We are largely an ‘unplugged’ school, you won't see our children (or staff!) walking around with mobile phones because we believe that education is about learning all of the essential skills needed to communicate successfully with those alongside us and build a strong sense of self-belief. Computers and ICT are seen as a vital component of Hazlegrove education but never as an end in themselves.
Nurturing the Whole Child
The Prep School, for Years 3 to 8, offers an enriching, all-round education where the rigours of the curriculum sit alongside the values and ethos that underpin life at Hazlegrove. We want our pupils to embrace the school values of kindness, respect, integrity, grace, generosity and courage.
A vibrant and creative curriculum, exceptional pastoral care and stunning rural Somerset location combine to make children feel nurtured, motivated, inspired and encouraged to love learning for life.
It's all about the ‘Three Cs’ at Hazlegrove! Hazlegrovians are curious, creative and confident when they leave us at the end of Year 8, keen to make the most of all of the opportunities on offer to them.
The Prep Curriculum
The curriculum has a real, hands-on sense to it, where children participate fully and are not just spectators. We are passionate about developing in the children, genuine awe, wonder and curiosity at the complexities of life and the world about us - past, present and future.
The breadth and balance in the curriculum give pupils an opportunity to get excited about the lessons they have each day. Activity and investigation enable pupils to learn to think for themselves and to solve problems. We hope that they can begin to see that failure and getting it wrong are just as important as getting it right.
Preparing for the Next Phase
The heart of prep school education is expressed in one word, preparatory. The curriculum at Hazlegrove prepares children for the next phases of their lives, for the demands of a more specialised senior education and, in the longer term, to be able to meet the challenges of the workplace and to thrive in their personal and professional lives, understanding their responsibilities in making the world a better place. In Year 4, pupils join the rest of the Prep School in attending school on Saturday mornings from which the children benefit in a myriad of ways; whether it be the space this creates over the course of a week to explore topics and interests to the pressure that this removes from having to fit everything in from Monday to Friday.
The traditional academic disciplines, including Latin, are complimented by Music and Drama, Art and Design and Outdoor Education, as well as a varied Sports programme. Computers and ICT are seen as a vital component of Hazlegrove education but never as an end in themselves.
Humanities take place in the Fitzjames building, a fantastic, flexible and innovative addition to the teaching space whose light, bright classrooms open on to first floor gallery and full height atrium where a huge globe hangs from the ceiling; broad steps double as informal seating.
Good Schools Guide
Progress and Assessment
Pupils' progress is monitored from an early age to ensure that potential is fulfilled and any difficulties are identified as early as possible. This progress is regularly assessed, both formally and informally, and parents are kept up-to-date about levels of effort and attainment through the reporting system and pattern of regular parent-teacher meetings. Parents are encouraged to discuss their children's progress with staff at any time.
Pupils are prepared for entry to a wide range of senior schools and considerable success is achieved on the scholarship front. They gain entry either through the Common Entrance or Scholarship examinations and awards gained may be Academic, Sport, Music, Art, DT, Drama or All Round.
Prep School Structure
Find out more about the structure of the prep school
The tutor is the first point of contact for pupils and parents if there are academic or other concerns. Additionally, the Head of Section (Lower School, Middle School or Upper School) will always be happy to discuss any concerns parents may have.
In Years 3 and 4, the class teacher is the tutor.
In Years 5 and 6 the children are taught by specialist teachers for the majority of subject but still have a "class teacher" for English and humanities. All children in a Year 5 class have the same tutor who they meet in the mornings and at the end of lunchtimes for registration and for longer tutor periods.
In Years 7 and 8 the tutor groups become "House" based rather than class based and all subjects are taught by specialist teachers.
Children are taught throughout the school in mixed ability, parallel classes, with some setting in French and Maths. In Years 7 and 8, pupils are either prepared for Common Entrance or in a higher tier stream where pupils are prepared for academic scholarship.
Prep is set for pupils in Years 5 to 8 on four nights of the week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday), younger pupils will be expected to read, learn spellings and practise times tables.
Years 3 - 6
In Years 3 - 6, the academic reward is the Plus Point. A member of staff might give up to three Plus Points to a child for a particular deed. The total of Plus Points a child gets in a week is calculated by the house staff and goes towards an overall house total, which in turn forms part of the overall annual House Competition.
For academic work, the major reward is the Merit. A Merit wins three extra plus points for the House. These are awarded by staff for exceptional work by the individual child. The child’s tutor keeps a record of the Merits for the term.
Years 7 and 8
In Years 7 and 8 pupils move to a system of Commendations. A Commendation is awarded for work that is exceptional for the individual child in terms of effort or attainment. At the end of each term the highest scoring pupils are awarded a book token in final assembly. Tutors can also award a ‘wild card’ to pupils who have made exceptional progress.
ShowHM
All children are encouraged to earn a ShowHM! These are pieces of work that the teacher thinks the pupil should show to the Headmaster, this is then mentioned in our weekly Celebration Assembly and the children achieve the coveted 'ShowHM stamp.
There are four "Houses" in the Prep School at Hazlegrove which are Dover (red), Lyon (blue), Norton (yellow) and Tremlett (green). Houses are allocated on joining the Prep School and children in the same immediate family will belong to the same House. The children wear House ties during the winter terms.
Inter-house competitions run throughout the year in sport and other areas of school life.
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