Immanuel College Preparatory School

Download a copy of the Preparatory School Prospectus here.

The Preparatory School Open Evening for entry in September 2012 has now taken place. If you would like to arrange a tour on a school day, please contact Lynda Dullop on 020 8955 8938 or 07842 704 189

If you would like your child to be considered for assessment for entry into Sep 2012, please contact Lynda Dullop on 07842 704 189

Information for Current Preparatory School Parents:

Please click here for 2011-12 Term Dates and here for 2012-13 Term Dates

Please click here to read this week's Newsletter

Click here for this term's lunch menus.

Early Fridays begin on Friday 4th November when school finishes at 1p.m.

Reminder: The Reception Class Chanukah Concert is on Friday 2nd December at 10:30 a.m.

Reminder: Term ends for the Prep School at 1p.m. on Friday 9th December

About the Preparatory School

Imagine Immanuel. Imagine the joy and excitement of learning in a vibrant, well-structured learning environment. The Immanuel College Preparatory School opened in September 2011 to pupils in Reception. Thereafter, the school will grow annually until it comprises all years from Reception to Year 6.

The Prep School is an integral part of Immanuel College. The Head Master of the College, Philip Skelker, has ultimate responsibility for the Prep School, though its day-to-day operation is overseen by the Head of Early Years, Ms Natasha Fisher.

Staff

Ms Natasha Fisher, is our Head of Early Years and Key Stage 1. Ms Fisher comes to Immanuel College from South Hampstead Junior School where she was in charge of Reception. Prior to that, she has taught at Hasmonean Primary School.

Each year group will be overseen by a specialist class teacher, who will nurture a vibrant, well-structured learning environment appropriate to his or her pupils’ personal growth and academic development.

Buildings and Facilities

Imagine a school where small class sizes ensure that each pupil’s individual strengths, talents, and aptitudes are nurtured and developed. The Prep School is located in its own building and has its own entrance. Pupils benefit from attractive, refurbished classrooms, new toilet facilities, and a safe, dedicated playground. The location of the Prep School on the same site as the Senior School brings with it an array of exciting opportunities for pupils. These include the opportunity for them to engage with senior-school specialist subject teachers (for instance of Kodesh, modern foreign languages, art, drama, music and physical education) and to access facilities such as the Joyce King Theatre, art and music studios, sports pitches, and science and ICT laboratories. In this way the Prep School promotes pupils’ academic ambition, support their growth, and facilitate their transition into senior-school life when they reach Year 7.

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Academic Excellence

The Prep School provides an academically challenging environment which is vibrant, happy, creative and stimulating. Its teachers have high expectations but equally foster a nurturing environment in order to promote pupils’ academic growth and to provide the support they need in order to make excellent progress in their studies.

The school encourages its pupils to develop intellectual independence and an enduring love of learning for its own sake, equipping them for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

The programmes of study at the Prep School extends beyond the National Curriculum. They include not only the full range of academic subjects but also a wide variety of physical and creative experiences. Pupils benefit from opportunities to exercise initiative, develop team-working skills, and participate in visits beyond the classroom. The curriculum not only supports pupils’ academic progress but also foster in them awareness and understanding of a range of spiritual, moral, cultural and social issues. In this way, it promotes their development into compassionate, empathetic and confident individuals. Because pupils will not undertake SATs in Year 6 at the Prep School, they have the opportunity to benefit from an exciting, wide-ranging and challenging scheme of work after sitting their senior-school entrance examinations. It is envisaged that Year 5 and Year 6 pupils will be increasingly involved in the life and work of the Senior School during these years, not only giving them extended opportunities to stretch themselves academically but also equipping them to make a successful transition to Year 7 in due course.

The subjects that are taught at the Prep School are English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Jewish Studies, French, Ivrit, ICT, Art, Music and Dance, Physical Education and PSCHE. More information about the curriculum can be found on page 8 in the Prospectus. Return to top to download a copy.

Learning Support

Imagine a school that identifies and delivers the support required to maximise each child’s potential. The Prep School works closely with the College’s Teaching and Learning Department to help pupils with specific learning needs to understand and master aspects of the curriculum they find challenging. The Teaching and Learning Department also collaborates with class teachers in identifying gifted and talented pupils, devising programmes which ensure that the breadth of enrichment opportunities offered meets their diverse requirements and that these pupils are given every opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Enrichment opportunities

Imagine a place that supports, stretches and challenges pupils. All pupils have the opportunity to develop existing interests and nurture new ones through a variety of clubs and enrichment activities, which operate during lunchtimes and after school for pupils in Year 1 and above. These reflect the talents and interests of the staff and pupils, while some also involve the input and expertise of external specialists and senior-school pupils. The extra-curricular clubs range from ballet, dance and drama to chess and “mad-science”, from Judo and Jiu Jitsu to Spanish and Mandarin.

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Expert Pastoral Care

At Immanuel College, the happiness and welfare of every pupil is of the utmost importance. In March 2010, the inspection team of the Independent Schools Inspectorate noted ‘the excellent quality of pastoral care’ at the school and commented on how ‘the outstanding support and guidance that the pupils receive is rooted in the excellent relationships between all at the school’. The Prep School benefits hugely from the exceptional expertise that Immanuel College has developed in terms of its pastoral care of pupils. To this end, the Prep School staff work closely with the Director of Pastoral Education at the Senior School, Mrs Beth Kerr, and her team.

As with the Senior School, the Prep School provides an environment in which all its members feel safe, valued and respected. Every pupil is encouraged to acquire a sensitivity to the feelings and needs of others, accept personal responsibility for his or her actions, and treat all property with due care, irrespective of its ownership.

The school celebrates achievement and promote pupils’ achievement through praise whenever appropriate. Behaviour that undermines the happy environment that is such a hallmark of Immanuel College life, such as bullying, insensitivity, discrimination, bad language or acts of intolerance, is not accepted. Prep School pupils particularly benefit from working with senior pupils in initiatives such as the peer-mentoring scheme. They also develop positive relationships with older pupils through an academic-mentoring scheme and through their participation in a number of extra-curricular activities and games organised by senior pupils. Pupils are encouraged to play their part in developing a positive school community through their participation in assemblies and the school council.

By knowing every child socially, emotionally and academically, we can be sure that each pupil will flourish and acquire the confidence and self-belief to achieve a fulfilling and successful future.

Value for Money

The Immanuel College Preparatory School offers value for money. You may well find that our fees are less than you are currently paying for your child's private nursery or childcare. The voluntary contributions requested at maintained Jewish primary schools vary in amount, but in some cases approach 50% of our total fees. Supplementary Jewish education in the form of cheder or a tutor, should you opt for a non-Jewish prep school, does not come free of charge.

Admission Procedures

All applications for admission to the Prep School require the completion of the Application Form and payment of the Registration Fee (which is non-refundable). Parents are also required to complete the appropriate Certificate of Religious Practice.

All application forms can be downloaded by clicking here.

Assessment Procedure

The assessment procedure for admission into Reception and Year 1 (and, in due course, Year 2) will consist of a play session and a focus activity for the prospective pupil. Going forwards, the assessment procedure for older pupils (Years 3-6) seeking to join the School will involve a more formal written assessment in English, Mathematics, Science and Reasoning.

The Prep School will use this assessment process to determine which children to offer places to. All other factors allowing, preference will be given to pupils with siblings already at Immanuel College. Offers of places will be posted by 31st October 2011. Replies are required within approximately one week. The offer of a place is secured by the parents or guardians completing and signing the Acceptance Form, which must be accompanied by a non-refundable deposit of £1,000. In accordance with the school’s terms and conditions, this deposit will be credited against a pupil’s final (leaving) term at the Prep School, unless a pupil withdraws prior to taking up his/her place.

Fees

School fees are reviewed and set each September. The Prep School’s tuition fees for the 2011/12 academic year are £2,500 per term. There is an additional catering charge of £140 per term. A concession of 10% of tuition fees will apply if a pupil has a sibling at any part of Immanuel College. The concession will only apply to the younger sibling. Similarly, if a pupil has more than one sibling attending the School, then the concession will apply to each of the siblings at Immanuel College, except for the oldest pupil. Fees are payable by the first day of each term and a term’s notice is required for the withdrawal of any child at the school.

Bursaries

Bursaries may be available where there is a genuine difficulty in meeting the full fees. Details may be obtained from the Bursar. All applications will be dealt with by Immanuel College’s Treasurer (a member of the Governing Body), who will keep the information supplied strictly confidential.

Progression to Immanuel College Senior School

Pupils of the Prep School will be required to sit the entrance examination to be considered for entry to the Immanuel College Senior School. Whenever possible, pupils who attend the Prep School will have priority for admission to the Senior School.

More information about the Preparatory School curriculum and policies can be found in the Preparatory School Prospectus. Please return to the top of the page to download a copy.