Reception & Year 1 | Wetherby School

Holistic Early Development for Future Excellence

The foundations for future success are established in our Lower School, where young boys develop key competencies through structured, child-initiated interventions.

We empower pupils to pursue their ambitions and excel in Upper School and beyond. Our ambitious curriculum seeks to address boys’ specific needs and objectives, merging in-class and outdoor activities to promote holistic development. Extensive co-curriculars allow learners to nurture their unique abilities in cricket, swimming, rugby and football, and exciting disciplines through after-school clubs.

We encourage boys to aim high and be proud of their accomplishments. Working closely with parents helps crystallise learning and foster positive relationships between boys and the adults who care for them.

Life in Reception and Year 1

Our holistic approach to learning is well-known for producing excellent pupil outcomes, instilling core values and equipping boys for future success.

Through meticulous planning, we set personalised learning objectives that challenge and stimulate our boys while also accounting for their individual strengths and weaknesses. A wide variety of enriching activities develop confidence, and reasoning and communication skills, beginning boys’ journey towards excellence in the 21st century.

New boys move seamlessly into our school thanks to our community-centred ethos, close collaboration with feeder nurseries, and exceptional support for boys and parents. During introductory events in the holidays before term starts, learners dive straight in and discover new, exciting avenues for learning.

Character growth is emphasised throughout Lower School. All boys are Wetherby Ambassadors, embodying our values in class and out. We encourage them to proudly share their unique gifts by taking up a responsibility related to their interests.

Pre-Prep School Curriculum

In advancing through our rigorous syllabus, learners are challenged to develop a range of competencies. Thus, they emerge armed with core academic and reasoning skills, ready and confident in their ability to excel in the next stage of their education.

Our curriculum is carefully crafted to maximise the benefits for each pupil. Wetherby School is exempt from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning and development requirements, so Reception boys follow a tailored curriculum that accounts for each learner’s specific strengths and weaknesses. In combining the best of the EYFS curriculum with a wealth of valuable learning experiences, we challenge and support our boys at all levels to ensure that they reach their specific developmental goals at the appropriate time.

Emphasis is placed on breadth, and we seek to expose pupils to as many learning and developmental opportunities as possible from an early age. In Lower School, we teach English, Science, Mathematics, Geography, History and Religious Education. These are supplemented by enriching subjects such as Music, Art, French, Design & Technology, Reasoning, Computing and Learning for Life (PSHEE). Physical Education (P.E.) and Games (including swimming, football, rugby and others cricket) complete the curriculum by nurturing boys’ health and well-being.

Language Immersion in Our Reception and Year 1

Pupils at our school benefit from a strong focus on language education, gaining vital proficiencies such as literacy and communication skills.

We teach English and French at the pre-prep level. Our dedicated teachers follow an ambitious, carefully planned language curriculum that is both challenging and inspiring. Consequently, our boys are equipped with a solid linguistic foundation that will support them in future studies.

With 25+ additional languages spoken across the school community, Wetherby Pre-Prep is a diverse, multilingual learning environment. By engaging respectfully with other cultures, boys are empowered to develop and flourish in an increasingly interconnected world.

Reception and Year 1 Teachers

Our hand-picked teachers are experienced and committed to fostering a purposeful, high-quality learning environment. By employing a variety of appropriate resources, they ensure boys are stimulated, gain confidence, and enjoy learning in a safe, vibrant, welcoming and communicative setting. Children learn best in a secure environment – where they are healthy and have good relationships with the adults caring for them, and their individual needs are met; teachers work closely with parents, Upper School staff and Senior Leadership to make this possible while strictly adhering to all EYFS requirements for welfare and safeguarding.

Regular feedback, both written and verbal, ensures parents are involved as co-educators. We foster an open, informative, supportive relationship with our parents from their first contact with us, and even invite them to immerse themselves in the learning in the classroom.

Tailored Learning Objectives

Our personalised teaching provision means we address learners' needs individually, while helping them reach their specific objectives. By adopting a responsive, critical attitude towards evaluations, we can set goals that are challenging yet achievable. These objectives are all clearly defined and assist with development across learning areas. Throughout our planning and evaluation processes, we continue to promote the sharing of ideas, practices and outcomes, ensuring boys benefit from enriching individual experiences and opportunities at school.

Discover the benefits of a holistic early education and how our school sets your child on the path to success.

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