The Main Prep

‘We learn to respect each other’s different strengths and to find our own’

During their four years in the Main Prep pupils’ learning is enriched by an extensive timetable delivered by subject specialists. The pace is rapid but with excellent staff/pupil ratios and specialist classroom support, we endeavour to meet each pupil’s needs. Great emphasis continues to be placed on the three core subjects of English, mathematics and science. ICT is used extensively in teaching and to extend pupils’ skills in independent enquiry. French is introduced in Form 3 and a broad and balanced curriculum is offered for the foundation subjects. The school is divided into three houses, Beeches, Cedars and Oaks to foster the positive values of teamwork and personal and corporate responsibility as lessons for later life.

Specialist support for a child diagnosed with dyslexia is available through our link with the Dyslexia Institute, which has its unit for the Uttoxeter schools at Smallwood. Children who are academically gifted or who have a talent in sport, music, art or drama are given many opportunities to excel through a busy calendar of school events and are prepared for scholarships to senior schools, most noticeably Denstone College. The honour boards in the school dining room testify to our excellent scholarship record.

The school day begins at 8.30 a.m., although pupils may arrive at 8.00 a.m. There is a flexible finish to the day with a range of after school clubs and prep sessions available from 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. This is designed to help busy working parents and to respect pupils' different interests, needs and energies.

The Arts

Smallwood has an excellent musical tradition. The school has several music specialists and the pupils' standards of achievement are consistently high. Every child learns the violin in Form 3 and half the school learn at least one musical instrument. Many pupils play in our wind band or strings group. The Chapel Choir leads worship and travels further afield to sing in services, concerts and musical festivals. In recent years Smallwood musicians have performed at the Albert Hall, London, The Victoria Hall, Hanley and the Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Five Smallwood pupils have auditioned successfully for the National Children's Choir of Great Britain in recent years and the school is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music. Pupils are prepared for Associated Board Music Examinations and several music scholarships have been won to senior schools by our 11 year olds.

Sport

Sport is played three afternoons a week with weekly gym and swimming lessons. Boys and girls are coached to play competitive sport at U9, U10 and U11 level and the school has an excellent reputation for its sporting successes. In the Michaelmas Term the boys play rugby union while the girls play hockey. After Christmas in the Lent Term the boys switch to football, the girls to netball. Cricket is the main sporting activity for boys in the Trinity Term and rounders for girls; both boys and girls compete in track and field events culminating in an athletics sports day in June. The indoor heated swimming pool is used throughout the year. Pupils are encouraged to improve their personal best times and as well as inter house competitions, galas are held against other schools.

The curriculum is extended through a full programme of after school clubs which change termly and can include computing, art and craft, gardening, golf, badminton, gymnastics, pottery, drama, chess, tennis, table tennis, soccer, rugby, cricket, knitting and model making.

Chapel

Smallwood has its own modern school chapel set amongst the cedars, which provide such an inspirational view at its east end. The Headmaster is an ordained priest and as Chaplain has responsibility for worship in Chapel, Christian teaching and the pastoral care of the whole community. Smallwood is a Church of England school but welcomes families from other faiths or denominations or none. The R.E. curriculum, although largely Christian, centres on all that it means to be truly human and includes teaching about other world faiths and philosophies. The school is encouraged to support many local, national and international charities through annual charity days.

The school starts each day with prayers either in chapel or in department assemblies. Different year groups lead our thoughts in the Wednesday chapel assemblies. The main weekly service is the Eucharist when frequently there is a visiting preacher. Parents are always welcome in chapel, especially at our main services at Harvest, Christmas and Speech Day. Chapel worship is rarely dull - a rich variety of readings, drama sketches, musical contributions and art enliven the seasons of the Church year and help make the Christian message a faith to be lived out within the school community.

Visits

Several educational visits are planned each year including a residential PGL activity week for our Form 6 leavers and trips to France. In recent terms year groups have visited Sudbury Museum of Childhood, Tutbury Castle, Warwick Castle, the Space Centre in Leicester, the Sea Life Centre in Birmingham and the Iron Bridge Museum in Telford.

Food

The school cook lives on site and provides an excellent menu of home cooked casseroles, pasta and sauces, pizzas and pies. Organic lamb, pork and chicken are used and there is always a vegetarian option. The staff eat with the children en famille and a choice of fresh fruit or wholesome puddings are served daily. No sweets are allowed in school as a selection of healthy snacks, water, fruit juices, milk and hot chocolate are provided at break-time.

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