Ages four to seven are a very formative period for your child and Copthorne life is like no other. Days are filled with learning, fun, creativity and laughter. Pre-Prep days buzz with happiness, excitement and a quest to discover not only the world around, but also the strengths and characters that lie within. The pre-prep is next to the Nursery and just down the path from the prep school, in a self-contained area with its own playground, two big climbing frames and one of the biggest sandpits in the area. Your child will also use the main school facilities including the chapel, the dining room and theatre, all weather pitch, the sports hall, swimming pool, woods and the extensive playing fields. We offer a broad and exciting curriculum for the liveliest and most enquiring minds. We place great emphasis on learning to read and thinking mathematically and scientifically – language, maths and science are core subjects. Your child will also be introduced to history, geography, religious education, French, art and crafts, information technology, outdoor learning, music and physical education. To find out more or to see us in action, please visit us at an upcoming visitor event. Early Years Foundation Stage Learning unfolds in our Reception class, led by an experienced teacher and underpinned by the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. This ensures that every pupil’s learning, development and care meet nationally recognised standards while our tailored curriculum continues to cater to the unique needs of each class, prioritising what’s best for the child and understanding their optimal learning approach. While most time is spent with their class teacher, subjects such as MFL, Sport, Music and Outdoor Learning are taught by specialists. The Copthorne Way, promoting values like kindness and responsibility, is woven into our curriculum and guides behaviour. Pupils actively participate in whole-school assemblies, and parents—integral to their child’s education—regularly receive shared-work updates and are invited into the school. Children explore their interests in a classroom environment reflecting their needs, accessing resources both inside and outside, including our expansive outdoor area. At the heart of our approach is placing the child at the centre of learning, embracing the unpredictability and inspiration each day brings. This child-centric focus aligns with how young learners thrive best. Real learning is evident when a child is fully engaged, exhibiting creativity and energy, showcasing the magic of the Early Years. Our goal is to give pupils the best possible start by following the EYFS framework and fostering a love of learning and curiosity during these precious childhood years. The Reception year promises a magical journey filled with joy and laughter; children grow and develop significantly. By the end of the year, they emerge as reading, writing, adding and subtracting experts—equipped with confidence and a circle of friends, ready for the transition into Year One. A typical day in the pre-prep Your child will have an action-packed and exciting day in the Pre-Prep, with the core hours running from registration at 8.25am to 3.30pm when lessons finish. After school clubs and wraparound care extend the day from 7.30 am to 6pm in a ‘home from home’ environment. 7.30amEarly Birds club (optional, chargeable)8.00am – 8.25amArrive at school8.25amRegistration8.30amLessons10.30amBreak and snack11.00amLessons12.00pmLunch1.00pmLessons3.30pmEnd of school day. Clubs and activities begin (optional, some are chargeable), wraparound care begins (optional, chargeable)5.20pmPacked tea (optional, chargeable)6.00pmSchool closes Pre-prep curriculum We are an ambitious and nurturing community, which puts wellbeing, innovation, learning to learn and breadth at the heart of our pupil experience. We encourage and enable achievement for all which is reflected in the curriculum your child will follow in the Pre-Prep. Your child will experience an exciting and engaging curriculum which encourages a love of learning, good learning habits and lays comprehensive and solid foundations for the years to come. An emphasis on reading and writing An emphasis on reading and writing Reading is powerful, and stories open up the world. It builds imagination, empathy, brings comfort, fun and happiness and shows life in a different world. Our English lessons focus on the power of reading because it is through powerful literature that your child will build vocabulary, understanding and be motivated to write with imagination and compassion. Maths Maths Maths Our approach to maths is hands-on. Using popular “maths is everywhere” activities we build mathematicians who have a real understanding of numbers. Our goal is to develop robust problem solving and reasoning skills, keeping you informed about your child’s progress with clear next steps. We inject fun into practising our instant recall facts – be warned, the competition with our online maths games is extreme! Science Science Science Science celebrates the innate curiosity of children. Our science lessons focus on finding out how things work with an emphasis on developing observation and thinking skills. Children learn best by doing and your child will love the science experiments and exciting activities we set up for their learning. A topic-based approach to humanities A topic-based approach to humanities A topic-based approach to humanities Imagine arriving at school to find a penguin that is lost! Such scenarios instantly stimulate your child’s imagination and give them a reason to research the polar regions to discover what that penguin needs to survive. A topic-based approach encourages collaboration, teamwork and creates a vibrant learning environment, in which your child starts to make connections. The arts The arts The arts We find that linking the arts to our humanities work increases enthusiasm and creativity. By looking at the art of a famous artist your child learns the value of learning from others and responding thoughtfully to friends’ work and encouraging others. Making music together – whether singing, music or recorder lessons – further promotes a love of the arts. Religious studies Religious studies Religious studies An important part of learning is how we relate to others. We are a diverse school and celebrate our differences by learning about many religions. In this way, we enhance your child’s understanding of others and of how best to show respect. We also value the time to learn about ourselves, our physical and mental health and how to relate to others. Each week your child will focus on communication skills and how to work successfully with others. Outdoor learning Outdoor learning Outdoor learning A big part of outdoor learning is instilling a sense of responsibility for the environment and sustainability, discussing how we look after the natural world around us through recycling, use of plastics, saving energy, collecting water, etc. Your child will explore nature, learn about trees, follow the seasons, understand plant growth, explore minibeasts and find big puddles to jump in. An emphasis on reading and writing Pre-prep wider curriculum Alongside the curriculum, we bring learning to life and build confidence through a range of experiences and opportunities: Visits to local places of interest extend topic work and broaden your child’s educational experience Visitors provide alternative forms of learning – there’s nothing like a travelling theatre group to bring fresh understanding of the Great Fire of London Performing and expressive arts build confidence and creativity: art club, street dance, band, LAMDA speech and drama lessons, learning a musical instrument (usually from Year 2) Tuition in chess develops problem solving, thinking and planning. Your child could join our hugely successful chess squad, with children representing the England national team, Sussex teams and matches against other schools. Pre-prep extra curriculum This is the time in your child’s life to explore, try out different things and unearth their passions. Our wide ranging extra-curricular programme allows your child to broaden their skills and knowledge in a safe and inspiring environment. The list of after school clubs changes regularly. Across the week your child might try: Gardening Water confidence and swimming fun in the school pool French songs and vocabulary lessons Ballet and street dance with Inspire Academy of Dance Music with Mini Notes Football and multi-sports with Tiny Tekkers Spanish lessons STEM Tennis with Tom Usborne Art Taekwondo Gymnastics Come and experience for yourself what makes a Copthorne education unique. We would love to welcome you our School at an upcoming visitor morning or private tour. Book your visit