The Preparatory Department is in 'The Old School' with a host of impressive new facilities. The Balfour hall hosts many of the school's major events and includes gymnastics equipment and wonderful seating and staging as well as an impressive sound and lighting system.
The four classes of 7-11 year olds have their own Science laboratory, Study, Music Room, Practice rooms, Library, Gym and Art Room and pottery kiln.
The I.T. facilities are particularly impressive. There are twenty four networked PC's, with printers, scanner and digital cameras which the girls use on a daily basis. Each classroom is also equipped with a networked laptop and interactive whiteboard. A touch-typing course is taught early to all pupils to enable them to get the most from their computers.
Each class has its own form teacher with subjects being taught by specialists from Prep 2 onwards. Every classroom has its own library and girls are encouraged to read quietly for 15 minutes each day. Teaching builds on and expands the basic skills acquired in Pre-prep. More advanced science teaching are incorporated into the curriculum and, as well as the weekly French, spelling and arithmetic tests, the pupils are introduced the concept of formal examinations.
The full curriculum in the Preparatory Department includes English, in all its forms, Mathematics, History, Geography, Sciences, I.T., R.E., French, Music, Art, Craft, Needlework, Cookery, Woodwork, Drama, Sport and Physical Education. At this stage of education it is important that each girl is given individual attention. This not only helps her to discover and develop her personal strengths, but also to uncover any areas of weakness. Once those strengths and weaknesses are recognised then 'small group', or even 'one-to-one' tuition is available both for enrichment of the academically able and for remedial help for any girl experiencing difficulties.