THE BEGINNING OF A WONDERFUL JOURNEY
A GUIDE TO THE PRE-PREP SCHOOL
INDEPENDENT CO-ED DAY SCHOOL FOR AGES 2-11
“Like its older sibling school King’s Worcester, ‘Little King’s’ has a big heart.” Talk Education
Welcome to Pre-Prep
We cherish the early years as the first step of a child’s educational journey.
King’s St Alban’s is often described as ‘one big happy family’, and this familial atmosphere begins in our Pre-Prep department. Young children benefit from a nurturing and secure environment, building their confidence and independence as they begin their school journey. Here, you will find a supportive community that feels like a second home.
We recognise that children are naturally inquisitive and even from our Nursery and Reception classes, we introduce them to a
wealth of indoor and outdoor experiences. Through structured activities and child-initiated free play, children learn to concentrate, solve problems, and develop their own ideas.
From shared stories and cooking adventures
to exploring our Forest School, participating in engaging musical sessions, and early introduction to languages, there is a diverse array of activities tailored to each child’s interests. Our curriculum is aligned to meet the requirements of assessment in Early Years Foundation Stage
(EYFS), of which more details are available on our website. As children progress into Years 1 and 2, class-based teaching is carefully balanced with subject specialist teaching. This approach ensures a balance of academic rigour with a breadth of wider opportunities, preparing children well as they move onto the Prep School.
I very much look forward to meeting you and your children at King’s St Alban’s.
Nick Hawker, Headmaster
An overview of our School
Pre-Prep Nursery
Our Nursery offers a warm and nurturing environment for children aged 2 to 4, where young minds are encouraged to explore and play, and where children develop their unique personalities..
Pre-Prep (Reception to Year 2)
Throughout the Pre-Prep small class sizes focus on building curiosity, social skills and confidence with dedicated form teachers and teaching assistants in each class. Children also receive specialist teaching in music, PE, swimming, languages and art, and benefit from an extensive extra curricular programme.
Prep School (Years 3 to 6)
In the Prep School, academic excellence and breadth of opportunity are coupled with a focus on character development, where children learn to take responsibility, build relationships, and grow as confident individuals. Here we also prepare pupils for their life in the Senior School to ensure they are ‘King’s Ready’, prepared for the expectations and opportunities of senior school life, and equipped with the tools and confidence to continue to thrive as they move over the road to King’s Worcester.
OurVisionSchool
To foster a love of learning
To provide a nurturing environment and wonderful pastoral care
To support personal and social development
To provide characterenriching activities beyond the classroom
We unlock potential and foster excellence at King’s St. Alban’s, and our educational principles shape our unwavering commitment to nurturing each pupil’s growth and development. We hold dear the values of igniting a passion for learning, fostering a supportive environment, and championing personal and social development. These guiding tenets, deeply rooted in our Christian ethos, inspire us to offer character-enriching activities extending beyond the classroom.
A King’s St Alban’s pupil is confident, curious, and compassionate, embodying the core values of the King’s St Alban’s learning characteristics.
They are eager learners with a genuine love of discovery, engaging actively with both academic and co-curricular pursuits. Creative and wellrounded, they excel not only in the classroom but also in the arts, sports, and STEM, demonstrating a passion for self-expression and collaboration.
The King’s St Alban’s Journey
Guided by a strong moral compass, they approach challenges with determination and independence, fostering a sense of responsibility for themselves and empathy for others.
A King’s St Alban’s pupil is prepared to thrive in a dynamic world, equipped with the skills, character, and confidence to make a positive impact wherever their journey takes them.
King’s St Alban’s Pre-Prep
Characteristics
Underpinned by our Foundation Values of Ambition, Resilience, Humility, Creativity, and Kindness, in Pre-Prep we follow four learning characteristics which sit at the heart of daily life and form the basis of our academic and pastoral development.
COURAGE
We understand that not everything at school is easy, but we always try and do our best.
CREATIVITY
We love exploring our own and others’ ideas in our learning.
KINDNESS
We enjoy helping our friends and understand that it is important to show kindness to all.
THINKING
We think before sharing our thoughts and love using our brains to solve problems.
Welcome to
Nursery
King’s St Alban’s Nursery is recognised as one of the top day nurseries, providing exceptional city-centre pre-school learning for children aged two to four.
We are proud of our nurturing environment where young children thrive in their early years of learning and development. Situated within King’s St Alban’s Pre-Prep our nursery children benefit from the facilities and resources of the wider school. This allows for a broad and diverse nursery programme of events undertaken by our specialist teachers.
Each child is paired with a dedicated ‘key person’ who provides consistent developmental support and fosters a sense of familiarity to ensure every child’s unique needs are met. This key person carefully tracks each child’s progress, compiling a personalised ‘Learning Journey’ filled with observations and milestones.
Parents can access these records at any time, offering valuable insights into their child’s growth and achievements. Open and regular communication ensures parents stay well-informed about their child’s progress, creating a strong partnership between home and school.
The Journey through King’s St NurseryAlban’s
Our Nursery is split into two classes of children:
CYGNETS AGES 2 AND 3
SWANS AGES 3 AND 4
Welcome to our Cygnet Class
For many children, the Cygnet class marks the exciting start of their King’s Foundation educational journey. Children can join Cygnets as soon as they turn two, embarking on a new chapter filled with discovery and growth.
Starting nursery is a significant milestone, and we strive to make it a joyful and positive experience. We believe that happy, confident children thrive, and to support this, we prioritise strong connections between home and school.
To ensure a seamless transition, we offer induction visits where children can meet the caring Cygnets staff and become familiar with their new
environment. During these visits, parents have the opportunity to discuss every aspect of nursery life in a relaxed, informal setting, and a detailed development profile is created to understand each child’s unique needs.
From day one, our goal is to help every child feel secure, valued, and excited about their time with us. Each morning, children are warmly welcomed and encouraged to explore a variety of engaging activities.
To provide personalised support, every child is assigned a dedicated Key Person who works closely with them to nurture their development and ensure their individual needs are met.
At Cygnets, we lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning while fostering a safe, supportive, and joyful start to their educational journey.
3 – 4
Welcome to our Swan Class
In the Swans class, we place a strong emphasis on school readiness, ensuring children are well-prepared for their exciting transition to Reception. Swans is designed for pupils in the year before they start school, building on the solid foundations established in the Cygnet class.
To support this important stage of development, children are encouraged to attend at least three mornings a week. By the end of the summer term, many children in this group transition to attending several full days per week, fostering a greater sense of routine and independence.
As with Cygnets, each child in Swans is assigned a dedicated Key Person who provides personalised guidance and support, ensuring their individual needs are met and their development is nurtured.
In the Swans class children develop confidence, curiosity, and essential skills that prepare them for the exciting journey ahead in Reception and beyond.
“ With a rare level of stand-out facilities on tap and the cachet of a city centre postcode, this nurturing prep is a strong all-rounder.”
Muddy Stilettos
Welcome to Receptionour
Starting school is a momentous milestone, and there’s no better place to begin your educational journey than in the Reception class at King’s St Alban’s.
Here, we nurture a love of learning from day one, fostering confidence, curiosity, and creativity in every child. Our nurturing staff create a warm and supportive environment where children feel safe, valued, and excited to explore the world around them.
Our pupils benefit from small class sizes, with Reception comprising of both a Form Teacher and dedicated Teaching Assistant, ensuring a nurtured and focused approach to support and build on each child’s individual strengths. Our Reception children enjoy a spacious classroom and a stunning multi-purpose hall that provides space for sport, drama, music, assemblies, and lunch.
Our Reception curriculum is play-based, designed to provide children with rich, active, hands-on learning experiences that inspire a lifelong love of learning. This approach lays a strong foundation for more formal education as they progress through the school.
Our extended curriculum is delivered by subject specialist staff which includes weekly swimming lessons, Forest School, French lessons, music lessons and PE lessons, providing incredible additional experiences to learning during the Reception year. The children regularly use the fantastic facilities on the Prep School site, just a short stroll away.
Our wonderful location provides endless opportunities to bring learning to life for our Reception children. With guided discovery trips, they will often explore the Senior School, Worcester Cathedral, the Riverside, and the vibrant city of Worcester. Visits to the local library and museums spark
curiosity and enhance their understanding of the world, making each topic an exciting adventure filled with hands-on learning and memorable experiences.
We are deeply committed to creating a warm, nurturing, and engaging environment where every child feels supported and valued. Our goal is for children to leave Reception as confident, independent learners, full of curiosity and enthusiasm for the world around them. By fostering these qualities early on, we set them on a path to success and a joyful educational journey.
Welcome to Years 1 & 2
As pupils progress into Years 1 and 2, we build upon the strong foundation laid in the Early Years Foundation Stage with a fun, hands-on curriculum designed to captivate imaginations.
Subjects are interwoven into creative topics that change regularly, with lessons in core subjects reflecting the current topic. This approach keeps our curriculum consistently exciting. French, music, and games are taught by specialist teachers who tailor lessons to this age group, ensuring a fun and interactive learning experience.
MOVING UP
Moving up to the Prep School for Year 3 is a seamless and welcoming process for both children and parents. Throughout their Pre-Prep journey pupils become familiar with teaching staff, fellow pupils, and the Prep School’s facilities. Special transition activities, including move-up afternoons, our Passport to Prep programme, visits from Year 3 teachers, and lunches with Year 5 buddies, ensure children embrace the move.
In the Prep School (ages 7-11), we continue to offer a diverse curriculum that integrates our Characteristics and emphasises essential learning skills.
“ There was certainly no shortage of big-heartedness and a can-do attitude among pupils we met.”
Our Extended Co-curricular Day
At King’s St Alban’s, we recognise that many parents lead busy lives and so provide wraparound care services that accommodate your family’s schedule. These are inclusive of fees from 7.45am to 6.00pm.
After the school day concludes, children have supervised playtime on the playground from 3.40pm to 4.00pm, but they can be picked up at any time from 3.30pm onwards. Children staying in school after 4.00pm, not participating in an after-school club, can benefit from our Late Room at no additional charge.
Clubs include...
The clubs and activities programme in Pre-Prep is a key part of school life and children enjoy the variety and additional offering.
Children can experience a wealth of opportunities, allowing them to explore and discover new hobbies or take their current interests to a higher level. We offer a balanced programme of clubs appealing to those who have a flair for creativity, through to those with a love for the outdoors and adventure.
The majority of clubs are free of charge and are run by our staff, with external experts joining us where additional skills are needed (such as karate, ballet, Supastrikers). These may incur a small, termly charge.
Our after-school clubs, typically run from 4.00pm to 4.30pm, 5.00pm or 5.30pm. After these activities, children can be cared for in our Late Room until 6.00pm where they can enjoy supervised activities, including homework, reading, relaxation, and games.
Embarking on your educational journey at King’s St Alban’s is an opportunity to uncover the extraordinary. Whether you are considering nursery, Reception or Prep Year 3-6 entry points we invite you to step into our world and explore the rich learning, pastoral, and co-curricular qualities which make our school so special.
King’s St Alban’s
Mill Street • Worcester • WR1 2NJ
01905 363592 • ksaregistrar@ksw.org.uk
ksw.org.uk