A FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG LEARNING
Pre-Prep at Cundall
At Cundall, our Pre-Prep Department offers a nurturing and stimulating introduction to school, all within a safe and picturesque rural setting. From the Early Years Foundation Stage (Nursery & Reception) through to Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2), we provide an inspiring environment where children are supported to explore, grow and thrive.
Cundall Pre-Prep is a truly happy place — full of energetic, confident and kind young learners, eager to discover the world around them and take their first steps in education with joy and curiosity.
EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE
Reception
Reception marks the beginning of each child’s educational journey. Our experienced and caring staff ensure a smooth transition into the school setting, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere where children feel secure and supported.
Our two purpose-built Reception classrooms are thoughtfully designed to promote curiosity and creativity through a diverse range of activities. With a dedicated outdoor learning area and access to nature-based experiences in our orchard and meadow, children enjoy both structured teaching and exploratory play every day in our expansive grounds. Learning takes place indoors and outdoors, rain or shine.
A weekly session in the Wild Acre Wood provides a wonderful Forest School experience, with the children getting close to nature.
SPECIALIST SUBJECTS RIGHT FROM THE START
Dynamic Teaching
Reception pupils benefit from small class sizes and specialist instruction in Music, Singing, French, Tennis and Swimming.
To further enhance their topic learning, we often take the children on outings to local places of interest. Reception attends Pre-Prep assemblies and occasional whole-school assemblies and gatherings as part of the wider school community and it is lovely to see them enjoying interacting with the older children.
Our small class sizes enable children to receive individual attention and each child is valued and respected as being special. We foster positive relationships between home and school by welcoming parents in and having the staff available each day to discuss news, welfare or education. Organisational skills are encouraged so that children undertake personal responsibility and independence.
KEY STAGE 1
Years 1 & 2
In Years 1 and 2, we build on the strong foundations laid in Reception. Children enjoy a broad, balanced curriculum designed to inspire a love of learning and develop key academic, social and emotional skills.
Our aim is to help each child grow in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Praise and positive reinforcement encourage confidence and appropriate behaviour. Pupils learn in small classes, led by highly qualified teachers and excellent support staff. All pupils are taught core subjects — Literacy, Numeracy and Science — alongside a range of foundation subjects. Specialist lessons in Spanish, Music, Art, Swimming and Tennis add further variety to the weekly timetable.
Every Pre-Prep child has access to their own Chromebook, supporting early digital literacy through timetabled ICT lessons.
A structured timetable brings consistency to each day, while regular visits to the Wild Acre Wood allow for outdoor learning and exploration. Lessons take place in our dedicated Pre-Prep spaces, with some activities held in the main school. Topic-based school trips enrich learning throughout the year.
Pupils in Years 1 and 2 swim twice a week in our heated pool and take part in popular whole-school events like the Fun Run, Chocolate Cake Race and Sports Day.
WRAP AROUND CARE
Enrichment and Extended Care
A wide array of after-school activities runs daily from 3:20–4:00pm. After-school clubs include activities such as Dancing, Bushcraft, Drama, Ball skills, Construction, Mindfulness, Yoga, STEM Challenges and Sports Club. Additional optional activities are also arranged for Saturday mornings between 9.30am and 12.30pm. These activities include a sporting session, either swimming or ball skills/football on the school fields, followed by a craft or cookery session. Saturday Mornings are booked via the parent portal by the Wednesday before that Saturday. The wide variety of activities on offer through our Enrichment programme are designed to ensure all pupils have the opportunity to try their hand at or develop skills beyond the normal academic, artistic and sporting curriculum.
Our After School Club operates from 4:00–6:00pm and is free of charge. Held in our Pre-Prep buildings, this provision offers a calm end to the day with a light sandwich snack served at 4:45pm. We also provide a Breakfast Club from 7:30am and an Early Drop-Off option from 8:15am, offering flexible care to suit busy family schedules.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Trips and Social Events
Life at Cundall Pre-Prep is full of memorable experiences. From Harvest Festival and the Nativity to seasonal theme days and regular school trips, each term brings new opportunities for learning and celebration.
Every term includes two off-site visits, enriching the curriculum and connecting learning to the wider world. Year 2 pupils enjoy a special Summer Term trip, paired with Year 3 buddies to help ease their transition to the next stage of school life.They also have the opportunity to join the whole school beach day to Beadnell Sands and the winning House trip.
Our Year 2 children feel happy, confident and ready to join Year 3 once they leave Pre-Prep.
Swimming
Swimming is taught once a week from Reception age in our heated 20-metre pool, with optional enrichment sessions available to increase this to twice a week.
Freshly Prepared Food
Table manners and etiquette are encouraged daily in the dining hall, where pupils enjoy healthy, freshly prepared meals made by our chefs.
Extensive Grounds
Our 28-acre rural site offers space to play, explore and learn—fostering adventure, wellbeing and a love of the outdoors.
1:1 Tuition
Private Music, LAMDA, and Tennis lessons are available from Reception onwards.
Discover the Difference a Cundall Pre-Prep Education Can Make
Our purpose is to provide a happy, safe and stimulating environment where all pupils are valued and achievements are celebrated. With small class sizes, personalised support, and expert teaching across a broad curriculum, each child is empowered to reach their full potential.