Inspiring, encouraging, nurturing, caring, busy, family, community, welcoming, fun, and joyous. These were just some of the words that our oldest pupils chose to describe Twickenham Prep earlier this term. That, I think, gives the sense of what our unique school is all about.
We are a co-educational Prep school with two classes in each year group – small enough so that everyone knows everyone else so that individual attention is assured but large enough to enable our pupils to access an extremely wide-ranging number of curricular and extra-curricular activities.
Our curriculum is wide-ranging and we have excellent facilities to support sports, art, computing, and music. Our pupils perform extremely well in obtaining places at the best secondary schools in the area. We are known on the national stage not only as national independent schools chess champions but also as national champions at MindLab - an innovative thinking skills program which all our pupils enjoy, from Reception to Year 8.We have a wonderful, positive, can-do approach in our school and we would love to welcome you to show you around, either at one of our termly open morning events or for a personal tour.
We know that choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions any parent has to make. We invite you to visit us at either our Open Day in May or our termly Pre-Prep Open Mornings.
We are very proud of our Pre-Prep. There is a wonderful, friendly, and purposeful atmosphere that pervades our modern, purpose-built learning environment. There are six classrooms and a well-stocked library in a light, airy and spacious building. This was referred to in our last inspection report in glowing terms.
There are six classes in the Pre-Prep department – two Reception, two Year 1, two Year 2.We aim for classes of no more than 20. There is a teaching assistant for each of the Reception classes. Year 1 and Year 2 have a teaching assistant each of who is shared between the two classes.
In Year 3 pupils progress to the charm of the old Beveree building where they can experience the delights of well-equipped subject rooms including a fully networked Computing room and a professionally designed and purpose-built Science laboratory. Our Music and Art & Design facilities, built-in 2012, provide an outstanding addition to our learning facilities. All of our subject rooms have been refurbished with new furniture and ICT facilities to represent the best of modern education practice in our delightfully historical building.
Staff in the Prepare well qualified, highly motivated and enthusiastic about their subjects and their teaching. This means that TPS pupils are encouraged to develop their self-confidence and respect for others in a positive working environment.
We are particularly proud of our all-inclusive approach to sports, plays, and music. All pupils take some part in school productions and concerts, and by regularly running B and even C teams everyone has the opportunity to represent TPS in sports fixtures at some time during the season, whatever their ability.
Our Year 7 and Year 8 boys benefit from an additional two years at the school where they are taught in small groups to ensure excellent academic development in a wide variety of subject areas, taught by specialist teachers. This ensures the continuation of success at Common Entrance to the most academic, selective schools in the area.
Pastoral care is an important element of our program with mixed Year 7-8 tutor groups and many opportunities to develop leadership skills and take responsibility in a wide variety of areas and activities. There is also an emphasis on sport with at least two Games afternoons each week and the opportunity for all boys to represent the school in the major sports of football, rugby, and cricket but also the opportunity to develop skills in activities such as basketball, squash, and fitness training.
The Year 7-8 program is carefully planned to ensure a balance between academic success and extra-curricular opportunities, including a Mandarin experience and a hands-on course developing business and team skills.
Twickenham Preparatory School was founded by a small group of parents in a church hall next to Twickenham Green in 1969. That small group wanted to establish a school that was pastoral, caring, and sensitive to the needs of the individual child. Their founding aim is still the heart-beat of our school. Twickenham Preparatory School seeks to create a safe, caring, and happy Christian environment in which all pupils are valued and thrive personally, socially, and academically.
