Opportunities for All | Thorpe Hall School

Preparatory School 4-11

Opportunities for All

Enriching, Inclusive, Broad, Fun and Life Enhancing Experiences

The vast number of extra-curricular clubs and activities offered in our Preparatory School enhance our pupils’ spiritual, social and cultural development. Inspiringt trips, visits and workshops add another dimension to this broad and varied enrichment programme. These exciting and often unique experiences support our pupils’ holistic development;  pupils are confident, reliable and resilient – traits that will serve them well throughout their lives both academically and socially.

Children with SEN are fully supported so that they can experience the full range of opportunities that are on offer at Thorpe Hall School. All children, regardless of age or ability are provided with equal opportunities to succeed across our broad and balanced curriculum.

To extend opportunities for all children even further, many clubs run before school, at lunchtime and after school. Our popular 11+ workshops also take place throughout the summer break.

 

 

Sport

From the earliest stages of their school lives, we encourage pupils to be enthusiastic and excited about a wide variety of sporting activities on offer.

All pupils enjoy the experience of being part of a team and learning new skills, whilst also learning about the health benefits of being active in daily life. Children love their PE lessons at Thorpe Hall School, taught throughout by specialist staff. Pupils benefit from using our excellent and extensive sports facilities including the huge multipurpose sports hall, dance studio, fitness suite and large playing fields with a cross country track in the woods.

Opportunities for inter-school competitive sports start early and children enjoy a wide range of different fixtures and events, thanks to our excellent connections with the Southend Schools Sports Association and the Independent Schools Association.

Music

Our pupil’s enjoyment and enthusiasm for music is palpable and classroom and specialist music lessons are fun, often practical, and include singing, composing, listening and, with a cross-curricular approach, can also include dance and drama.

We have a rich and diverse range of music ensembles and groups which encourage pupils to foster the joy of making music with others. There are extensive opportunities for pupils to learn to play a musical instrument or develop singing through school music lessons or during one-to-one private lessons held conveniently on site during the school day.

Musical performances are frequent and provide many opportunities for all children to demonstrate their talents, whatever their experience and ability.

Drama

From Reception to Year 6, all pupils develop their speaking and listening skills, their imaginations and their acting talents through specialist taught drama lessons. Consequently, Thorpe Hall pupils are confident and articulate. Christmas celebrations are a highlight of the year, and we ensure full participation for all pupils through speech, drama, song, music and dance.

Prep School productions are always a treat and pupils work as a team to design sets, create programmes and perform on stage. LAMDA lessons are a very popular extracurricular activity, as is Debate Club and the English Speaking Union competitions.

Forest School

Outdoor learning continues throughout our Prep School with children of all ages exploring and developing their skills in regular Forest School sessions. The structure of the sessions give children the opportunity to cover a wide range of topics from our curriculum – from mathematics and communication to team-building and problem solving – in a natural environment which has been proven to enhance learning. Our Forest School programme is a unique experience, with children growing in confidence and gaining independence. Exploring nature at their own pace, children learn to investigate, take risks safely, find solutions, gain knowledge and enjoy free thinking through first-hand experiences.

 

Trips & Excursions

Our Prep School pupils enjoy a broad range of exciting and stimulating trips and excursions to bring their learning to life; help build friendships and confidence; broaden horizons and develop a knowledge and appreciation of culture and British values.

Children might visit Kentwell Hall when studying the Tudors, London’s Pudding Lane when learning about the Great Fire of London, explore the The Science Museum to enhance their understanding of STEAM subjects, visit a foodbank or care home, immerse themselves in the rich story telling of a pantomime, or visit a local smallholding.

Our unrivalled trips offering culminates in a confidence-building residential offered to children in Years 4, 5 and 6. They visit an outdoor activity centre with their peers for 2 – 4 nights depending on their year group, making incredible memories in the latter stages of their amazing Prep School journey.

“I love the fact that I can spend lunchtimes in the gym – since lockdown, I am keener than ever to stay physically and mentally healthy.”

Year 5 Pupil

"There's a very impressive choice of clubs and activities for children to get involved in, from Sports, Music and Drama Clubs, to Mandarin and Italian, Coding and Lego Robotics, and Gardening and Cookery. There's always so much going on, every day of the week."

Year 5 Parent

  • Small class sizes and spacious facilities
  • ISA Award for Pupils’ Mental Health and Wellbeing
  • Sunday Times Top 100 Prep School
  • Accredited Forest & Beach Schools
  • Extensive Enrichment Programme