Prep School Curriculum
At Runnymede College Prep School, our curriculum is ambitious, thoughtful and firmly rooted in the English National Curriculum, whilst also going well beyond it. It is designed not simply to cover content, but to shape young minds — to cultivate curiosity, confidence and a genuine love of learning from the earliest years of prep school through to the end of Year 8.
We are proudly academic, and we take great care in securing strong foundations in English, Maths and core knowledge. However, we are equally clear that education at this stage must be broad, humane and balanced. Children learn best when they feel known, challenged and inspired, and our curriculum reflects this belief at every level.
Teaching at Runnymede Prep is purposeful and intellectually engaging, but never narrow. We want our pupils to think carefully, speak articulately, question intelligently and take pleasure in learning. Alongside academic rigour, we value creativity, resilience, independence and kindness — qualities that matter just as much in the long term.
Beyond the classroom, a rich programme of enrichment and co-curricular activity plays an important role in Prep School life. Through music, sport, drama, clubs, performances and enrichment days, pupils develop confidence, teamwork and a sense of perspective. A Runnymede Prep education is one that develops the whole child, and prepares them well for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
YEARS 4–6 CURRICULUM
In Years 4 to 6, pupils follow a broad and carefully structured curriculum that reflects the full breadth of the English National Curriculum. English, Mathematics and Science sit at the heart of the programme, supported by Humanities, Languages, Creative and Performing Arts, Computing, Physical Education and PSHE.
Teaching is delivered through a combination of class teachers and subject specialists. This allows pupils to benefit from both continuity of care and increasing subject expertise, while lessons are designed to be engaging, appropriately challenging and intellectually stimulating.
Assessment during these years is ongoing and purposeful. Through classwork, projects, presentations and age-appropriate tests, teachers build a detailed understanding of each child’s progress. This ensures that pupils are supported, stretched and encouraged, while developing the confidence and skills needed for the senior years of the Prep School.
Years 7-8 Curriculum
Years 7 and 8 represent an important and exciting stage in a pupil’s Prep School journey. Teaching is predominantly delivered by subject specialists, reflecting the expectations and rhythms of Senior School life, while retaining the close pastoral oversight that remains a defining feature of the Prep.
The curriculum is deliberately broad and intellectually demanding. Pupils study English, Mathematics, the Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Creative and Performing Arts, Computing and Physical Education. Across all subjects, there is a growing emphasis on independence, extended thinking, organisation and personal responsibility.
Assessment includes a range of approaches, from projects and presentations to extended written work and formal examinations. These are designed not to create pressure, but to build confidence and readiness for the next stage of learning. By the end of Year 8, pupils are well prepared academically, socially and emotionally for Senior School, and ready to embrace new challenges with assurance.
ASSESSMENT AND PROGRESSION
Assessment in the Prep School is used carefully and thoughtfully. Its purpose is to inform teaching, support progress and help pupils understand how to improve, rather than to label or compare. Regular, meaningful feedback allows pupils to recognise both their strengths and their next steps.
We work in close partnership with parents, ensuring clear communication and a shared understanding of each child’s development. Above all, our focus is on steady progress over time, underpinned by high expectations and a nurturing environment. With this secure foundation, pupils leave the Prep School well prepared for Senior School and equipped with the confidence, curiosity and habits of learning that will serve them for many years to come.