Years 7 & 8
The first years of secondary education are crucial; pupils should thrive in an environment where they feel challenged, nurtured and respected. The Prep is the perfect place for this to happen. We welcome a number of new pupils in Year 7 who join many of our existing students to complete the Common Entrance course.
The academic curriculum stimulates our students, preparing them for entrance examinations and scholarships. They are taught by specialist teachers in a broad range of subjects including Spanish, French, science, art, music and drama. They are given the opportunity to reinforce their classroom learning with regular visits, workshops and field trips. These vary from Bushcraft stays to visiting Bayeux, Ypres and the WWI trenches.
Competitive sport is played each week and everyone gets the opportunity to play against other schools. The chamber choir, senior orchestra, stomp band and Prep Idol are established for our senior pupils only.
As the children enter Year 7 they are offered opportunities for responsibilities and leadership which enable them to move on in life with confidence as well as self-reliance. Years 7 and 8 pupils wear a different colour blazer to the rest of the school to highlight the important role they have. They are buddies to younger pupils and organise and lead many groups in the school including the School Council and the House Music Competition
Years 7 and 8 are a period of physical and emotional change; it is a sensitive time and the value of being in a caring environment where class sizes are small and every teacher knows every child extremely well is key to ensuring that our students feel supported.
Listen to Luke Harrison talk about the benefits of a Prep school education for Years 7 and 8.
Mr Tom Lawson, Head of Eastbourne College, provides a senior school perspective on the advantages of spending Years 7&8 in a Prep School.
Our Heads of School share their insights into their roles and responsibilities as leaders within our school community.
Listen here to our Head Boy speech at Prize Giving
Listen here to our Head Girl speech at Prize Giving
Read our former pupils’ reflections of Years 7&8 at The Prep
Please click here to learn more about Years 7 and 8 at The Prep.
While our main feeder schools are Sevenoaks and Tonbridge, our students go on to attend a wide variety of independent secondary schools at 13. Through working closely with parents and understanding each individual student’s needs, we ensure the chosen secondary school is the most appropriate setting for them to succeed academically and thrive personally.
Please click here for a list of our destination schools
We want our pupils to leave us as individuals who are confident in their own abilities, who cherish friendships, welcome responsibility, understand their place in community and who know the value of teamwork. One only has to look at the accomplishments of our former students to know that we achieve our aims.
