Reception

No two days in Ashford Prep Reception are the same and the children are encouraged to be bold and brave during their daily learning.

Our approach is to ensure that from the moment a child joins us that they are provided with opportunities to learn that challenge the individual at an appropriate level and inspire their young minds.

Our small class sizes (usually between 12 and 16) and generous adult to child ratios in Reception ensure that our staff are able to truly understand your child as an individual and to put in place tailor-made next steps to help them on the path to being the best possible versions of themselves.

Our school prides itself on exceptional pastoral care and we believe that a child’s happiness is a key part of their future success and growth. Our fantastic adult to child ratios coupled with a support network of form tutors and specialist Reception based teaching assistants, Heads of Year, Head of Pre-Prep, Head of EYFS and a Deputy Head (Pastoral) ensure that the well-being of every child is a focus every day.

We are also able to offer specialist support through our dedicated Wellbeing Team, who are on hand to help children and their families when life throws something challenging their way.

We believe that children benefit hugely from working with the most skilful and supportive adults possible.

Children in Reception receive specialist teaching in wider curriculum areas such as French and Modern Foreign Languages, Sport, Dance and Music. Our subject specialists ensure that our youngest learners develop early interests in a wide range of subject areas.

We value the importance of building solid academic foundations in Reception and the vast majority of our children leave Reception working above age related expectations in a range of areas.

Whilst we do not believe in putting unnecessary pressure on young children, we do believe in valuing early academic rigour that fosters a skilful learner and an inquisitive mind.

Our Reception very much mirrors the way the rest of the Prep School operates in terms of striving to provide the most fulsome educational experience possible. Learning doesn’t stop when the lessons finish and our Reception children have daily access to a broad range of co-curricular clubs and activities both within the school day and after school. From ballet to Lego Club, Yoga to Story Club, swimming to Dance Club, there is something for everyone and most children take full advantage of our exciting co-curricular programme.

A vital ingredient to school life at Ashford Prep School is that children feel confident to be themselves from the moment that they join us.

Through exceptional pastoral care, sharing of achievements through Evidence Me, ‘Let’s Talk’ sessions, termly prizegivings, Pre-Prep celebration assemblies, open classroom events and the pride that comes from being part of our School House systems, all of our Reception pupils get to experience what is means to be celebrated and move on up through the school full of confidence.

Our vast site provides an idyllic setting in which to learn, play and grow. We want children to develop a real love of being outdoors, no matter what the weather, and muddy boots are very much a fixture at Ashford Prep Nursery. Whether in their own adventurous learning area or accessing our dedicated Forest Schools zone, Reception children fill their lungs with fresh air and their minds with thoughts of exploration and adventure.

Our all-through school also ensures that children who join us in the early stages of their educational journey have time to grow into the best possible versions of themselves, whilst at the same time cherishing their childhood.

We want to ensure that our learners are equipped with the right tools to be successful in their learning. Technology, when utilised effectively, can play a huge role in supporting children to become skilful and independent learners. Through our 1:1 iPad offer, every child from Reception upwards is not only provided with their own iPad for learning, but more importantly, the skills and knowledge to use that iPad as a tool for transformational learning. This has been invaluable in recent times both at School and in delivering an exceptional home learning offer.

We appreciate the demands that life places on our busy parents and as a School we want to do all that we can to support our families.

Our Breakfast and After-School Clubs ensure that you have peace of mind that your child will be looked after and nurtured from 7.30am in the morning until 6.30pm in the evening should you require it.