insideKENT Magazine Issue 96 - March 2020 | Page 132

EDUCATION
PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE:
PREP SCHOOL ADVICE B Y
SUTTON VALENCE SCHOOL
The importance of choosing
the right Prep School
Choosing the right school is all
about finding the right fit for your
child and, indeed, for your own
values. At Sutton Valence School,
we are very proud to be a school
that lives out its ethos, ‘each cares
for all and individuality is
cherished’. This is truly evident
in everything we do from nursery
to sixth form. Finding out about
the curriculum is vital so parents
can ensure the school excels in
the areas that are important to
them and their children. Our
Early Years department (Nursery
and Reception) has been awarded
the Early Years Quality Mark
recognising the excellent provision
we offer our very youngest pupils.
breakfast club care, a host of arts and
sporting related clubs and events, and
a wide range of after-school activities.
Most Kent schools are active in the
sporting leagues and value additional
qualifications such as LAMDA awards
in speech and drama and music
gradings, but each offer will differ.
At SVS we not only offer an early-
morning breakfast club but also
after-school clubs with a tasty evening
meal. Our after-school club activities
can include cookery, cookery, Lego
robotics, construction, ball skills, drum
squad and golf, with Year 3 to 6 being
able to attend orchestra, art, current
affairs, chess, hockey, mindfulness,
judo and swimming. We have a very
strong sense of community at SVPS
and we ensure that breakfast and tea
are not only deliciously nutritious but
also that the atmosphere is warm and
relaxed, just as it would be at home.
Getting a place at the Prep School of your choice
Set in a stunning, rural location, with
excellent facilities and access to our
full range of senior school facilities
too, it is hard to ignore how special
our school feels. At SVS we value
community and we all know each
other, no matter how old or young.
Our classrooms are purpose built,
spacious and well-equipped and we
have a wide range of outdoor learning
areas. These include a Forest School
classroom, the Early Years sensory
‘Secret Garden’ and a vegetable patch
where children grow produce both for
the school kitchen as well as for our
many guinea pigs. We also have an
adventure playground and extensive
playing fields with their breath-taking
views over the Weald of Kent. Our
sporting facilities are impressive with
a full size all-weather pitch, various
sports courts, cricket nets, plenty of
pitches, all-weather athletics track and
swimming pool.
Why choose a Prep School
It’s advisable to start your journey as soon as you can, as you may find there is
a wait for certain places. Whilst we do, of course, ensure that children are well-
supported at whichever point they join us, beginning their prep school career
in the Early Years ensures the smoothest and most consistent of educational
journeys. Most prep schools will expect children in Year 1 and upwards to have
a taster day at the school so both the child and the school can get a feel for each
other. There may be an assessment but at SVPS we also ensure our prospective
pupils have the opportunity to get to know the children in their new class and
experience a normal day at our school.
Extra-curricular activities and offerings
We understand how busy lives can be, so it is important to look at what options
are available to extend the standard school day to accommodate longer hours.
Prep Schools are often uniquely positioned to offer a plethora of pre-school
132
Prep schools offer an enriched
curriculum, smaller class sizes,
excellent facilities and an abundance
of child-centred activities, events and
extra-curricular opportunities. Many
are set in beautiful, rural locations
with extensive outdoor play and sports
facilities; allowing for the addition of
outdoor classrooms, foraging,
gardening, and the introduction of a
diverse and inclusive Forest School
curriculum. And at the heart is a sense
of community which is paramount to
successful education settings.
www.svs.org.uk