It is in Nursery and Pre-Prep that the gaps are widest between children who have birthdays at the beginning or end of the academic year. Children who start school in September already five have had a quarter of a lifetime of experience more than those who will not be five until the following August. Add in differences in ability, development and attitude to the mix and it is clear that no two children are the same when starting school.
Our high adult/child ratio enables us to recognise these needs and offer a well differentiated curriculum to our pupils. Children with specific requirements, and these are the particularly gifted pupils as well as those who are making slower progress, are accommodated through specific programmes designed to fit their needs. Several of the staff have additional qualifications in assessing and teaching children with Specific Learning Difficulties and children are also supported on site where necessary by a speech therapist and an occupational therapist who work closely with the department.