Stone Life February/March 2014 | Page 49

INDEPENDENT EDUCATION Stafford Preparatory School Reception Class opening in September tafford Preparatory School has been open since September, 2007, and currently educates 120 children between the ages of 5 and 11. Plans are now full steam ahead for the proposed opening of a Reception Class in September, 2014 ‘It is a reflection of the hard work put in by everyone connected with SPS that the school is gaining in reputation and growing in size year on year.’ Lessons for children at SPS are taught principally by specialist primary teachers, with Stafford Grammar School staff teaching subjects such as design technology, music, ICT and P.E. in Years 5 and 6. Science is taught in a fully equipped laboratory. Children learn French, German and Spanish during their time at SPS. Activity beyond the classroom is plentiful – competitive sport, a wide variety of music and outdoor education, all complemented by clubs and educational visits which enrich the curriculum. The most recent dramatic productions were S ‘The Wind in the Willows’ and ‘Porridge’. The School Choir sing at the Gatehouse Theatre in ‘Celebrating Music’ and at Christmas took to the stage at Symphony Hall, Birmingham in a Gala Concert. Admission to Stafford Prep at KS2 is based on an informal assessment conducted in a small group or on an individual basis. Children spend a morning/day in school during which time they are tested in English and mathematics. Entry at KS1 follows an introductory visit by the pupil. Pupils in Year 6 are prepared mainly for the entrance examination for Stafford Grammar School, but also for other selective senior schools. Four of the current Year 6 class will be moving up to the senior school with academic scholarships. During Stafford Prep’s first six years, the children have achieved some spectacular successes on the sporting front winning forty trophies locally and nationally. In 2011, the U11 tag rugby team represented the West Midlands in the Tag to Twickenham Final. In recent weeks the girls have won the ISA U9 netball tournament and U11 high fives competition, while the U10 football team was joint winners of the Leasowes Tournament. All pupils have two weekly PE/Games sessions and these are supplemented with a full programme of extra curricular activities, both sporting and non sporting. Our aim is to give our pupils an exciting and challenging primary education which will give them an enthusiasm for learning and prepare them for life at senior school in the best possible way. Parents may visit by prior appointment on any school day, with the next Open Morning taking place on Wednesday, March 12th from 0930 – 1130. For further information please visit our website www.staffordprep.co.uk email [email protected] or ring 01785 251337 STAFFORD PREPARATORY SCHOOL Reception Class Places Available From September 2014        For further information please contact: The Headmaster’s Secretary on 01785 251337 Burton Manor, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST18 9AT email: [email protected] www.staffordprep.co.uk February/March 2014 49