Prep: Age 7-13 Pupil Login | Parent Login Staff Login | Inspector Login HOME ABOUT US ADMISSIONS NEWS & EVENTS PTA STAFF VACANCIES CONTACT US READ OUR 'OUTSTANDING' INSPECTION REPORT DOWNLOAD OUR PROSPECTUS VIEW OUR HEADMASTER'S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER VIEW OUR CALENDAR AND TERM DATES HOME ABOUT US PREP: AGE 7-13 PREP: AGE 7-13 Welcome to the Prep Department Children in Years 3-8 need the opportunity to experience a wide variety of academic, practical and physical activities so that they can develop an extensive range of skills and discover where their talents lie. In the Prep Department, generous amounts of time are given over to physical and practical activities, whilst also ensuring that high standards are maintained in academic subjects. Our Year 3 pupils continue to receive much of their education from their form teacher, as this provides an important supportive environment, but they benefit from the expertise of specialist subject teachers in French, DT, ICT, Music, PE and Games. From Year 5, pupils receive all of their education from specialist subject teachers. In order to continue to provide an appropriate level of pastoral care, pupils are assigned to small Tutor Groups, where they remain with the same tutor for the duration of their time at Town Close. Many of our subject curriculums are designed around the QCA Schemes of Work and the ISEB syllabus. The QCA schemes of work are published by the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency to support the National Curriculum. Town Close School, in common with all independent schools, is not obliged to follow these schemes, but we use them when we feel it is appropriate to do so. On entering Year 7, pupils start to follow the Common Entrance (CE) Syllabus for most subjects. They are assessed through exams at the end of Year 8, which serve as entrance exams for most of the wide variety of schools that pupils move on once their time at Town Close School is over. In recent years pupils have moved on to boarding schools including Culford, Eton, Framlingham College, Gresham’s, Oundle, Uppingham and Wymondham College. Others move on to day schools such as Norwich School, Norwich High School and Langley. Many of these schools offer academic scholarships and so a small extra stream is included in Years 7 and 8 for subjects, enabling us to provide the high level of focussed teaching needed for pupils to tackle these demanding entrance exams proficiently. Internal school exams are also set twice a year, helping pupils to gain sufficient experience to cope with the Common Entrance subject exams. Parents receive a detailed report twice a year and are also invited to a consultation evening. Effort grades are sent twice a term; whilst necessarily subjective, they are important as they give an indication of a child’s attitude to their studies. In the long term, attitude is more important than any other measure of attainment during a pupil’s school career. Town Close School is characterised by an understanding of this and beyond the details of the organisation of the curriculum, is dedicated to promoting a positive approach to learning along with the associated skills of perseverance, concentration, independent thinking and study skills. IN THIS SECTION ETHOS / AIMS PRE-PREP: AGE 3-7 PREP: AGE 7-13 Art Design and Technology Drama English French Games Geography History Computing Latin Mathematics Music Physical Education (PE) Religious Studies (RS) Science EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES FACILITIES INSPECTION REPORT REGULATORY INFORMATION ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND SCHOLARSHIPS STAFF / GOVERNORS ACTIVATE HOLIDAY PROGRAMME HOME Calendar / Term Dates End of Term Letter - 12/07/13 Headmaster's Weekly Newsletters ABOUT Ethos / Aims Pre-Prep: Age 3-7 Prep: Age 7-13 Extra-Curricular Activities Facilities Inspection Report Regulatory Information Academic Performance and Scholarships Staff / Governors Activate Holiday Programme ADMISSIONS Apply Fees and Payments Visits and Open Mornings Prospectus NEWS & EVENTS Pre-Prep Prep Academic Performance Charity Trips and Excursions Sports and Outdoors PTA PTA Meet the PTA PTA Purchases Forthcoming PTA Events PTA News and Events STAFF VACANCIES CONTACT Directions Map © Town Close House Co-Educational Preparatory School | 14 Ipswich Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 2LR | Tel: 01603 620 180 | Terms | Privacy | Sitemap Town Close House Educational Trust Ltd | Registered Charity No. 311293 | Registered Company No. 940118 Created by The Point