environment where children feel supported and flourish.

STROUD SCHOOL TEAM

The team are looking forward to welcoming your family to Stroud and getting to know your child.

Each year team has dedicated form tutors and a learning support assistant, however the children will interact with all staff within the department.

We operate an open-door policy and we are here to help.

If you would like to discuss something in detail, please contact us via email to make an appointment.

THE CURRICULUM IN LOWER PREP

We have a lively curriculum designed to inspire young minds. We believe that children learn best when they are finding out for themselves and learning from mistakes. Each term, a curriculum overview will be put into your child’s home-school diary explaining what your child is learning and allowing you to support your child at home.

Lower Prep form tutors will provide consistency, care and excellence in teaching the core subjects: English, Maths, Science and Engineering, Computing and Digital Literacy, and Discovery, a thematic approach that combines the subjects of History, Geography and Religious Studies.

The children are taught by specialist teachers for Performing Arts, Art, Craft and Design, Languages, Games, PE and Outdoor Education. The children move to subject-based classrooms for some of these lessons. Rooms include a Sports Hall, STEAM Centre, Performing Arts classroom, Dance and Drama Studio and Cookery Room.

The day-to-day curriculum is enriched through trips, visitors and whole school events such as Languages Day and STEAM week, where pupils take part in themed activities that provide inspiration and encourage collaboration.

Our facilities offer a wide range of exciting indoor and outdoor learning areas. We also have use of an outdoor swimming pool, library, riding arena, tennis courts, adventure playground and our Forest School.

LEARNING IN LOWER PREP

We know all our children extremely well: what makes them tick, where their strengths lie and where they need support. We carefully plan their educational experience to inspire them to aim high and be all that they can be.

We believe variety is key to making school fascinating. Give children lots of different ways to experience learning, and they will thrive and be hungry to learn more.

Our children become more powerful learners through our 5c’s approach, which concentrates on learning dispositions. The 5c’s are thoughtfully woven into every aspect of life at Stroud. The 5c’s are: Collaborative, Curious, Creative, Considered and Committed.

We have an experienced, energetic and talented team who welcome the children with warmth and a strong family ethos. Our children know that their teachers notice them and feel reassured and safe. Our smaller class sizes mean we have more time to teach, discuss and support each pupil. It also means we are able to adapt to the children’s individual needs.

Prep, also known as homework, will be set in accordance with your child’s age. A separate prep timetable can be found on your child’s Home School Diary. We see homework as a chance for children to practise doing a little bit of work at home and remembering to bring it back to school, as this is something they will be expected to do more and more as they move up the school.

Music and Speech & Drama lessons, also known as Extras, are available from Year 3 upwards. These will take place during the school day on a rota to ensure your child does not always miss the same curriculum lesson each week. Extras can be booked via a form that will be available in the school bulletin.

PASTORAL CARE

For the children, we have distilled all that is important to us at Stroud into our three rules for how we do it here:

We are Aware… We are Ready… We are Kind

FORM TUTORS

Your child’s form tutor is their main point of contact. They are responsible for your child’s welfare in school and should be your first port of call if you have any questions or concerns. As appropriate, this will then be shared with the Head of Lower Prep or the appropriate Exectuive Leadership staff.

WELLBEING

Each day begins with an extended form-time and this will allow us to ensure that pupil wellbeing takes a central role in our weekly timetable. During these morning Wellbeing sessions, we run whole school assemblies, teach our PSHEE and Citizenship curriculums and enjoy other activities to maintain our strong sense of community across the school.

HOUSES

Each child is allotted a House: Bulldogs, Greyhounds or Terriers. They collect House Points for their house and compete in house events throughout the year. Year 6 House Captains are responsible for leading their house in assemblies, running events and helping to build morale.

DAILY ROUTINE

• 07:45 - 08:15

• 08:15

• 08:30 - 08:40

• 08:40 - 09:30

• 11:00 - 11:20

• 12:50 - 13:55

• 13:55

• 16:30

• 16:30 - 17:30

• 17:30 - 18:30

Breakfast in the Dining Room

Early arrivals to playground

Drop-off at Drop-off Zone

Registration and Wellbeing

Break time and snack

Lunch in the Dining Room, followed by break time

Registration

End of school day

After-School Clubs or Prep

Late clubs

Lower Prep is located next to Highwood House. The school day is from 08:40 until 16:30 Monday to Friday.

Wraparound care is available from 07:45 - 17:45 daily.

If you arrive at school later than registration, we ask that you register your child at Reception. If you need to collect your child during the school day, please collect children from Reception.

BREAKFAST CLUB

Breakfast Club (for which there is an extra charge) is held in the Dining Room. It begins at 07:45 and finishes at 08:15. There is no need to sign-up in advance; your child is welcome to join us on the day.

SNACK

Children may bring in a healthy snack for morning break. If your child is staying for Prep or after school clubs, they should bring a second snack. Stroud School is Allergy Aware, pupils are specifically asked not to bring snacks to school that contain nuts or traces of nuts. Please also send your child with a reusable plastic water bottle each day.

LUNCH

The kitchen caters for all dietary needs. We offer a range of foods, which we encourage the children to try. Should your child have specific dietary requirements, please email Matron and inform your child’s form tutor. A weekly menu is posted in the weekly bulletin.

END OF THE DAY

At 16:30, children are dismissed by their form tutors from the front of Highwood House. Uncollected children will be taken to Prep. If you wish for someone other than a parent to collect your child, please inform the School Office.

PREP

This is an opportunity for children to complete their homework at school. This is available everyday from 16:30 to 17:30. Children can sign-up each day in registration. Late collection between 17:30 and 17:45 will be from the Main House Hall.

CLUBS

Information and details on clubs, including booking, is available on the Parent Portal. Clubs normally start at 16:30 and finish at 17:30. Pupils will be dismissed from the Dining Room. Late clubs are dismissed from the ASD Hall. Late collection between 17:30 and 17:45 will be from the Main House Hall.

SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORT

The school operates a fleet of mini buses. The bus routes are altered each year depending on parental need; please contact the School Office for further details and booking. Places are booked on a termly basis.

ASSESSMENT

Your child’s progress will be continually assessed throughout the academic year. This will be through informal, day-to-day observations and more formal summative assessments at the end of units, at the end of each term and at the end of the academic year.

In the Autumn Term, pupils will participate in online assessments. They will also sit some summative online assessments in English, Maths and Science, in the Summer Term. These will help form a judgement about your child’s progress from the previous year.

Reports are sent home at the end of the Autumn and Spring Term, along with personalised targets for each child. At the end of the academic year, a full report is sent home with attitude to learning grades, and targets.

There are regular evenings set aside for parents to discuss pupils’ progress with members of staff.

Individual learning needs are supported by the Learning Support Department, where staff liaise closely with class teachers and parents to ensure that all children are given the opportunity to succeed.

WAYS TO HELP AT HOME

Continuing your child’s reading journey in Lower Prep is vital. Spending time listening to your child read is hugely beneficial to their learning, as is sharing a book at bedtime or reading more complex texts to them. Reading offers a chance to start discussions and enjoy a shared experience; reading a page of a book or enjoying an audiobook together on a long journey will help to make sure reading is fun and accessible.

Maths is all around us and Lower Prep children can really start to appreciate this. Letting your child add up the cost of your shopping basket and predict the change they should receive helps them to use their growing skills in the real world.

Telling the time is a challenging but important skill: try to make your child aware of analogue and digital clocks around the home. Discuss what time it is, what time they carry out daily routines and how long these things take. Baking is a fun way to learn weight and measuring skills, and timing the cooking brings in those time skills as well.

Children in Lower Prep receive an age-appropriate amount of homework, so helping your child to complete this and embed their school learning is really helpful.

MEDICAL

If your child is unwell, please fill in the absence request form on the Parent Portal.

Any pupil who becomes unwell or injured during the school day is referred to Matron. If necessary, you will be contacted to discuss the best course of action.

Medicines, including cough linctus, anti-histamine, paracetamol and ibuprofen preparations, will only be administered to children when there is permission to do so.

If your child requires medication whilst at school, their medicine should be given to Matron in the medical room. A short-term medical needs administration of medication form must be completed. Please see Matron for these forms, or they can also be collected from the School Office.

If your child is prescribed antibiotics, please ensure they have had 24 hours of the course before returning to school.

If your child has sickness or diarrhoea, they must be 48 hours clear of the last symptoms before returning to school. If they show signs of a temperature, please keep them at home until they have been 24 hours fever free. This is to stop the spread of infection.

Stroud School is Allergy Aware and caters for pupils with a wide range of medical needs, including but not limited to, gluten intolerance (Coeliac), nut and peanut, egg, and dairy allergies. We also cater for a wide range of cultural dietary requirements. Foodstuffs containing nuts should not be brought on site to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Parents are requested to clearly label all food brought on site that may be shared or sold for charity events. Food brought in for celebrations birthdays should be clearly labelled and handed over to the form teacher.

Water Bottles Birthdays Sun Protection

Your child is allowed to drink water whenever they require throughout the day and we ask that your child brings a reusable plastic water bottle to school everyday. Water bottles are available from Stevensons. These should only contain water and be clearly named.

Birthdays are important days for the children and we enjoy sharing these special days with them.

Children are welcome to bring in cakes or sweets for their birthday, but these must be nut-free, in accordance with our allergy awareness policy. These must be passed to the class teacher who will hand them out at the end of the day, to be eaten at home. No sweets to be taken on day trips or residential visits.

On sunny days, ‘once a day’ sunscreen should be applied at home prior to coming to school. However we would also ask that you send in a named bottle of sunscreen so that your child may re-apply it later on in the day especially after swimming. Children should bring in their school hats.

COMMUNICATION

Stroud is a vibrant school, with lots happening every week. We share our exciting news stories in the following media:

The Stroud Bulletin

A round-up of all information and news is emailed to parents every friday evening. This also contains essential information about the following week and upcoming events.

Twitter (@Stroud_school)

News stories as they happen.

Facebook (@Stroudschool)

News stories for you to share with your friends and family.

Instagram (@stroudschool)

News stories as they happen.

School Website stories page

PARENT PORTAL

The Stroud Parent Portal provides direct information to families about their child and the school.

Inside this secure area, parents can access information about the school, such as the calendar, child-specific information, including timetables and school reports.

Parents’ Evenings, Clubs and Tea Club are booked through this system.

Please report your child absent from school or request a leave of absence on the home page.

The Portal can be found here. When joining the school, you will be sent the link to register and details to log in for the first time. Please note, this will be sent within the first week of the summer holidays.

SSA

Every parent automatically becomes a member of the Stroud School Association (SSA). Our aim is to organise social events for the children, families and staff to help build the strong community and friendships that make Stroud such a special place. All the funds we raise from events such as the Christmas Fayre, Prosecco Party and Easter Egg Hunt are used to fund projects for the benefit of the children.

If you are interested in helping the SSA, please join the SSA Volunteers group on Classlist, or email us on thessacommittee@gmail. com if you would like more information about joining the committee.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTION REPORT

In December 2019, Stroud achieved ‘Excellent’ – the highest possible grading – in its latest Focused Compliance and Educational Quality Inspection report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).

The top grading was achieved in both academic achievement and personal development, and was recognised as such from Nursery to Year 8. The ISI is the Ofsted equivalent for independent schools, approved by the Department for Education. This was the first inspection of this type that the school has had since 2011 and follows a Regulated Compliance Inspection in 2017 which the school passed with no recommendations.

A copy of the full inspection report can be found on our website.

POLICIES

All of our school policies can be found on the Stroud School website.

STROUD MAP

UNIFORM

Uniform A

• Stroud navy coat

• Stroud green rucksack

• Black leather shoes

• Wellington boots and socks

• Stroud plastic water bottle

Winter

• Stroud tartan kilt

• Stroud green crew neck jumper

• Collared, long or short sleeved white shirt

• Navy tights or navy knee socks

• Stroud green knitted hat

• Gloves

Summer

• Stroud tartan dress

• Stroud green cardigan

• White ankle socks

• Stroud green sunhat

Uniform B

• Stroud navy coat

• Stroud green rucksack

• Stroud green and white striped short sleeve shirt

• Stroud green crew neck jumper

• Grey ankle socks

• Black leather shoes

• Wellington boots and socks

• Stroud plastic water bottle

Winter

• Mid-grey school trousers

• Stroud green knitted hat

• Gloves

Summer

• Mid-grey school shorts (not cargo style)

• Stroud green sunhat

Please note:

• Uniform is either A or B, and not a combination of both on the same day

• The change to summer uniform is after the Easter Holidays. If the weather is warm up to the Autumn Half-Term, summer uniform may be worn at the beginning of the Autumn Term. Winter uniform should be worn exclusively after Autumn Half-Term

• Children with long hair should have it tied back with black, navy or green hair accessories. Please avoid decorative hair accessories

LOST PROPERTY

Please ensure all uniform is clearly labelled with your child’s name. Lost property will be collected and stored in cupboards on the mezzanine floor in the ASD.Please look here for any items misplaced. Please view the lost property list here.

UNIFORM SUPPLIER: STEVENSONS

All items * are to be purchased from Stevensons. You can order from Stevensons in the following ways:

1. Order online at www.stevensons.co.uk

To register, enter ‘Stroud School’, select and follow instructions.

2. Shop in store.

For expert fitting advice and a range of other school essentials’ visit our Bournemouth branch; open 9.00am-5.30pm

Monday-Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturdays.

148-150 Seabourne Road, Bournemouth, BH5 2JA

T: 01202 425192

E: bournemouthbranch@stevensons.co.uk

Call Customer Services Department on 01727 853262 and choose option 1. Available 9.00am-5.30pm Monday-Friday and 9.00am-5pm on Saturdays. Items will be posted to your home address.

Please direct any queries regarding uniform to: nearlynewuniform@stroud-kes.org.uk

Nearly new uniform items can be viewed or purchased at at the uniform shop found here.

3. Telephone orders

SPORT IN LOWER PREP

We deliver an enriched and inclusive sports programme, providing pupils with the opportunity to participate in both inter and intra-school sport. Enjoyment and inclusion at all levels of competition are central to our ethos. We are extremely proud of the range of opportunities and our performance pathways, empowering pupils to learn, develop and thrive beyond their expectations. All pupils are encouraged to do their best, whatever their level of sporting ability, and we celebrate each individual journey.

Pupils are taught by specialist sports staff, and are supported by wider school staff for fixtures, tournaments and festivals. Our departmental aim is to enhance the pupils’ exposure to a range of sports and activities, enabling them to develop a lifelong love of sport and well-being.

Mr J Parker Director of Sports

Sport at Stroud aims to:

• Provide opportunities for all, regardless of ability

• Develop enjoyment, creativity, teamwork, discipline, respect, independence and sportsmanship

• Encourage team spirit and identity

• Promote the importance of physical fitness and exercise

• Develop physical, psychological, tactical and technical skills

• Develop skilful, committed, competitive and intelligent performers

• Introduce a wide variety of sports to build confidence and a platform for the future

• Promote links with local sports clubs to support pupils’ development

FACILITIES

Wellington Sports Ground

Wellington sports ground is shared with King Edwards VI School, Southampton, and consists of 33 acres of playing fields, six tennis courts, four netball courts and a full-size water based astro, allowing the school to host large tournaments and play a range of schools on a regular basis. A large pavilion with eighteen changing rooms, a kitchen and catering facilities for over one hundred students is also located on-site.

Main Field

Our main field, set at the entrance of our rural green environment with the backdrop of the main house, hosts five football pitches, seven rugby pitches, two all-weather cricket fields, outdoor cricket nets. There is also an all-weather synthetic track and long jump pit, and grass running track for athletics.

Sports Hall

The school has a full-size sports hall equipped with a large viewing gallery, changing rooms indoor cricket nets, a netball court, a basketball court and four badminton courts. Outside the building, we have two netball courts and two tennis courts.

Swimming Pool

Stroud School has a heated outdoor swimming pool which is used in the Summer Term for all year groups. Aside from weekly swimming lessons, children also have the opportunity to sign up for clubs after school.

IAPS

Stroud School is a member of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), and we proudly host the IAPS U11 Regional Rugby Festival and U11 Regional Netball Tournament at Wellington Sports Ground.

LOWER PREP GIRLS SPORT

Sports Kit

Term Required

Stroud PE section polo (red, yellow, blue) All

Stroud match shirt Autumn and Spring

Stroud mid-layer All

Stroud tracksuit top (waterproof) All

Black cotton/lycra shorts All

Stroud skort Autumn and Spring

Stroud tracksuit trousers All

Stroud cricket polo Summer

Stroud cricket trousers Summer

Stroud cricket slipover (optional) Summer

Black or navy swimwear Summer

Stroud green sports socks Autumn and Spring

White sports socks All

Indoor and outdoor trainers All

Rugby/football boots Autumn and Spring

Accessories and Equipment

Stroud holdall/kit bag All

Stroud water bottle All

Shin pads Autumn and Spring

Mouthguard Autumn and Spring

Hockey stick (optional) Autumn and Spring

Cricket pads, helmet and bat (optional) Summer

Athletic spikes (optional) Summer

Towel Summer

Flip flops/sandals Summer

Goggles (optional) Summer

Skins/base layer (optional) Autumn and Spring

Leggings (optional) Autumn and Spring

LOWER PREP BOYS SPORT

Sports

Towel

Flip flops/sandals

Goggles (optional)

Skins/base layer (optional)

and Spring

Leggings (optional) Autumn and Spring

LOWER PREP SPORTS KIT

Naming Sports Kit

• Please label kit with only your child’s initial and surname

• All items of clothing need to be clearly named with woven name tape, indelible marker or printed labels

• Shoes, trainers and boots named with indelible ink or printed label

Sports Kit - Look Smart, Feel Smart

We believe looking smart sends a strong statement about togetherness and shared endeavour in the pursuit of excellence at all levels of competition. Sports kit should be worn with pride, encouraging children to feel pride in themselves as well as the school. Please ensure you child is always equipped with the correct kit for lessons and fixtures each week.

FIXTURES

Lower Pre Fixtures (U8, U9)

Lower Prep enjoy a balanced fixtures schedule, including tournaments and festivals against other schools. Lessons include mixed ability training, as well as higher, intermediate and foundation level group training. They will play more frequently and more competitively as they progress through the school. Games are usually played in ability groups (A,B,C etc). Our intention for all teams is to play, where possible, against an opposition of a similar strength for a positive and safe experience.

Please regularly check the sports website for updates and changes to fixtures, which can be found here.