What is a prep school?

Preparatory or ‘prep’ schools are independent fee paying primary schools, traditionally the term "preparatory school" is used as it prepares the children for the entrance examination for independent secondary schools and the 11+. Most prep schools are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) www.isi.net, which is overseen by Ofsted on behalf of the Department for Education.

At Forest Prep we educate children from ages 2 to 11 years. Our aim goes beyond preparing children for examinations. As a non-academically selective school, our intention is to find the ‘right’ secondary school for your child and to get the best out of each child, whether this be in Sport, Music, Art or academia! Here at Forest, all talents are nurtured in a happy but well-disciplined environment.  

Class Sizes

Prep schools tend to boast smaller class sizes. Children benefit from more individual time and attention from teachers and teaching assistants, who can better assess a child's progress and tailor their learning accordingly. Teachers can also build an in-depth understanding of each child and know the strengths, weaknesses, and needs of each pupil. 

At Forest Prep, we have a ratio of 1 adult to 12 children , with the exception of Nursery where the ratio is even lower. 

Extracurricular Opportunities

The educational experience at preparatory schools is enriched by the wide range of extracurricular opportunities available to pupils.  A breadth of activities and initiatives is a key advantage because it provides children with a more well rounded education and broadened perspective. Pupils are able to discover and nurture new skills and interests, whilst building confidence, responsibility and valuable soft skills. They also develop strong friendships, have fun and improve their wellbeing.

At our school we offer:

Weekly swimming lessons from Year 1 upwards

Residential trips in Year 2, Year 5 and Year 6

Extra-curricular clubs, which run after school, ranging from Science to Archery to Spanish and to Yoga. See our current offering here www.forestschool.co.uk/extra-curricular/clubs-and-activities

Head Boy and Head Girl in Year 6, plus each pupil is assigned their own specific role such as Music Captain, Football Captain, etc. This helps the children develop leadership and ownership skills. 

All children from Reception to Year 6 are assigned to a ‘house’. There are four different houses, with siblings always being placed in the same house. House meetings take place every half-term, which involves children of all year groups working collaboratively together towards a common goal. Working with children from different year groups provides the opportunity for friendships to develop throughout the school, harnessing the family feel that we are proud of at Forest.