WONDER Years 4 – 6

Welcome to Holmwood House Prep School Years 4-6

A letter from Mr Cook, Head of Holmwood House Prep.

It is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to Years 4,5 and 6 of our Prep School. We aim to develop in our pupils the key foundational knowledge they need to think, question and take on the challenges of life. This stems from our philosophy that a great education is founded on knowledge, but achieved through generating confidence and curiosity, and taking joy in the process of learning itself.

As children progress through Holmwood House, their educational journey is carefully designed to build upon their earlier learning, fostering a natural development towards greater independence and ownership.Years 4 and 5 have form teachers, but have more specialist teaching including for Maths, English, Science and Languages. By Year 6 all subjects are taught by secondary trained specialists, so that pupils gain the full benefits of each teacher’s individual expertise. Our differentiated and supported approach enables each individual to progress at the appropriate level.

From Year 4, pupils have the opportunity to extend their school day, engaging in a wider array of activities and experiences. They also have the opportunity to participate in Overnight Stays if they want to. This gradual increase in responsibility and exposure to diverse opportunities not only enriches their present learning but also effectively prepares them for the next exciting stage of their educational journey at senior school, equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive.

The pastoral system is based around the celebration of pupils’ successes, and the support and guidance they receive is second to none. Your child will also be responsible for wearing, looking after and being proud of their Holmwood House blazer – something that many pupils see as a rite of passage into the middle section of the school.

I look forward to working closely with you to ensure the best possible all-round learning experience over these important years in your child’s development.

Mr E C Cook
Head of Prep

Our Curriculum Philosophy

At Holmwood House our curriculum philosophy is underpinned by the premise that learning which blends excitement and challenge is integral to developing intrinsically motivated, confident and engaged children who have a growing curiosity and understanding of the world around them. Our intention is to equip our pupils to be resilient, effective communicators who ask questions about their learning, who are collaborative and reflective and who think critically for themselves and solve problems. Our curriculum provides opportunities for ownership, creativity and leadership with the purpose of building essential, transferable core skills through challenging and immersive learning.

Our WONDER Approach for the Prep Years

In Years 4, 5, and 6, at the heart of this learning, is the further development of essential English skills. We achieve this through literature-rich lessons, linked to our curriculum areas of study with opportunities for writing in context and centered around high-quality texts. We carefully interweave this with a Global Studies, PSHCE, Art and Technology approach to our curriculum, bringing as much of the learning back to meaningful and relevant experiences that our pupils can relate to in their own lives, whilst consolidating their understanding of what it is to be a global citizen and refining the important skills and knowledge for each individual subject. In line with this, we aim to develop their spiritual awareness creating opportunities for awe and wonder that extend widely. This will consolidate their understanding of what it is to be a scientist, geographer, historian, artist, and designer—all to prepare them for their journey to KS3 level.

Maths is still taught discretely, although connected where appropriate so that children can see the value of their learning and the exciting opportunities that maths in real-life contexts can provide. All of our topics begin with a ‘Learning Launch’ which could be a debate, question, trip, or visiting speaker. We aim to finish each learning focus with a ‘Learning Review’ where we analyse, evaluate, and reflect.

Beyond the classroom

The children in our Prep school have exposure to a vibrant and diverse range of extracurricular activities designed to enrich pupils’ learning and personal development beyond the classroom. From sports such as rugby, football, netball hockey, and swimming to creative pursuits including music, drama, and art, pupils are encouraged to explore their talents and interests in a supportive environment. The school also provides opportunities for outdoor education, shooting clubs, coding clubs, and various academic enrichment activities that foster teamwork, resilience, and curiosity. This broad programme helps pupils develop confidence, independence and discover new passions, and build lasting friendships.