Co-Curricular and Trips
In the Pre-Prep at Abbot’s Hill, learning continues well beyond the classroom walls. Our Pre-Prep children — in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 (ages 4–7) — enjoy a rich and varied programme of activities each week, from specialist PE and weekly swimming to Forest School sessions in our own woodland, music, drama and educational visits across Hertfordshire and beyond.
These experiences spark curiosity, build confidence and nurture passions that can last a lifetime. Pre-Prep children at Abbot’s Hill take part in at least 4 timetabled co-curricular sessions each week, alongside a programme of educational trips and visiting workshops throughout the year. Most importantly, we want our children to bound home each day eager to share their adventures — and our families tell us they certainly do.
Sport and Physical Education
Each week, children enjoy specialist-taught PE lessons as well as dedicated games sessions. Throughout the year, children take part in much-loved Pre-Prep sporting events — including cross-country races — giving them the chance to shine in front of a cheering crowd. The highlight of the summer term is our eagerly anticipated Pre-Prep Sports Day, a celebration of energy, enthusiasm and school spirit that the whole community looks forward to.
Swimming
Every Pre-Prep child at Abbot’s Hill enjoys weekly swimming lessons, taught by specialist instructors in the school’s own heated pool. Swimming is part of the timetable from the very beginning of a child’s time in Pre-Prep — not an optional extra, but a core part of what we offer every child, every week.
We believe learning to swim is one of the most important skills a young child can acquire. Water safety awareness — understanding how to be safe in and around water, how to float, and how to call for help — is built into our swimming programme from the earliest lessons. These are life skills in the truest sense, and we are proud to give every Pre-Prep child a strong, confident foundation in the water during the years when it matters most.
As children move through Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, lessons are carefully structured to build on each child’s individual ability and confidence. By the time they transition into the Prep School, the vast majority of our Pre-Prep pupils are competent, water-confident swimmers — ready to take on the competitive and recreational swimming opportunities that the wider school has to offer.
Music, Drama and the Arts
Creativity shines brightly in our Pre-Prep. Children love to sing, dance, paint and build imaginative creations, and we nurture this enthusiasm through a rich introduction to music, art, drama and dance from Reception onwards.In the Early Years, children sing together regularly and enjoy experimenting with simple percussion instruments. By Years 1 and 2, they can begin learning an instrument — an ideal foundation for the wider musical opportunities available in the Prep School and beyond.
Drama is a joyful and important part of Pre-Prep life. As well as developing speaking, listening and performance skills, our productions are treasured moments for families and children alike. From the much-loved Christmas Nativity to Form Assemblies throughout the year, every child has a chance to shine on stage — whatever their personality or confidence level.
In Art, children work across a range of media and techniques, building creative skills and visual literacy that complement their broader learning. Work is displayed throughout the Pre-Prep, giving children a genuine audience for their achievements and a real sense of pride in what they make.
Outdoor Learning and Forest School
Educational Visits and Trips
Early Years children begin by exploring their local area — including visits to the nearby canal — to develop their knowledge of community and environment. As they move through Years 1 and 2, trips become longer and more wide-ranging, with destinations including Kew Gardens and Windsor Castle .
Pupils also benefit from visiting workshops throughout the year — including science and storytelling, bringing expert practitioners into school for hands-on, memorable learning experiences.
All trips are carefully risk-assessed and planned to align with curriculum topics, ensuring that time out of the classroom always enriches what happens inside it.
Lunchtime and After School Clubs
