Prep
The Prep School at Parkside is for boys aged 7-13. These exciting years are transformational.
The young boys at the beginning of this journey in Year 3 become self-respecting, confident and happy young men as they leave at the end of Year 8; ready and well-equipped for senior school.
The curriculum is designed to challenge, support and ignite a curiosity for learning. It is centred on the core values of PSB (Pre-Senior School Baccalaureate); focussing on transferable skills of learning rather than knowledge. Teaching the boys to develop the courage to take risks, embrace new opportunities, make links in their learning and become curious is at the very heart of how our pupils learn. The result is that boys are equipped to tackle any task, no matter how unfamiliar, with commitment and the confidence required to achieve their very best. We encourage the boys to step out of their comfort zone and embrace challenge rather than fear it. This results in pupils leaving the Prep School as lifelong learners with passion, inquisitiveness, independence and above all, confidence.
The Prep School begins in Year 3 where the pupils are based in their Form room for the majority of their academic lessons. This helps with the transition from Pre Prep, whilst allowing the boys to settle into the increased rigour and expectations of Prep School lessons. From Years 4 to 8, the boys remain in their Forms for the foundation subjects; thus, allowing strong relationships and friendships to develop with their peers. They are set for reasoning and the core subjects, which enables specifically focussed classroom teaching where each pupil is closely tracked and progress is assessed and reviewed regularly. These sets are fluid, to accommodate boys progressing at different rates and at different times. With specialist teachers and small class sizes that don’t exceed 18, every boy receives teaching tailored to their needs; every small detail that will make a difference to a boy is planned in.
It is important that boys are given the opportunities to develop into well-rounded individuals and many strands to this tapestry of learning are required if we are to find and nurture every boy’s talents, passions and strengths. We recognise that a balanced and diverse curriculum allows the boys to explore strategies and learning methods by presenting them with opportunities to do this. This is why the ‘extras’ like food tech, Forest School and increased computing and technology is built in to our curriculum.
Parkside's Pre Test Programme begins at the end of Year 4 and is built around preparation for the transition to Senior School. This year, Parkside is celebrating outstanding success with unconditional offers given to boys for Year 9 entry from Tonbridge, Charterhouse, Hampton, RGS and Epsom College just to name a few. Ongoing communication with families is kept open, honest and regular with a high percentage joining a Scholarship programme for their Senior School.
“I am always delighted to accept young men from Parkside as members of the RGS. I have been very impressed with the academic standards which are being achieved at the school but, more importantly, boys from Parkside are delightful additions to our community…”
Dr JM Cox, Headmaster, Royal Grammar School, Guildford – February 2021.
More Senior School Testimonials
A large number of pupils achieve scholarship awards to senior schools in many different subjects, including: Academic, Music, Art, Sport, All Round, D&T, Drama Scholarships. Additional support and lessons are offered from the beginning of Year 7 to those boys taking Scholarship exams in Year 8. All other pupils prepare for Common Entrance exams in English, maths and science, taken in the final term of Year 8.
Pre Test Programme
Following the success this year of the Year 6 Pre–test results, with boys’ numerous unconditional offers at a range of Senior Schools, interest has escalated for places in Year 5 for autumn term 2022. Parkside School’s Year 5 Pre-test Programme is a carefully planned and detailed programme for boys entering Year 5, to help prepare them for their Senior School Pre-test.
Parkside’s Pre-test Programme starts as early as the summer term of Year 4, where an individual learning profile is prepared. This ensures that, at the beginning of Year 5, assessments give crucial data analysis of each boys’ ability, their strengths, and weaknesses. The programme includes a Senior Schools fair, Pre-test information evening, one-to-one meetings with the Head, Nicole Janssen; who discusses your son’s progress and suggests senior schools choices. Extension and booster groups run throughout the year and into Year 6, running alongside exam preparation, culminating in mock interviews with members from a range of Senior Schools Leadership teams. Study skills workshops, techniques for memory retention and leadership days are all part of the programme, underpinning individually tailored and focussed prep for consolidation of key information and skills. Wellbeing workshops also run alongside the skills-based workshops to provide pastoral support for the boys and assist in managing stress levels.
This year, Parkside are celebrating outstanding success with unconditional offers given to boys for Year 9 entry from Tonbridge, Charterhouse, Hampton, RGS and Epsom College just to name a few. Ongoing communication with families is kept open, honest and regular with a high percentage joining a Scholarship programme for their Senior School.
“I am always delighted to accept young men from Parkside as members of the RGS. I have been very impressed with the academic standards which are being achieved at the school but, more importantly, boys from Parkside are delightful additions to our community…”
Dr JM Cox, Headmaster, Royal Grammar School, Guildford – February 2021.
A large number of pupils achieve scholarship awards to senior schools in many different subjects, including: Academic, Music, Art, Sport, All Round, D&T, Drama Scholarships. Additional support and lessons are offered from the beginning of Year 7 to those boys taking Scholarship exams in Year 8. All other pupils prepare for Common Entrance exams in English, maths and science, taken in the final term of Year 8.
The School Day
The Parkside School day is full and engaging. It allows flexibility for families who have commitments outside school hours.
Pre Prep and Prep
| 7.30am | Breakfast Club (Servery) |
| 8.00am | Early Drop Off (Salon) |
| 8.20am | School Day Starts: Form / Class Time |
| 10.35am | BREAK |
| 12.00pm | LUNCH (Pre Prep) |
| 1.05pm | LUNCH (Prep - 2 sittings) |
| 3.15pm | Pre Prep day ends |
| 3.15pm | Pre Prep After School Clubs |
| 4.00pm | Prep school day ends |
| 4.00pm | Prep school After School Clubs |
| 4.00pm | Pre Prep After-School Care |
| 4.10pm | Minibuses depart |
| 5.00pm | Prep After School Care |
| 6.00pm | School closes |
