Pre-Prep Reflections Week 1 September 2024

Diary Dates

Monday 9 September – After school clubs begin

Saturday 14 September 11am-2pm – Heritage open day

Tuesday 17 September – Phonics and reading parent workshop

Thursday 19 September – Open morning / Flu immunisations

Friday 4 October 2.30pm – Grandparents’ afternoon

Saturday 5 October – Exeter School open morning

Thursday 10 October – Year 2 taster day at Exeter School

Friday 18 October 3pm – Harvest assembly for parents

21 October to 1 November – Half term (2 weeks)

Wednesday 20 November 2.15pm – 7+ assessment parent information meeting

Wednesday 27 November 4.00-7.30pm – Parents’ evening

Tuesday 10 December 3pm – Informal parent drop-in

Thursday 12 & Friday 13 December 2.30pm – Nativity performances

Tuesday 17 December – Christmas pantomime

Wednesday 18 December – End of autumn term (12 noon)

A list of term dates for the academic year 2024-25 is available on the school website.

Swimming

Year 2

Swimming lessons will take place on Monday afternoons at Exeter School, taught by Mr Dutch. All Year 2 pupils will be swimming on Monday 9 September for an initial assessment lesson, after which the class will be split into two smaller groups, each swimming for half a term in the autumn and spring terms. As the lesson is in the afternoon, please can the children come to school in uniform on Monday, ready to change at the pool.

Year 1

Swimming lessons will take place on Wednesday mornings at Exeter School, taught by Mr Ross. All Year 1 pupils will be swimming on Wednesday 11 September for an initial assessment lesson, after which the class will be split into two smaller groups, each swimming for half a term in the autumn and spring terms. Please can the children come to school in PE kit on Wednesday with their swimming costumes underneath.

The children will also need the following items in a waterproof bag:

• Large towel
• Hairbrush (please also ensure that long hair is tied back or plaited securely)
• Goggles (please ensure that these fit comfortably)
• The children may want to have a rash vest or other swimming top over their swimming clothes to help keep them warm in the pool, especially if they are a non-swimmer
• Swimming hats are optional.

Reception

Swimming lessons will take place in the summer term and we will inform parents nearer the time of the arrangements for this.

ISI Inspection Report

In June 2024, Exeter Pre-Prep School was inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) under the newly implemented Framework 23, which was introduced in September 2023. This new framework moves away from a one-word judgement system, focusing instead on evaluating pupil experience across a range of core areas.

A team of four inspectors visited the school for three days, observed numerous lessons, scrutinised documents and records, and met with children, staff, school leaders and governors. Additionally, questionnaires were distributed to parents and staff to ensure the views of the whole school community contributed to the outcome of the inspection.

Over the summer, the draft report has been quality assured by ISI and we are now able to share the final version with you, ahead of its official publication on 17 September. We are delighted to have successfully met the standards in all areas. The detailed report captures the unique essence of our school and the excellent provision on offer to all our children.

Please find a summary of the highlights and a copy of the full report here.

Staff Contacts

Should you wish to contact a member of staff by email, please use the addresses below:

• Miss Adams – LAA@exeterschool.org.uk
• Ms AJ (school office) – preprep@exeterschool.org.uk
• Mr Ayling – preprephead@exeterschool.org.uk
• Mrs Dray – MJD@exeterschool.org.uk
• Mrs Goodwill – DG@exeterschool.org.uk
• Mr Heath – SH@exeterschool.org.uk
• Mrs Lawrence-Jones – AFL@exeterschool.org.uk
• Ms Richards – ERR@exeterschool.org.uk
• Mrs Rickard – KR@exeterschool.org.uk
• Mrs Smyth – CAJS@exeterschool.org.uk
• Mrs Titchin – RMT@exeterschool.org.uk
• Mrs Thomas – LMTJ@exeterschool.org.uk
• Mrs Tyler – CMT@exeterschool.org.uk
• Mrs Wannell – CJW@exeterschool.org.uk

If you have a safeguarding or child protection concern, you can email EPPSsafeguarding@exeterschool.org.uk to contact the safeguarding team.

Heritage Open Day

We are pleased to be taking part in the Heritage Open Day scheme again this year, England’s largest festival of history and culture. Every September, the festival gives people the chance to visit thousands of historic buildings all over the country that are not normally open to the public, free of charge. Our beautiful converted chapel will be open for self-guided tours on Saturday 14 September from 11am-2pm. Please share this with any friends or family who might like to visit and learn more about our historic listed building. Full details can be found here.