Learning Philosophy & Culture in Pre-Prep
Within our Pre-Prep, we work hard to develop Creative, Curious, Collaborative, and Self-confident learners. We achieve this by taking a holistic approach, in which every child is known deeply, and their uniqueness celebrated and encouraged.
Pre-Prep children are supported to use a ‘growth mindset’ to play to their strengths, to be resilient to overcome challenges, to follow their interests, and to push their abilities to the full. We promote a ‘values-based’ culture, with as much weight afforded to supporting the children to become first-class citizens of the world, as to academic excellence. Pre-Prep children are encouraged to be kind, considerate, inclusive, happy in their own skins, and endlessly curious and inquisitive about the world around them.
In Pre-Prep, we have intentionally small class sizes, very strong teacher to child ratios, and an inspirational team of Class Teachers, Teaching Assistants, and Wraparound Care. This means that we are able to build powerful and impactful learning relationships with each and every child, and we can provide support, academic stretch, and above all, inspire the children to ‘reach for the stars’, so that they love coming to school and are hungry to learn.
We adopt a creative and dynamic approach to curriculum design throughout the Pre-Prep. We deliver academic excellence in core subjects like Literacy, Maths, Science, and Humanities, and we use storytelling, music, drama, and memorable real-world opportunities to bring the curriculum to life, and most importantly, to make sure that our children are having fun with their learning.
Pre-Prep children have specialist teachers for French, Sport, Art, and Music, from Reception onwards, providing a full immersion at a young age into these subjects, which in turn stands them in good stead for when they transition into the Prep School.
In our Pre-Prep, we work in a cross-curricular way, and we explore a wide range of engaging topics throughout the year, including The Gunpowder Plot, Victorians, The Aztecs, The Great Fire of London, Pirates, Explorers, Dinosaurs, Fairy Tales, and Festivals Around the World.
Because we have small class sizes, we can be flexible and adaptable in our curriculum, and proactively respond to the interests of individual children. For example, last year in Form 1, we had a group of children particularly intrigued by British Kings and Queens, so we pivoted, and focused our topic work and educational trips to actively explore that interest. We went to venues such as Warwick Castle, and linked everything together in a creative way, engendering maximum engagement with learning, and resulting in high achievement by the children.
Indeed, when children are inspired, happy, and personally invested in their learning, we know for certain that we have categorically achieved our aims. We see the tangible outcomes of our approach in the academic excellence demonstrated by our pupils. CCCS Pre-Prep children make accelerated academic progress during their time with us, typically achieving well in advance of their chronological age. For those children perceived to be gifted in particular subjects, or indeed across the breadth of the curriculum, we are able to extend their learning, and to ‘unclip their wings’ so that they are able to explore their abilities in an unfettered way, achieving truly exceptional academic results in the process.
At CCCS, our unique position right in the heart of Oxford, means that we can effortlessly take our learning beyond the classroom and bring our curriculum to life. In Pre-Prep, we love our many expeditions, to places such as the Ashmolean Museum, The Museum of Natural History, The Botanic Gardens, The Oxford Playhouse, The Story Museum, and of course, making the most of our ‘VIP Access’ to Christ Church itself! We also regularly embark on curriculum enrichment trips to places further afield such as Cogges Manor Farm, Science Oxford, Warwick Castle, and Blenheim Palace.
In Pre-Prep, we have developed our own ‘mini’ Enrichment Programme, with a host of clubs and activities to spark the children’s imagination and to build independence and life skills, including: Library, Art, Cookery, Film, Out and About, Drama, Mandarin, and Music clubs.
However, the perennial favourite activity for our Pre-Prep pupils, is to visit our unique Woodland School on the edge of Merton Field, within Christ Church Meadow. It gives the children lots of freedom to play, explore, and experiment, as well as allowing us as teachers to take the curriculum outdoors and to engage with nature right on our doorstep. We have exciting plans to develop the Woodland School, with the help of our ever-enthusiastic pupils, in collaboration with the Christ Church Gardening Team.
Music is a huge part of life at CCCS, and in our Pre-Prep, this is no exception. From Reception onwards, pupils have music lessons with our wonderful Director of Music, Miss Biddell, and they learn how to sing as part of a choir and in instrumental ensembles. Our children take part in many performances across the year, often over at Christ Church, and these unique experiences grow the children’s confidence and prepare them for the extraordinary musical opportunities afforded to them as they move up the school. From Form 2, children choose instruments and begin to take specialist music lessons with renowned instrumental teachers.
Our Pre-Prep at CCCS really is unique. It has a lovely open culture, with a nurturing environment, dynamic teaching, music around every corner, and above all, extremely happy and high-achieving pupils.
Mr Tom Robards
Head of Pre-Prep
Form 1 Teacher
