Welcome from James Piper, Head
At the Prep we are committed to helping your child develop as a confident, smiling, interesting and interested individual. We are a relaxed yet purposeful co-educational school of just over 280 children, aged 7 to 11.
The School has a strong academic edge, attracting an outstanding group of specialist staff who spark in the children academic curiosity and a love of learning.
Prep children thrive on challenges outside the classroom with great emphasis placed on developing breadth and balance through first-rate sport, clubs, music, art, drama and outdoor pursuits.
Excellent pastoral care is at the heart of our work and ensures that our children feel completely at ease and secure in their surroundings.
The qualities of a Perse Prep education were recognised in the 2016 ISI Inspection Report which concluded that we offered an ‘exceptional’ education.
I very much hope that you will visit us; it is through observation of our pupils at work and play that you will experience the happy and purposeful learning atmosphere that characterises the Prep.
Overview
The Prep is set in spacious, mature parkland on Trumpington Road. Traditional and modern buildings are successfully combined on site, from the Victorian Leighton House (once the home of Cambridge retailer Robert Sayle) to the ‘New School’ building which opened in 2008. Work has begun on a new state-of-the-art Science Department, at the heart of the School, fully-equipped for all types of individual practicals and group experiments. The Department will be ready for the start of the 2017/18 school year. The Prep has nine acres of playing fields on its doorstep, including a full size astroturf.
The formal school day runs from 8.25am to 3.35pm; with our before and after school care and clubs, pupils can be here from 7.45am to 6pm.
The Prep is an academically selective school with pupils of above average ability who relish challenge. Most pupils progress to the Upper in Year 7. Pupils follow a broad curriculum which promotes intellectual curiosity and a love of learning, and we nurture creativity through a vibrant programme of drama, music and art.
We encourage every pupil to make the most of our extra-curricular provision. There is a wide range of lunchtime and after school clubs – more than 60 currently. Music is strong with over 30 different ensembles (including numerous choirs and an orchestra comprising of a quarter of the School). Sport is a major part of a Prep education, and all children compete, whether in House Matches or against other schools. A popular House system provides opportunities for extra-curricular involvement and for older and younger pupils to mix and work together. We offer a wide range of trips in the UK and Europe.
Pastoral care is first class: Form Teachers, Heads of Year and the Assistant Head (Pastoral) all support pupils, who have access to a medical room, with a qualified nurse, and to our counselling service.
We make good use of technology, based on our philosophy that it should be effective, meaningful and engaging. Resources include a dedicated ICT suite, a music technology room and bookable laptops and iPads. All classrooms are equipped with SMART boards and PCs. Staff can access the school Wi-Fi (with age appropriate filtering) and we use SharePoint as our Virtual Learning Environment.
