With close co-operation and communication between Years 2 and 3, the move to Upper School is smooth and untroubled. The hard working and caring ethos, established in Lower School, is carefully nurtured into the transition to the junior department. Children build upon the strong foundations of mathematics and English, as well as further investigating an ever widening curriculum, including Verbal/Non Verbal Reasoning which coincides with a greater expectation of homework.
The children continue to develop their individuality and are encouraged to explore every avenue and opportunity that is presented to them. Ever increasing independence of thought and action, good manners and respect for each other is expected from all of our children as they grow and progress at Forest Preparatory School.
All pupils are encouraged to reach their highest potential and are fully prepared for all independent school and grammar school examinations. Forest Preparatory School prides itself on the outstanding results achieved to date and we give the children every opportunity to prepare for life in their chosen route of further education, safe in the knowledge that they leave us well equipped for the challenges that lie ahead.
Visit to find out how we prepare pupils for moving on to a wide variety of secondary schools.
In Year 3 the children study topics including MS Word text manipulation, using graphics and data bases.
In Year 4 topics covered include using the internet for research and safely using email. There is also a cross curricular project on the topic of "The Tudors".
During Year 5, amongst topics covered in this year, pupils learn to use MS Publisher and how to use MS Excel for calculations and producing graphs.
During Year 6 pupils learn to use MS Power Point. They also produce posters and leaflets. There is a cross curricular project on "World War 2".
Parents are encouraged to view our Parents' Guides which includes valuable information in relation to ICT. Click the links below:
A Parents' Guide to Cyberbullying A Parents' Guide to Snapchat
In the Upper School, pupils build on their language skills. The focus is still on fun and oral activities but they now begin to recognise the written word and are able to write simple sentences.
As we progress through the year groups from Year 3 to Year 4, we engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and give information. We move onto speaking in sentences while using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures. Topics include birthday vocabulary, asking how someone is feeling, family members, classroom commands and pets. One of my aims is that the children use familiar words and phrases to develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand them when they are speaking or reading aloud.
In Year 5 and Year 6 we move on to presenting ideas and information orally and to read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing. We can then start to write simple phrases with understanding of basic grammar: feminine, masculine and key features and patterns of the language. Topics include telling the time, naming buildings in town, giving directions, describing yourself and others; giving opinions on food and clothes as well as hobbies.
Music plays a very important part in the curriculum at Forest. All children, from Nursery to Year 6, enjoy Music lessons each week with Ms Wellings, the school's specialist Director of Music.
In Upper School, the focus is on broadening the pupils’ awareness of music in different genres, through the dimensions of Listening, Composing and Performing. We use the knowledge and skills gained in Lower School and extend them in different ways and in various contexts.
Singing is one aspect of Music that all Forest students especially enjoy. Songs are an integral part of all music lessons and are used to entertain, educate and encourage the children. Pupils sing regularly in class, at assemblies and in the playground as well!
In addition, there are three choirs:
Greenhouse Choir – for budding choristers in Years 2 and 3 (rehearsals for 15 minutes at break time once a week;
Main Forest Choir – for all interested pupils from Years 4 to 6 (rehearsals for 30 minutes at lunch time once a week, with additional rehearsals leading up to Christmas);
Forest Chamber Choir – an auditioned choir of just 12-15 members from Years 4 to 6 (rehearsals for 30 minutes once a week).
Forest pupils have sung at Manchester Cathedral, AO Arena, Stoller Hall, Trafford Centre, the Heaton Mersey, Alderley Edge and Altrincham Schools Festivals and many other local venues; we are very proud of their achievements and successes!
Each year, Upper School classes collaborate to perform a Summer Show, with Year 6 in the leading roles and Years 3-5 making up the chorus. This is an invaluable opportunity for the children to work as a team towards a shared goal, to practise together to achieve excellence and have a lot of fun and camaraderie along the way. It is undoubtedly a highlight of the Upper School calendar.
Upper School is where peripatetic lessons continue - we offer tuition with specialist teachers in piano, singing, violin, trumpet/cornet, guitar and drums. We are proud that enrolment in peripatetic music has increased year on year, and we now have over 45% of Year 1-6 pupils learning an instrument/singing. Pupils are expected to practise each day and to be diligent and enthusiastic about their progress. They have the opportunity to perform at assemblies and informal concerts throughout the school year, as well as at more formal school events. With guidance from their teacher, children can sit examinations with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Trinity College of Music and/or the Music Teachers’ Board. Instrumentalists can join our Brass and String Ensembles when ready as well.
We have a strong relationship with the other Bellevue North schools and take part in various joint activities. The Bellevue Northern Music Festival is held at the Stoller Hall in alternate years and features musicians from Forest, Forest Park, Brabyns and Edenhurst Preparatory Schools. This provides a wonderful opportunity for shared music-making, showcasing our pupils’ talents in a world-class venue.
Parents can keep up to date with the latest Music news by following our dedicated Music Instagram feed @forestprep_music
As children enter Upper School, they have a weekly PE lesson focused on skill development, along with a 90-minute Games lesson where they transfer these skills into competitive team sports. These Games lessons are held at Timperley Sports Club, which offers state-of-the-art sports facilities.
The children are introduced to an even wider range of sports, including hockey, tennis, orienteering, athletics, rounders, cricket, tag rugby, football, lacrosse, baseball, dodgeball, and more. In Years 5 and 6, netball is added to their Games lessons.
When children reach Year 4, they have the opportunity to compete in various sports competitions against other schools regionally and sometimes nationally in ISA tournaments.
Our Upper School artists also enjoy a rich, diverse, challenging and engaging art curriculum. Pupils will learn a wide range of skills and techniques designed to inspire and nurture their creative and critical thinking, problem solving, innovation and visual literacy. Pupils are given a wide range of opportunities to experience ; investigating architecture, sculpture, protest art, typography and graphic design amongst many others. Our pupils explore how art is relevant to all of our lives, connecting us to the past, embracing the present and shaping our futures.
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