Preparatory School

The Prep Way

We are one School. Therefore, the incredible resources, facilities and specialist teaching staff of our Senior School are embedded into the offer provided to our Prep School children too, elevating their curriculum beyond the norm. The teaching of Science in highly equipped laboratories, of Design Technology utilising our workshops, ICT suites and 3D printers and Languages in our Language Labs enable our pupils to reach a level of achievement that goes beyond the aspirations of a normal Primary or Prep School, and allows them to join Senior School classes with seamless confidence.

Similarly, being coached in Sport on our Astro Turf, Cricket Academy and Swimming Pool or Music in our dedicated Music School we hope will all act to provide our Prep pupils with the very best educational opportunities possible.

We can do this through our bespoke and very individual ‘Prep Way’ and we look forward to your children experiencing it for themselves.

The Prep Way

Our Prep Way is a bold vision for an elevated Prep School that offers unparalleled opportunities for our younger pupils to flourish. Our aim is to provide quality and breadth of curricular and co-curricular opportunity that is undoubtedly exceptional and which provides a perfect transition to our county-leading Senior School.

Mrs Kathryn Thomson

Head of Preparatory School

Your child’s time at school is precious, it is important, and it should be remarkable. Education is fundamental to our lives, and we strive to provide an experience that is exceptional and unparalleled in terms of its breadth, depth and quality and strive to provide opportunities for our pupils to develop inside and outside the classroom.

Our school community is unique, warm, fun and supportive and we have high aspirations for all of our pupils. Our pupils have unrivalled access to superb facilities throughout the Prep School, which we believe helps to stimulate their curiosities in a progressive and inspiring learning environment.

Through innovative teaching, exceptional facilities, and a desire to go above and beyond the norm, an educational experience at NULS Prep is the vehicle to equip your child with the skills and abilities they need to progress to later stages of education and to prepare them for a lifetime of discovery.

Learning

We pride ourselves on our high academic standards and know that children learn best when they are enjoying themselves. That is why our lessons are fun and challenging, following but not bound by the National Curriculum and enhanced by the expertise and enthusiasm of our dedicated team of staff.

With a broad range of subjects, small class sizes and individual attention your child will prosper in a setting designed to give them the best possible start in life. Furthermore, with specialist teaching in music and Modern Foreign Languages, an IT suite and extensive facilities, children have every opportunity to progress.

With smaller class sizes and individual support where necessary, children at our Prep School develop the confidence to tackle tasks and problems with resilience, humour and tenacity. Regular formal and informal assessment informs teachers’ planning and enables us to challenge each child at the appropriate level, making the most of every child’s potential.

Learning at NULS

Pastoral Care

We pride ourselves on getting to know our children as individuals, sharing in their triumphs and frustrations, guiding them as they negotiate their way through this stage of their educational journey. Pastoral care is a vital aspect of School life.

We believe in the development of the whole pupil and it is our aim to ensure that every pupil leaves NULS Prep feeling comfortable with themselves, and with the emotional strength and ability to make life choices that serve them well. Class teachers are there to keep a close eye on the well-being and personal development of each child, communicating with parents regularly to ensure the home-school partnership is as strong as possible. We believe we have a responsibility to help shape children’s characters as well as their minds and we have high expectations in terms of behaviour and manners.

We Thrive is our whole school pastoral programme that aims to ensure NULS’ culture is kind and supportive and consistently celebrates our pupils’ individuality and diversity.

Co-Curricular

Co-curricular activities are pivotal to life in our Prep School. We know that learning doesn’t just take place inside the classroom which is why learning to thrive in music, sport, drama and the wealth of clubs and activities we offer is central to the experience of a NULS Prep pupil.

To be a Prep pupil is to be busy, happy and fully engaged by the wealth of activities on offer.

Pre-Prep

From Pre-Prep, we encourage all of our children to become involved in the wider life of the School according to their own interests and potential. Music and sports are popular activities with tuition available in a wide range of instruments while our Physical Education programme provides an introduction to the major sports and includes dance/movement and swimming lessons. We also offer a wide range of lunchtime and after school clubs, enabling our pupils to expand their horizons in everything from Ballet to Baking and Spanish to Stoke City Football.

Prep

From Year 3-6, we continue to pursue the diversity of, and participation in, extra-curricular activities both at lunchtimes and after school. These include technology, swimming, football, netball, hockey, cricket, journalism, coding, athletics, music, gymnastics, tennis, art, speech and drama, dance, French and chess and more!

School teams and musicians take part in events and competitions locally, regionally and nationally and at each assembly time is taken to celebrate and praise the many achievements of our children at whatever level.

Co-Curricular

Support for Learning

In our Prep School, we recognise that all of our pupils sometimes need support in their learning. Our Teachers, Teaching Assistants and specialist Support for Learning staff take into account the wealth of factors that can influence the way a young person learns and make adaptations to lessons and activities as needed.

We are an inclusive community and understanding the neurodiversity and physical needs of our pupils is at the heart of our practice.

Our Support for Learning Co-ordinator is always available to work with parents as we make sure that every child has access to the best learning and co-curricular opportunities.

Prep Adventures

Super-Curricular

Super-curricular activities are an incredibly important part of our offer and they seamlessly enhance the educational experience of our pupils through programmes such as Pre-Med Junior, Prep Adventures, Chess etc.

Why not take a tour

Open Days

Parent's Testimonial

“I’ve got to know the staff over many years and they have always been very supportive, very warm and I feel like I can approach them, they are always very willing to help with any issues I may have, often without letting my daughter know that I have an issue or worry”

Prep Parent