Junior / Senior School for Boys in Hertfordshire, near London

Northwood Preparatory School, London:
Northwood Preparatory School occupies an historic site and is conveniently situated near Watford and Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire with easy access from major motorways, central London and is also well served by main and tube lines and bus routes. The school is divided into 3 sections: Nursery School (boys and girls age 3+) Little Terry's; Junior School (boys ages 4-7), includes Reception; Senior School (boys ages 7-13).

Northwood Prep Nursery
At Northwood Prep Nursery we promote the early learning goals so that children can fulfil their potential at this vital stage in their development and can make a confident and smooth transition to full time education.

Personal, social and emotional development is given high priority and, through a wide range of experiences, children will develop a positive sense of themselves which will give them the best opportunity for success in other areas of learning.

The program of communication, language and literacy skills is designed to give the children the best possible start. In mathematics, practical activities are planned to ensure that concepts are clearly understood.

There are opportunities to explore, investigate and develop knowledge and understanding of the world. The provision of physical and creative activities builds up a wealth of skills.

Our aim is to ensure that children enjoy their Early Years' experiences in the care of skilful and sympathetic staff. We lay the foundations for your child's future success in a stimulating and caring environment.

Junior School
Most pupils join the school in the September of the academic year in which their fifth birthday will fall and join our Reception Class. Junior School is the boys' first taste of life at Northwood Prep. The emphasis is on making them feel at home in a caring environment and building firm foundations in literacy and numeracy. From the beginning each boy receives individual attention in small classes.

Our pupils are introduced to full-time schooling in a sensitive way and we believe these years are critical in terms of successful intellectual and social development. The enthusiastic and motivated teaching staff and their assistants are dedicated to delivering academic excellence and promoting independent working, as well as providing a high level of pastoral care.

This vital blend, of which we are justly proud, is important in confidence building and fulfilling the potential of every boy. The Junior School is purpose built and we are constantly expanding our facilities to ensure that our boys have the very best environment for learning and play. There are extra-curricular activities and additional specialist teaching is offered in French, Music and P.E.. This leads to a smooth transition to the Senior School at the age of seven.

Senior School
In Y3 and Y4 our boys’ development is moved from the class-based teaching that nurtures their Junior School lives and the full subject-based teaching necessary for success in Senior School. In a caring and secure environment, lively minds are developed through learning experiences which are stimulating, challenging and purposeful. Exciting, vibrant work displays reflect our high standards and curriculum strengths. A sense of pride, in both personal work and that of others, is encouraged and through success, confidence is gained and self-respect built. A full extra-curricular programme encourages participation in activities ranging from Chess to Basketball, developing the boys’ abilities and interests in new pursuits. The use of our magnificent playing fields and purpose built Sports Hall is maximised through a full and varied sporting programme. Our boys learn to participate in team games, honing their skills for playing inter-house and inter-school matches. This helps build a healthy team spirit and encourages leadership skills which are a vital adjunct to their intellectual and spiritual development.

In Y4, opportunities are offered for residential visits which give the boys first-hand experiences of the curriculum, adding an exciting and supportive dimension to classroom teaching.

Y5 to Y8 in turn, prepare our boys for the challenges of their next chosen school and the process of growing into confident and responsible young men. It does so by developing skills, knowledge, values and self-confidence and by equipping them with the right tools to negotiate immediate challenges as well as to prepare for the demands of the future. Lessons are delivered by subject specialists in specialist teaching rooms, The boys are set by subject ability in the core curriculum from Year 6 but are otherwise grouped and taught in Forms on a social basis. This leads to the development of a scholarship set in Years 7 and 8 and to careful preparation for Entrance and Scholarship exams to a number of Independent and State schools.

Once again, the emphasis is focused on small class size, individual attention and pastoral care. There is also the value-added dimension of an intensive learning programme and an extensive schedule of Life Skills tuition, extra-curricular activities and a House system that involves and values every individual. Given our commitment to excellence throughout the whole school our success at preparing pupils for school transfer at 13+ comes as no surprise.