First Steps - The Preps

"I came in Prep I. Everyone was shy but very friendly and the teachers made  sure that everyone fitted in."
(Junior Pupil)

Housed in its own building with its own playground and play meadow, the Preps welcome girls from the age of four. We understand the importance of enthusing girls and instilling self confidence within a safe atmosphere of learning and love. We do not underestimate the girls and they rarely disappoint  us. A team of highly dedicated and experienced staff teaches classes of twenty-four  children. Every class has a Form Mistress who encourages and looks after the well-being of each child. The emphasis in these early years is on developing  girls' creativity and curiosity and in providing a firm grounding in literacy,  numeracy and personal skills. The girls have specialist teachers in Music and PE.

'Teachers listen carefully to pupils, and give them many opportunities to express themselves. They encourage pupils to be creative and  to engage in discussions at a high level of sophistication.'
(Ofsted Inspection Report July 2006) 

Music and Sport play an important role in the life of St Augustine's right from the start, gymnastics, movement to music, co-ordination skills and athletics are enjoyed by the younger girls and the after-school ballet club is very popular.  In fact, ballet forms part of the curriculum in Prep I (Reception).  Girls can also learn to play the recorder and can take private tuition on a huge range of musical instruments.

But above all, the Preps are places of imagination and laughter. Unlike other  schools we do have fairies at the bottom of our garden.

"The Preps are idyllic for any child. It's the place to send your daughter."
(Parent)