We really enjoy making the curriculum really come alive. We organise a wide variety of trips out of school as well as arranging for specialists to come into school to undertake workshops with the children. Recent events have included:

• A Climate Change Science Day and visiting a Bio Dome
• Workshop with Fab Drumming as part of the Year 6 Blues and African music topic
• Visit to a Dairy Farm
• The Pied Piper Theatre Company’s theatrical production of My Big Little Sister
• A visit to the Fleet Air Arm Museum and the SS Great Britain
• A trip to Wessex Water to study rivers
• A History trip to the Rural Life Museum
• Cultural Day where we learned about French and Japanese cultures
• Each summer, Year 6 also take part in an annual residential trip to France based on water sports

Children are also fortunate to be able to benefit from other events within the school. These include joining in with sports days, school fayres, Grandparents’ Day, religious services and watching plays and music concerts. Trips out and about to places such as the garden centre, Forest School, and lighthouses all enhance the learning experience.

One of the real strengths of Queen’s College Pre-Prep and Prep School is its outstanding pastoral care. We really value the individuality of our children and provide the support and encouragement to enable them to flourish. Living and working together is a skill and supporting and respecting each other is at the heart of the Queen’s College ethos.

Looking after young children is very important and throughout Pre-Prep and Prep this is the responsibility of the class teacher and experienced teaching assistants. Here at Queen’s we consider that the safety, security and happiness of all our pupils is of paramount importance. We teach the children about mutual respect, looking after one another, being tolerant and caring for one another; any issues are dealt with at the time, in a calm and clear manner. There are some simple school rules which we talk through with the children so that they are sure about their roles and responsibilities and the children are encouraged to speak to the class teacher if they are ever worried about anything.

As a Methodist School we teach and embrace Christian values. The Form Teacher is the first point of contact for both children and their parents and their form group is their prime responsibility.

As well as having an active interest in the academic progress of each child, the Form Tutor knows what else the child is involved in, keeps an eye on peer-to-peer relationships and is the first port of call for parental discussion. In addition, the Head Teacher is always present in the playground every morning for an informal chat – or a private appointment can be made through his PA.

Our Year 6 prefects have roles such as advocacy in the playground, and assisting in the smooth running and organisation of the school. In addition, there are regular meetings of the School Council where children from different year groups get together to plan improvements to the school such as developing play areas.

Every new pupil is given a buddy for the first few weeks when they join the school, who shows them the ropes, introduces them to other children and takes them to lessons. Parents frequently comment on how quickly their son or daughter has settled in and how happy and confident they are at Queen’s College.

Our 24 hour pastoral care at Queen’s is underpinned by robust policies and procedures, clear and sensible school rules and a supportive and enabling environment. Mr Andrew Free is the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the whole of Queen’s College.

To view all School Policies, please click here.

To download our Safeguarding Poster: Safeguarding Poster

To report abuse please visit: ceop-reporting

Before and after the day’s academic lessons, we offer wraparound school care in a safe environment, which is included in school fees.

Fun, play activities as well as providing quieter, ‘calming down’ moments for those who are tired at the end of the school day.

Co-curricular activities are available everyday from 3:40pm-4:25pm.

For parents who need child care during the holidays, the children’s activity organisation, Ultimate Activity, hosts holiday camps at Queen’s College during the Easter and Summer holidays. Please go to www.UltimateActivity.co.uk or telephone 0844 870 7077 for further details.

Moving from Prep to Senior School is a huge step for your child. We help facilitate a smooth transition for them between year groups at Queen’s through holding various transition events throughout the year which ensures a relaxed, smooth and confident move to the next stage of their education.

Moving from Prep to Senior School

Year 6 pupils enjoy a variety of taster lessons, activities and a familiarisation day in the Senior School, ensuring plenty of opportunities to find out more about life in year 7. Children at Queen’s College Prep do not have to sit entrance tests to enter the Senior School, unless they have specific learning difficulties. We also offer a comprehensive scholarship programme for students moving from Year 6 into Year 7. Further information can be found here. There is also the opportunity for parents to apply for a means-tested bursary or assisted place. For further information please contact the Admissions Officer at admissions@queenscollege.org.uk or telephone 01823 340830.

The overarching aim of the Learning Support department is to enable pupils to fulfil their potential and access the full range of curricular and co-curricular activities on offer at Queen’s. The Prep and Senior School departments seek to build self-esteem in pupils and develop independence by providing effective strategies both to address any difficulties and to move on from them with confidence. Prep and senior school staff meet regularly to discuss pupils to ensure a smooth transition into the senior school. For any new pupils who require additional support, we will contact their previous school so that we can ensure that the appropriate provision is in place.

Children in the Prep School requiring intervention will come out of non-core subjects. This support may be individual, in small groups or provided in class. Some children have needs that are met through the high quality differentiated teaching they experience within the classroom. If it is felt that a child would benefit from learning support, we meet with class teachers and parents to discuss the best provision moving forwards. Each pupil who has learning support will have a Pupil Passport. This document contains key information, strategies and targets for individual children and is shared with parents, staff and the child themselves. We like children to be involved with their learning and therefore their opinion is important to us. Interventions are regularly monitored as each term progresses to ensure that the support is still working well. We have bi-annual review meetings where parents are encouraged to attend to discuss the learning support that is in place. These meetings focus on progress made, the child’s wellbeing and steps to move forward.