Welcome to
Reception
Nosce Te Ipsum
at Deepdene Prep Deepdene Prep is a small independent school for boys and girls from Nursery to age 11 in the heart of Hove, and a 5-minute walk from the beach. Deepdene Prep strives to provide an excellent academic education, together with a focus on experiential learning and a holistic ethos, allowing every single child to feel nurtured, challenged, supported and, importantly, that their voice matters. Children in the Reception class start their school education with us in a large, bright and airy classroom, with enthusiastic and specialist teaching that is able to differentiate for every single child.
Watch our students give a tour of the school
Teach on the Beach
Discover the Curriculum
Small class sizes and a bespoke education offer children an inspiring and creative environment where they fall in love with learning. We are one of the most affordable Prep schools in the area, with a flat-fee structure throughout the school, and we also accept the Early Years Funding for three terms after your child’s fourth birthday, which will be deducted from the school fees.
Read the full prospectus
DEVELOP
INSPIRATION
Experiential Learning at Deepdene Practical and hands-on-experiences are at the heart of the creative process of learning at Deepdene Prep. •
STEM Lab - packed with equipment, light and space
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Teach on the Beach initiative
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Roedean Partnership - offering Sports and Science facilities, as well as one-day workshops in academic subjects, and use of Roedean’s recently refurbished theatre
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Local resources - Hove Lagoon, King Alfred Leisure Centre, Wish Park, the Secret Garden
TEACH ON THE BEACH
‘Teach on the Beach is an initiative we started in 2020, where we take each class at least once per term for a lesson on the beach - whether that is for Geography, Science or Art. This initiative also supports our work as an Eco School, where we are currently working towards our Silver Award.’ Ms Hayward, Head of School
CHOIR
ECO CLUB
SUPPORT
HOLISTIC SPORTS CLUB
PERFORMING ARTS SMALL CLASSES
STREET DANCE SCIENCE CLUB
CRAFT CLUB
Our Sports Programme throughout the school includes Hockey, Cricket, Football, Rugby, Tennis, Swimming, Gymnastics and Dance, ensuring there is something for all children to enjoy, with pupils in Years 4,5 and 6 enjoying Roedean’s extensive sports facilities to support their development.
STEM COMPUTER CLUB
At Deepdene, learning extends well beyond the classroom. We know that a happy child who finds interests and talents in one area will build confidence to be successful in another. That’s why we offer a range of Arts, Sports and Academic activities alongside our expansive curriculum, and as part of our Wrap-Around Care.
FUN
COOKING
CO-CURRICULAR
A meaningful range of activities, clubs and trips offer a breadth of knowledge and experience, and the opportunity for discovering passions.
EXPERIENTIAL
ART CLUB
A Holistic Education
STAY AND PLAY
CURIOSITY LOVE OF LEARNING
A Broad and Exciting Curriculum Our curriculum is based on the school’s aims, with the emphasis on learning, wherever possible, from first-hand experience. In Reception specialist teaching is offered in Drama, Music, Tennis, Sport and French.
Weekly ballet lessons are also included as part of the curriculum.
Children in the Lower School can look forward to picking up Spanish in Year 3, followed by Latin in the Upper School.
From Year 3, students at Deepdene are able to attend exclusive Experience Days at Roedean, covering Geography, Classics, Maths, Art, History and English, all taught by Roedean academci staff.
What might your child learn in their first half term at Deepdene Prep? ‘Owl Babies’ Scheme of Work A creative scheme of work designed to inspire a love of learning, ‘Owl Babies’ is the perfect introduction to a slightly more structured approach to learning, following the transition from Upper Nursery. Children have been practising phonics in circle time, and engaging closely with the book ‘Owl Babies,’ exploring the theme of separation through this touching story of an owl family. The children have reflected on their own families and have learned about the similarities and differences of others. They have been learning about woodland habitats, and natural objects they have collected have supported their learning within maths, for example, in sorting, matching and creating repeated patterns. This unit is thought-provoking, effective for learning new vocabulary, and encourages the children to describe using the senses, whilst listening to each other carefully. The result has been the creation of a beautiful poem written by the children, which you can see below. At the close of the half term the children were visited by Huxley’s Owls, who brought a handsome collection of birds for the children to meet!
Miss Mair Reception Teacher
OPEN MORNING 15th November Offering the opportunity for a tour with some current students, and a chance to speak at length with the Principal, Mrs Gane, and the Head of School, Ms Tracey Hayward, as well as a chance to visit the Reception room and speak to Miss Mair, the Open Morning is the ideal time to discover more about what Deepdene Prep can offer.
Applications Reception Entry Following on from your tour of the school, you will be invited to register by the deadline of 22nd November. We have significant financial awards available to widen access for local families. If you wish to discuss this further, please contact Alexa Barlow, Registrar, for an initial chat on 01273 667675 or abw@roedean.co.uk. We aim to issue offers for school places at the end of November. A staggered deposit payment plan will be available for those that need it.