Pre-Prep: Reception, Year 1 & Year 2

The September after their fourth birthday, our Nursery children move up into Reception where they are joined by a number of external applicants who are joining St. Helen's College for the first time.

In our pre-prep classes we have generous staff to pupil numbers, with a ratio of 1:8 in Reception and 1:12 in Year 1 and Year 2, assisted by extra floating staff in all classes where necessary. This means that the children can make rapid progress in their learning, as well as having lots of fun!

The pre-prep is very much part of the whole school and takes part in all of the whole school events such as the annual Speech Competition, Sports Days, charity days and themed curriculum days.

In Reception we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and most children achieve the highest points on the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile.

Throughout our pre-prep classes, core subjects are taught by class teachers, who take primary responsibility for each child's pastoral care and development. Reception and Year 1 children have specialist teachers in Drama, Spanish, Music and PE/Games. In Year 2, when they transfer to our Upper School site, the children also begin to have art lessons in our wonderful art studio, taught by our specialist art teacher.

The curriculum is very vibrant thanks to our dedicated and creative staff, who teach educational skills in a playful way. Teaching develops throughout Reception to become more formal in Year 1 and Year 2. We have interactive whiteboards in every class, along with special computing and IT resources and weekly computing lessons. Children have access to a well-stocked library and wonderful outdoor play and discovery areas.

There are opportunities for children to take part in co-curricular clubs and activities and to take individual music tuition, and we have Lower School Choir for pupils in Reception and Year 1 and Junior Choir for children in Year 2 and Year 3.

News

Posted on: 9/01/2026

New Year's Resolutions: Building Healthy Attitudes to Goal Setting by Ms Matthews

As the calendar flips to a new year, many of us will likely have paused to set intentions and goals. While people often jest that New Year’s resolutions are famously short-lived, research shows that the process of setting goals itself can foster healthier attitudes and improved wellbeing. Resolutions can encourage self-reflection and a forward-looking mindset. They prompt us to think about what matters most, whether it’s physical health, kindness, learning or connection. Resolutions can also strengthen mental and emotional wellbeing, by giving us a sense of purpose and direction. Studies on goal setting suggest that having clear intentions for the year ahead can reduce feelings of stagnation and increase self-confidence. Each small success builds momentum, reminding us that positive change is possible and within reach. Importantly though, this isn’t just true for adults. Family-centric research shows that when parents model goal setting and involve their children in setting their own goals, both parents and children can benefit. A recent poll on children’s health found that many parents who set goals - including at New Year - believe it helps their children learn how to work toward something meaningful and supports them in developing other important values and skills. St. Helen’s College has long emphasised the notion that child-led goals are often the most powerful – a view supported by educational and psychological research. Indeed, when children choose resolutions they care about - like reading more, playing actively or trying a new hobby – they are more likely to remain engaged. This sense of autonomy and growth mindset supports intrinsic motivation, which is, in turn, linked to greater confidence and sustained effort. However, this doesn’t mean that we as adults should step away entirely from the goal-setting process. Instead, research points to a specific style that works particularly well – ‘autonomy support’. Autonomy-supportive adults guide children through the goal-setting process by asking questions, offering choices and providing meaningful feedback, all without imposing their own vision of what the child should achieve. For example, rather than telling a child “You need to improve your Maths grade this year," an autonomy-supportive approach involves asking questions like "Is there anything you would like to work on this year?" or "What would make you feel proud of yourself this year?" Once a child identifies their own goal, we as adults can then help break it down into smaller, manageable steps and provide encouragement along the way. Setting goals with children also teaches fundamental life skills such as self-discipline, gratitude, perseverance, collaboration and resilience: the pillars on which our values curriculum is built here at St. Helen’s College. Even the most simple, achievable targets can give children a deep sense of accomplishment and help to build their self-esteem. So, to make our 2026 resolutions count – be they for ourselves or for our children – we should focus on realistic, positive, and measurable goals. Instead of setting ourselves overwhelming aspirations or planning to eat less chocolate for the year (again!), it is far better to choose a few meaningful objectives and celebrate the small wins along the way. Ultimately though, most New Year’s resolutions should perhaps be less about dramatic transformations and more about intentional living. When they are flexible, kind and aligned with personal values, resolutions can be a powerful tool to nurture healthier attitudes, support wellbeing and set the tone for a more balanced and fulfilling year ahead. A simple change of mindset can shift the narrative from perfection to progress - encouraging a healthier attitude toward personal growth that can last far beyond January! Ms Matthews, Head of Pre-Prep Research links: Adaptive Goal Processes and Underlying Motives That Sustain Mental Wellbeing and New Year Exercise Resolutions | MDPI Resolving to be involved: Goal-setting for parents and kids | National Poll on Children's Health

Posted on: 28/11/2025

Pre-Prep: Reception, Year 1 & Year 2

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New Year's Resolutions: Building Healthy Attitudes to Goal Setting by Ms Matthews

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