Forms 3–6 | Ages 7–11
Prep at Pownall Hall is where children grow into confident, capable and grounded young people. It is a time of increasing independence, deeper thinking and broader opportunity – all within a school where children are still known, supported and genuinely cared for.
From Form 3 to Form 6, pupils are guided through a carefully structured journey that balances strong academic preparation with pastoral care, creativity, leadership and joy. Children leave Prep not only ready for senior school, but ready for what comes next in life.
Prep marks an important shift in how children learn and how they see themselves as learners.
Classes are small, with a maximum of 18 pupils and no more than two classes per year group. This allows teachers to know each child well and to respond quickly to both strengths and concerns.
Forms 3 and 4 are primarily led by a Form Teacher, supported by a permanent Teaching Assistant. Children are introduced gradually to specialist teaching while still benefiting from the security of a consistent adult presence.
From Form 5, pupils move confidently into a fully specialist-led model, travelling independently between lessons in dedicated subject spaces around the school.
Throughout Prep, children have three form-time check-ins each day, providing regular opportunities for support, guidance and reassurance. This structure allows staff to notice changes in confidence or wellbeing early and to respond promptly.
Independence is encouraged, never rushed.
Prep pupils benefit from a broad, specialist-led curriculum designed to mirror the structure and expectations of senior school, without losing the warmth of a primary setting. From Form 3 onwards, children are taught by subject specialist teachers in:
Science
Computing and Digital Literacy
French and German
Music and Drama
Art, Design and Technology
PE and Games
Forest School
In Forms 5 and 6, all subjects are specialist taught, including English and Maths, with lessons delivered in specialist classrooms by teachers with extensive 11+ experience.
Children move around the school for lessons, learning to manage time, equipment and responsibility in a supported environment that builds confidence well before senior school.
Dive deeper into each subjectAt Pownall Hall, children are not placed into sets. Small class sizes allow teachers to tailor learning without labelling children by ability.
Pupils who need additional support receive this through one-to-one or small group work.
Pupils who are ready for more challenge are stretched and extended, never held back.
Teaching in the upper Prep years is tailored carefully to the senior schools each child is applying for. Exam styles, formats and techniques vary widely, and preparation is adapted accordingly. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Academic ambition sits alongside strong pastoral care. Teachers are experienced in recognising pressure or anxiety and work closely with families to ensure children remain confident and well throughout their time in Prep.
“My children are so much more confident in their own abilities. They are challenged but don’t give up, and they now approach their learning with a positive attitude. The sense of family at Pownall is something we have not experienced anywhere else.”
Prep at Pownall is about far more than lessons.
Children are encouraged to speak, lead, question and contribute – skills that serve them well far beyond the classroom.
Public speaking and debating, including whole-school events in the Boddington Theatre
Extended writing projects and national competitions
Independent research across a range of subjects
Music recitals, drama productions and external festivals
A wide range of leadership roles in Form 6, from Heads of School and House Captains to Heads of Creative Arts, Sport and Sustainability
One highlight of Form 6 is the Business Enterprise project, where pupils pitch business ideas to a panel of “dragons”, create products and run a school-based enterprise. It is a powerful way to build confidence, teamwork and real-world thinking once exams are complete.
A Prep education at Pownall Hall is rich, varied and active.
Sport plays a central role, with fixtures, festivals and national competitions offering opportunities for both participation and high-level performance. Residential trips begin in Form 3, building resilience, independence and friendships, with Form 6 pupils able to take part in UK or international experiences.
Creative and outdoor opportunities provide balance, perspective and enjoyment, ensuring children remain happy, motivated and engaged.
Prep pupils are also role models within the wider school. Each Form 6 child is paired with a Reception buddy, building responsibility, empathy and connection across the school community.
By the end of Form 6, pupils leave Pownall Hall as confident, articulate and thoughtful young people.
They are academically well prepared, socially assured and emotionally supported, with a strong sense of who they are and where they are heading. Most importantly, they move on with genuine enthusiasm for the next stage of their education.
