ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OF STUDENTS

This year the academic side of the Prep saw the launch of the PSB (Pre-Senior Baccalaureate) which has been positively embraced by staff and pupils alike. The core skills of independence, collaboration, communication, thinking & learning, reviewing & improving and leadership has now become part of the daily vernacular. Notably, the pupils are now developing these vital skills through explicit discussion, teaching and active learning.

One highlight of this year’s academic calendar saw our first Pre-Senior Project Qualification (PSPQ) event, in which the Year 8 cohort presented their self-directed inquiry projects, inspired by the pupils’ interests, values and quest for acquiring new knowledge. The breadth of chosen topics was extraordinary, reflecting the diverse interests and passions of our pupils; from investigating mythological creatures of the British Isles, to exploring how architecture has adapted to music over time. Through their projects, they have demonstrated their ability to conduct in-depth independent research, think critically, and present their findings confidently. The PSPQ event not only provided a platform for our pupils to present their final pieces, but also served as a space for them to reflect on their individual learning journey throughout the project. They shared the challenges they encountered, the skills they acquired, and the growth they experienced as learners.

IF YOU HEAR A VOICE WITHIN YOU SAY ‘YOU CANNOT PAINT’ , THEN BY ALL MEANS PAINT AND THAT VOICE WILL BE SILENCED

Vincent Van Gogh

It has been a wonderful year in the Art Department, culminating with the Summer Art Exhibition where every pupil at the Prep had the opportunity to share their artistic ability with both their peers and joined by their parents.

We believe that creativity should permeate all areas of the school, allowing our pupils to freely develop their ideas, to both discover their own talents within our community and to celebrate their individuality. I have been particularly excited about the development of PSB in the Art Department, a new venture that highlights creativity throughout the curriculum.

These pages are just a few examples of the power of our children’s thoughts, skills and imagination.

Artist of the week

Our programme ‘Artist of the Week’ has continued to be a feature during our weekly Assemblies, a public celebration of individual responses to independent projects. It is wonderful to see our pupils’ art every week, bringing colour and joy to the start of the day.

Young Artists Summer Show Royal Academy 2023

This year Sherborne Prep has submitted 20 pieces of art for the Show. The project is an opportunity for young artists aged 4-19 to exhibit their work online and on-site at The Royal Academy in London. We are incredibly proud to present the creative talent of 12 of our pupils, a fine example of just some of the work created throughout the school. The powerful images submitted talk about character and vision.

Art Scholarships

This year we are particularly pleased about Constance C’s success in achieving an Art Scholarship at Sherborne Girls, an accolade that speaks volumes about Constance’s remarkable talent and determination to achieve her goals. Art Scholarships are a particularly competitive field with a huge number of candidates, highlighting even more Constance’s achievement.

Dragon TV

Dragon TV has been a great success this year. We have encouraged pupils to create video content for our sessions on Saturday using core skills such as communication, collaboration and critical thinking. There were interviews, art, documentaries and images behind the scenes; always a hit with the audience. We feel that media studies are a wonderful way of producing exciting visual content for our community whilst having fun. Well done to all reporters, sound engineers and camera operators!

2022-2023

Art Activities

• Annual Sherborne Preparatory School Art Exhibition 2023

• Printing & Design Enrichment Club

• Ceramic Workshops at Sherborne School

• SATIPS National Prep Schools’ Art Exhibition 2023

• Year 8 visit to the Musée d’Orsay in Paris

• Clay Modelling Enrichment Club

• Young Artists’ Saturday Activity

• Young Artists’ Summer Exhibition at The Royal Academy

• Coronation Day art activities

• Year 8 visit to the Art Exhibition at the Merritt Centre Art Gallery, Sherborne Girls

• Fernando Velázquez Art Workshop

‘Art 360’ at the Super Sunday Open Day, Sherborne School

As the academic year comes to a close, let’s take a moment to reflect on the captivating scientific journey our pupils have embarked upon. Science lessons at our school have been nothing short of inspiring and eye-opening, equipping our children with knowledge and fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges facing our planet.

From Year 3’s delightful encounter with a STEM outreach group from the local girls’ school, where they constructed their very own periscopes, to Year 4’s exciting bug hunt adventure, our pupils have been actively engaged in hands-on experiences that stimulate their curiosity and promote critical thinking.

Year 7 delved into the fascinating world of cells and respiration, unravelling the mysteries of life’s building blocks. Meanwhile, Year 8 pupils explored the intricate web of life with their study of ecology, uncovering the essential role of chemicals in cosmetics and their impact on the environment.

We are proud to announce that our new school pond has become a hub of scientific discovery, providing a window into ecosystems, food webs and habitats. This invaluable resource has allowed pupils to witness first-hand the delicate balance of nature and the interdependence of species.

Additionally, our recent EcoDay around a central theme of Polar Exploration, served as a powerful reminder of the urgency to address climate change. The pupils were privileged to receive a lecture from a real Arctic explorer, deepening their understanding of the science behind this pressing issue.

These science-focused activities serve a crucial purpose; by engaging in scientific exploration, our pupils develop a heightened awareness of our planet’s challenges. Our children become equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions, adopt sustainable practices and become responsible custodians of Earth –our home.

Through science education we empower our pupils to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and agents of positive change. By nurturing their scientific curiosity, we are fostering a generation that will strive to protect and preserve our planet for years to come.

Together, let us celebrate these remarkable scientific achievements and look forward to more exciting discoveries in the years ahead.

The Michaelmas Term showcased the talents of Year 5 as they performed The Firework Maker’s Daughter by Phillip Pullman and were also treated to a wonderful Alien Nativity by Pre-Prep.

Since January we have had four year group productions. We started off with Year 7 presenting Wendies and Peters, a multi-cast production of the classic story, complete with two crocodiles! This was followed after the Lent half term with Year 6 presenting two short versions of Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Twelfth Night; the pupils grappled with the comedy and the language and definitely came out on top! Then straight afterwards Year 3 entertained us with their Roman Adventure and took us back almost two thousand years to where we met a scary centurion, a slave trader and a friendly senator; or was it just a dream? The first week of Trinity term saw Year 4 present scenes from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; again, with multiple roles we entered the world of Narnia along with two rather frightening wicked witches .. .oops, I mean Queens! Year 8 went to see the London production of Guys and Dolls in May and returned fired up for their own production of the play to round off the term.

Year 8 also squeezed in a phenomenal Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward – what a way to end the first half of the Trinity term!

They experimented with a variety of wood joints and then, using this knowledge, they selected the ones that they wished to include within their own storage design.

Creativity and innovation

Across the year groups pupils have looked at a range of projects, starting with Pre-Prep children designing and making rockets, a royal carriage, picture frames and wooden puppets, as well as making board games.

During the Pre-Prep Design Technology Enrichment club, Christmas wreaths were made followed by Royal carriages.

Year 3 have looked at wood as a material and made a box by following drawings of the component parts. Through this they have developed their knowledge of tools and equipment as well as developing accuracy within their work. Their puppet project demonstrated their individual thoughts on how they should apply a design.

Year 6 generated a mould for pewter casting. Within this project, the children learnt about the different categories of metals and some of their potential uses. They completed their electric buggy project and produced prototypes for their litter picker project.

Year 7 developed their design skills in the production of a vacuum-forming mould to produce a clock. Through this they learnt about plastics and experienced working with thermoplastics. They experimented with a variety of wood joints and then, using this knowledge, they selected the ones that they wished to include within their own storage design.

Year 8 sought to produce a creative design for a passive amplifier to magnify the sound of a mobile phone. This led to some very creative and functional solutions to the brief. They finished the term working on the individual aspects of their PSPQ projects which were a huge success!

It has been an exciting year in the English Department. We have fully embraced the flexibility and creativity offered by PSB and we have enjoyed teaching new texts to instill a love of literature alongside encouraging debate, discussion and higher-level thinking skills.

We have launched several new events including ‘Book at Breakfast’ where children and parents in Reception to Year 5 enjoyed shared story time in our wonderful Library.

Years 6 and 7 have taken part in Creative Writing evenings showing their ability to craft imaginative pieces; they proudly read their work aloud to their families.

A key event was World Book Day in March. The pupils dressed up for the occasion and - in true Sherborne Prep style - we declared a literary-themed week instead of just one day! We had a number of guest speakers to inspire the children, including illustrators and drama specialists.

This will become an annual event to encourage a love of poetry and a celebration of creativity. The Year 8 production of Blithe Spirit was a fitting end to the year.

We ended the Trinity Term on a high with the launch of a new competition to crown our very own Sherborne Prep Poet Laureates.

Geography aims to connect children to both the natural world and to modern global issues.

A Year 8 field trip to Lulworth Cove allowed pupils to witness the wonders of coastal geography first-hand and gave them a chance to practice fieldwork techniques. They explored the unique features of the area, studying coastal erosion processes and landforms. This hands-on experience deepened their understanding of geological processes of factors such as birth rates and immigration.

Year 6’s learning journey involved constructing earthquake-proof buildings, armed with marshmallows and sticks; pupils designed and built structures that could withstand simulated seismic activity. This practical exercise helped them grasp the importance of constructing resilient infrastructures in earthquake-prone regions, building on their work in Year 3 where they and the impact of human activity on coastal environments. The sunshine and an opportunity to demolish some ice cream rounded off a successful trip!

To explore population dynamics in Year 7, the ‘Jelly Baby Game’ has become somewhat notorious throughout school, with the smell of sweets wafting out of the classroom. By assigning different colours of jelly babies to represent various population groups, pupils engaged in games that simulated real-world demographic scenarios; they analysed population distribution, migration patterns and the effects experimented with creating handmade volcanoes. Sometimes the volcanoes had such powerful eruptions they managed to hit the ceiling!

Through field trips, interactive games, practical projects, and thematic days such as Pole-to-Pole Day which focused on polar exploration, pupils develop a deep understanding of geographical concepts and their relevance to contemporary global issues. Pupils are becoming empowered to be responsible global citizens with a passion for protecting the planet.

A blast from the Historical past!

Another wonderful year in History has flown past, with so many enriching and exciting learning opportunities for our children. Highlights have been many and pupils have continued to enjoy the investigative nature of a subject that specialises in analysis and evaluation.

Year 3 have been enthusiastic about their topics, which included Dinosaurs, Fossils and Early Man. They shared their own fossils with their classmates and learned about how people lived in ancient times. They also studied the Celts, the Romans and the Vikings, and compared their lifestyles and achievements. They used various interactive and creative methods to learn about these civilisations.

Year 4 focused on Medieval England, a fascinating and dramatic period in history. They investigated the events of 1066 and the Norman Conquest and made their own versions of the Bayeux Tapestry. They also learned about the Domesday Book, the Black Death and its remedies, and the lives of people in Medieval England.

Year 5 were captivated by Tudor England, a time of great change and intrigue. They learned about the battles, the monarchs, the religion and the society of the Tudors. They also had a wonderful residential trip to Hooke Court where they experienced Tudor life first-hand. They cooked, studied and slept in the same historic building that was supposedly visited by Henry VIII himself!

The chronological nature of history here at Sherborne Prep is incredibly important, as it not only secures prior knowledge but also provides our children with a rich contextual understanding. This year saw Year 6 continue chronologically into the Stuart period. As children progress up the school, the study of history becomes more rigorous, in terms of securing techniques and teaching the skills of analysis. Understanding interpretation, recognising bias and propaganda, deciphering a source of evidence, and acknowledging the importance of provenance all begin in Year 6 and the Stuarts are the perfect monarchs upon which to practice these skills. Children have thoroughly enjoyed learning about James I, Charles I, and the Duke of Buckingham, and painstakingly deliberated over to whom they might pledge their personal allegiance within the English Civil War. Arguments have been written, opinions hotly contested, and battle lines finally drawn – all that is left is for Year 6 to join the English Civil War of 1642!

Year 7 immersed themselves in the Industrial Revolution, a period of transformation and innovation. They presented their research on various aspects of industry and demonstrated their knowledge and confidence. They also studied the changes in agriculture and transport that shaped Industrial Britain. They enjoyed a wonderful trip to Bristol where they visited the SS Great Britain, a stunning ship that clearly demonstrated the achievements of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. They also walked across the Clifton Suspension Bridge, another masterpiece of engineering, and admired the beautiful views.

Our Year 8 pupils worked harder than ever in History in order to prepare for their senior exams. Many primed for scholarship and analysed the most challenging sources, writing a great many essays concentrating on their quality of evidence, analysis, and evaluation. Others studied the First World War and produced excellent work that showed their understanding and analysis of this period. All of Year 8 then studied ‘Russia in Revolution 1900 to 1917’ and gained some insight into the context and challenges of Russia and its Empire at the turn of the 20th Century.

As you can see, the History Department here at Sherborne Prep is a busy and vibrant one, and we truly believe our children very much enjoy the history in which they learn and engage. The adventure continues next year as the children understand and piece together the past.

Numbering off

Sherborne Prep School had a highly successful year in Mathematics, marked by numerous achievements and engaging activities.

In a notable collaboration, we developed a STEM session in partnership with Leonardo Helicopters. This session provided an extraordinary opportunity for children to delve into the world of aviation and explore the mathematical concepts that underpin helicopter design and flight. The interactive experience left the young mathematicians inspired and motivated to pursue other STEM fields.

Throughout the year, the school ensured that pupils were consistently challenged in their maths lessons. The curriculum not only covered the core mathematical concepts but also encouraged the children to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. This approach fostered a deeper understanding of mathematics and nurtured a growth mindset among the children.

A highlight of the year was the Junior Maths Day event, where children from different year groups came together to participate in stimulating maths challenges and puzzles. The event showcased the incredible talent and passion for mathematics among the children; it also served as a platform for collaborative learning and the development of critical thinking skills.

International Day of Mathematics was celebrated amongst our senior year groups, where pupils were engaged, inspired and challenged by lessons and lectures. The event not only fostered a love for mathematics, but also encouraged children to think critically and problem-solve.

The school’s commitment to providing exceptional mathematical education continues.

At the time of writing, Year 8 are preparing, mirabile dictu, to visit the amazing Roman Villa at The Newt, hard on the heels of their reading parts of The Iliad and The Odyssey in translation. A significant majority will take Latin at their secondary school, with the lion’s share of the others taking Classical Civilisation.

Those who sat scholarship Latin covered most of the GCSE language prescription and have applied themselves superbly, with very impressive results. Many have mastered most of this material at a young age, and I hope that one pupil will not mind my quoting the beginning of the report on her scholarship paper which began: ‘WOW! What a stellar achievement. She should be exceptionally proud…’ Hear hear!

We embraced with gusto from Year 6 all the joyful introductions to the Ancient World, reminding ourselves about the dinner parties-that-never-end, the gladiators, the baths, the theatres and what it was like to live in the Roman Empire in the first century AD. The fusion of the linguistic benefits of Latin syntax, grammar and vocabulary and the cultural benefits of the grounding in literature, art, architecture and Ancient History continue to draw our pupils in, and to be an important and varied part of our academic curriculum.