Preparatory Department - Preparing for Senior School life.

Preparatory Department (7 to 11 years)

The boys leave Hilden Oaks at the end of Key Stage 1 and the girls progress from this point in the single stream classes of the Preparatory Department. Where year-group numbers are larger, the girls are split into smaller groups for teaching. All Key Stage 2 pupils have bright, airy classrooms located in the recently built Salmon Building where they have easy access to Science, Art and ICT facilities.

In years 3 to 6 the strong foundations laid by the Pre-School and Pre-Prep departments are built upon and the girls follow an enhanced National Curriculum which helps in the preparation for the selection procedure to State Schools at 11+ and for Common Entrance to Independent Schools. In Key Stage 2, specialist teaching in French, games, music, swimming and ICT is continued, and specialist science and art teaching is added to the curriculum. This ensures a greater depth of knowledge and further enriches the educational experience of the girls.

The emphasis in the Preparatory Department is on helping the girls prepare academically, emotionally and socially for Senior School life. They are encouraged to be independent, organised, thoughtful and to have confidence in their own abilities. Year 6 play an integral part in the social development of the other children in the school. In their role as Monitors and peer mentors they support and encourage the younger children and are vital role models to them. As Librarians, the girls help our Librarian to ensure the smooth running of our well-stocked Library and give freely of their break times to ensure that this facility is at its best at all times. Everybody in the Preparatory Department is given the opportunity to represent the School on the sports field. Matches against other schools are held regularly and much enjoyed by all participants.

Academic Bursaries for Entry to Year 3 (September 2008 Entry)

The Trustees of Hilden Oaks School wish to encourage girls age 7 (National Curriculum Year 3) with high academic potential to attend the school. To this end, a limited number of means-tested Academic Bursaries will be offered to girls whose parents would not otherwise be able to afford the full cost of school fees. The deadline for submission of applications for girls entering Year 3 in September 2008 has now passed and the selection process for this now taking place. Parents interested in this scheme for girls entering Year 3 in September 2009 should, in the first instance, contact the school office. The application process will start in the Spring of 2009.