Academic
The Pre-Prep Curriculum at Abbot’s Hill
Pre-Prep at Abbot’s Hill covers Reception through Year 2, for children aged 4 to 7. Our curriculum is rooted in the EYFS framework and the Key Stage 1 National Curriculum, but delivered with a “stage, not age” philosophy: teachers take the time to understand exactly where each child is in their learning, so every child is stretched and supported in the right measure — not according to a fixed timetable.
Learning at this age happens through play, exploration and hands-on discovery. Teachers follow each child’s natural curiosity, introducing new concepts when a child is genuinely ready for them, and building lessons around stories, construction, role play and outdoor learning. It’s an approach designed to keep academic foundations firm while leaving plenty of room for imagination.
All Pre-Prep children are taught by specialist teachers — drawn from our Prep and Senior School departments — in Music, French, PE, Games and Swimming, from Reception onwards.
What does a Reception child learn at Abbot’s Hill?
Reception welcomes children from age 4, in classes capped at 12 children with a 1:6 staff:pupil ratio. Pupils follow the EYFS curriculum, with particular emphasis on building firm foundations in literacy and numeracy through adult-led Phonics and Maths lessons, alongside child-initiated play that lets pupils practise and extend those skills independently.
Reception pupils also benefit from specialist teaching in French, Music, PE and Woodland School from their first term. [ ] % of children achieve or exceed the Early Learning Goals by the end of Reception, leaving them well prepared for the more structured demands of Year 1.
How does the curriculum change in Year 1 and Year 2?
The move from Reception’s play-based approach into Year 1 is deliberately gradual. Teachers and Teaching Assistants scaffold the transition, encouraging children to persevere and take considered risks with their learning — skills that underpin independent learning later on.
By Years 1 and 2, the curriculum aligns with the rest of Abbot’s Hill Prep School, and specialist teaching extends to Computing and Drama. Woodland School sessions continue throughout, building teamwork, resilience and confidence outdoors. Children also begin joining the school’s co-curricular clubs — with over 50 running across the school — giving them their first taste of trying something new outside the core timetable.
Our approach in practice
- EYFS and Key Stage 1 National Curriculum, adapted by experienced teachers rather than followed rigidly
- “Stage, not age”: progress is measured against the individual child, not a fixed year-group benchmark
- Specialist subject teaching from age 4: Music, French, PE, Games and Swimming taught by dedicated specialists, not generalist class teachers
- Woodland School, running from Reception through Year 2, for outdoor learning, risk-taking and team building
- Reception classes capped at 12 children, with a 1:6 staff:pupil ratio — small enough that teachers genuinely know each child as an individual
Academic achievement matters deeply to us — but so does joy. We believe that children learn best when they are happy, and we work hard to ensure that curiosity and laughter are never in short supply. Your child will be genuinely known here: seen, supported, and valued by talented teachers who care about them as individuals, not just as learners.
Along the way, they will build lasting friendships, grow in confidence, and develop the character and skills that will serve them throughout their education and beyond.
We champion the courage to have a go. In our classrooms, every effort is celebrated, there’s no such thing as a silly question, and children are gently encouraged to try new things, take small risks and grow in confidence every day. We take time to understand each child’s personality and learning style, making sure every pupil feels valued for exactly who they are.
