School Life
Prep 3 and Prep 4 are known as Key Stage One, when each child builds upon and develops the experiences provided at Foundation Stage.
There is a more explicit emphasis on the development of skills in Communication, using Mathematics and ICT. The curriculum is broad and balanced with an emphasis on challenging, well-structured activity-based learning. We structure the curriculum so that the pupils experience success and build their potential through relevant and enjoyable learning experiences.
Friends’ Prep follow the Northern Ireland Curriculum for Key Stage One, which incorporates seven Areas of Learning:
Including Talking and Listening, Reading and Writing. These skills are key to learning and personal growth, so we continue to focus on each child’s ability to understand and use language in different contexts. We teach them to listen effectively, express themselves creatively and to communicate confidently.
Including Processes in Mathematics, Number, Measures, Shape and Space and Handling Data. Numeracy is the development and application of mathematics across the curriculum and in real-life situations. At Key Stage One, pupils engage in purposeful activities in all areas of mathematical learning. These include playing, exploring and investigating, doing and observing, talking and listening, asking questions, reflecting, reading and recording.
Including Art and Design, Music and Drama. In Prep 3 and 4 we provide rich opportunities for developing creativity, allowing children to express their ideas, feelings and interpretations of the world through art, music and drama, linked meaningfully to other areas of the curriculum.
Including Geography, History and Science and Technology. Between the ages of six and nine, children often ask profound questions about themselves and the world. We help pupils to explore and find age-appropriate answers to some of their big questions through relevant topic based work. We continue to develop their key skills so that they can sort and classify, explore, predict, experiment, compare, plan, carry out and review their work.
PDMU focuses on encouraging each pupil to become personally, emotionally and socially effective. We continue to encourage them to form positive relationships with others so that they are equipped to lead healthy, safe and fulfilled lives.
Including Athletics, Dance, Games and Gymnastics. Physical Education gives children the opportunity to give specific attention to their physical development, health and well-being. Pupils participate regularly in a range of enjoyable physical activities that consolidate the full range of fundamental movement skills. From Prep 4, pupils have swimming lessons at Lisburn Lesiureplex.
Taught in accordance with our Quaker values and the core syllabus drafted by the four main Christian Churches in Northern Ireland and specified by the Department of Education. We are inclusive in our respect for other faiths and welcome pupils from all religious backgrounds and none. We encourage the children to develop their personal understanding of faith and to enhance their spiritual and ethical awareness.
“I like this school because we do really good work. I’m only in Prep 4 and I’m already really smart.”
Benjamin
