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Inspection report 2010
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Overview
The first stage of a Perse education
We take children into our outstanding Nursery in the September following their third birthday. Sessions may be arranged so that, should parents wish, children stay with us all day and join the rest of us for lunch. All children attend for a minimum of five sessions, including two afternoons and depending on availability they may increase their sessions. Some of our Nursery children attend full-time.
We have a maximum of 152 children in the school who are taught and cared for by a dedicated, well-qualified staff team. Nursery caters for up to 24 children per session with a ratio of 1:8 (one adult to every 8 children). Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have a maximum of 20 children in each class and all are supported by their own highly-qualified, experienced teaching assistant. This low ratio of 1:10 enables all our children to benefit from plenty of individual attention whilst having opportunities to develop ideas as a result of spiralling connections with the others in our vibrant classrooms.
A wonderful environment
The buildings of The Nursery and Pre-Prep began life in 1911 as a boarding house for The Upper. Much has changed since then but we benefit from the beautiful trees planted long ago. Our mature, leafy environment is complete with gardens teeming with wildlife, from squirrels to woodpeckers, and a pond that single-handedly keeps the frog population of Cambridge in a healthy state! Our building has been sympathetically extended over the years so that it retains the feel of a family home whilst providing children with exceptional space and up-to-date facilities, both inside and outside.
Excellent facilities
Our facilities provide all that is required and more to give our children every opportunity for a fulfilling start to their education. Spacious classrooms have play areas, generous wet areas and expansive outdoor areas in the Early Years. We ensure that the transition to Key Stage One is a smooth one so that our philosophy of education remains the same as children begin more formal learning but still have space and time to play.
Our child-friendly library has usurped the old housemaster’s drawing room and the beautiful bay windows flood the room with light. Children snuggle into bean bag chairs and become engrossed in books. All children in the school take a book home to enjoy each week.
You would expect us to have exceptional IT facilities and we do. In addition to computers and Smart Boards in every classroom we also have a dedicated IT suite. Children record their own videos, take their own photographs, record themselves speaking and use programmable toys.
Everyone at school is provided with a freshly cooked lunch and there is always a vegetarian option as well as salad available. Dietary requirements are catered for.
Out of school club
Larks and Owls are the names for our out-of-school care clubs enabling children to stay from 8am to 5.30pm if required.
An outstanding school
In 2010, the school was deemed to be outstanding in all areas in a full ISI inspection.