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 Academic Structure
| School Department |
Ages |
NC Year |
| First Steps |
2 to 4 year |
Pre-Nursery / Nursery |
| Pre-Prep Department |
4 to 7 years |
Reception to Year 2 |
| Lower Prep Department |
7 to 9 years |
Year 3 & Year 4 |
| Middle Prep Department |
9 to 11 years |
Year 5 & Year 6 |
| Upper Prep Department |
11 to 13 years |
Year 7 & Year 8 |
- Year 3 and Year 4.
It is a significant step from the Pre-Prep Department to the Junior Prep Department. Pupils are encouraged to begin to take more responsibility for personal organisation - to look after their own belongings, to find their way around the school and be ready for lessons.
Pupils in Year 3 and Year 4 are taught in a form setting, mostly by one teacher who oversees their overall progress. However, pupils have access to specialist teaching provision in some subjects, such as French, Physical Education and Music.
Pupils in Year 3 and Year 4 also begin to mix with the older children - in the dining room, on the playground and in the changing rooms. In all these situations, pupils are carefully supervised.
The form teacher is there to support pupils and to oversee all aspects of pastoral care and academic progress.
Pupils in Year 3 are currently taught in 3 mixed ability forms with setting for Maths. Year 3 pupils are taught in mixed ability groups but are also set for some of their Maths. Specialist support through the Learning Success Department is also available for those pupils who may have a specific learning difficulty at some point in their development.
- Year 5 and Year 6.
- Year 5 is an important year as it is a transitional year between the security of form-based teaching and the demands that Year 6 brings.
It can be exciting, but at the same time, challenging. It is a year of opportunity as well as responsibility.
Pupils are introduced to some specialist teachers and are expected to move around more, but one teacher, their form master or mistress, will usually still teach a core of their subjects.
The form master/mistress is there to support pupils and oversee all aspects of pastoral care and academic progress, as well as to help them to adjust to the new demands that a specialist taught curriculum brings. In Year 5, pupils are streamed for the first time.
It is usual to divide pupils into one or two higher ability groups and two mixed ability groups. This ensures that the curriculum provided, as well as the style of teaching, is appropriate to the needs and abilities of all pupils.
Specialist support through the Learning Success department is also available for those pupils who may have a specific learning difficulty, at some point in their development.
 Year 7 and Year 8.
- In Year 7, pupils are placed in one of 4 forms, based on their academic ability. A wider curriculum is introduced and pupils have lessons timetabled on Saturday mornings for the first time.
Pupils have the opportunity to take Drama and ICT at different stages during the year. All pupils take Latin in Year 7.
The ‘A’ streams continue the subject in Year 8, whilst the mixed-ability forms have additional English, Maths and ICT lessons.
Pupils are separately setted for Maths and French according to their ability in these subjects. This ensures that the curriculum provided, as well as the style of teaching, is appropriate to the needs and abilities of all pupils.
Specialist support through the Learning Success department is also available for those pupils who may have a specific learning difficulty, at some point in their development.
- Parents are always encouraged to come and discuss any problems or concerns about their child’s education at Taunton Prep School.
The first point of contact is the House Master/Mistress or House Tutor.
However, parents may make an appointment to see the Headmaster through his Secretary, Mrs S Turner (tel: 01823 349291).
Parents should not hesitate to contact the School if
they have anything they would like to discuss. (01823 349250)
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