Daily Life at Prep School

At the age of seven, boys move confidently into the main school, joining the Junior Department of St John’s Prep. With their first blazers, house ties and new house affiliations, this transition marks an exciting new chapter, one full of opportunity, challenge and discovery.

New pupils joining in Year 3 integrate seamlessly with their peers in their bright, engaging classrooms, where a strong sense of belonging is founded.

Pupils develop excellent knowledge, skills and understanding across the curriculum. Their academic and other successes are significant and are celebrated at every opportunity. ISI Inspection Report

An Education That Grows With Your Son

Years 3 and 4

Known as our Juniors, boys are taught core subjects by their class teacher, with support from a teaching assistant in a specialist building exclusively for these year groups, the Junior Building.

Pupils benefit from a broad curriculum taught by subject specialists, including French, Physical Education, Art, Music, Design Technology, Computing and Games. Swimming provision at Merchant Taylors’ School, which includes a weekly lesson for half of the academic year, complements the boy’s physical development.

The Junior Department also offers a variety of enrichment activities that really broaden the boys’ horizons, including trips and visits, guest speakers, challenges and competitions, creative opportunities and membership to a wide range of clubs.

Year 5 and Year 6

From Year 5, boys move into smaller class groups and are taught by specialist teachers across all subjects. They continue to study the full breadth of the curriculum and are introduced to Drama, study skills, and further develop their independent learning habits.

11+ Preparation and Support

From Year 4 onwards, pupils begin formal preparation for 11+ examinations.

At St John’s, preparing our boys for a wide range of secondary school destinations is an integral part of what we do.

While the prospect of moving on to senior school can feel daunting for some pupils and their families, this is a journey we know well, and one we approach with care, structure, and confidence.

Experienced staff build a deep understanding of each pupil forming an educational journey around ability, interest and potential.

The personalised approach is essential to supporting each pupil to grow academically and emotionally, as well as identify opportunities.

Through individual academic support, interview preparation, extra curricular opportunities and close communication with families, we ensure each boy is well-equipped for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Whether progressing to an independent, grammar, or state school, we are confident that every boy will be ready for the transition and ready to thrive in his next setting.

St John’s School Prospectus

Our prospectus is designed to give you a comprehensive overview of life at St John’s from our vibrant academic programs to the enriching extracurricular opportunities that help every pupil thrive. You can also find a link to the highlights from our most recent inspection report, offering an independent view of the quality of education and care we provide.
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