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Holme Grange School is an independent preparatory school for girls and boys aged 3-16 years set in 21 acres of Wokingham countryside. There are four parts to the school. Little Grange, Pre - Prep, Prep and Eaton Grange.

Little Grange - the School Day in Little Grange starts at 8.15am and children can stay up to 5.50pm dependent upon the hours they have chosen to remain in the Nursery each day. Lunch is held with the children in the Pre Prep, in the main School building and Little Grange walk across to the dining room. Care is available in Little Grange for 50 weeks a year through the extended care provision in the School.

Specialist sessions are timetabled throughout the week, which take place in the main School and are delivered by teachers in the School. These sessions include: Music / Movement / Sport / ICT Cooking takes place within the Little Grange building and Forest School occurs weekly in the School grounds. Afternoon sessions begin at 1pm and children may finish at 4pm or remain in school for After School Care until 5.50pm.

The Little Grange learning experience follows the Early Years Foundation stage 1 which is designed to inspire every child both inside and outside the classroom, within 7 defined learning areas:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development Communication and Language Physical Development Literacy Expressive Arts and Design Mathematics Understanding the World

The spacious purpose-built facility provides Early Years education with additional wet, messy and construction areas, a sensory room, a transition room and outdoor learning areas. There is a new play area and garden to allow the 3 and 4 year olds to explore further and enrich their learning both inside and outside.

Two enclosed play areas are directly accessible from the nursery building. The children can play on the bikes and ride on toys in the front area and the climbing frame in the back garden, whatever the weather.In the Summer term the children go on an outing to a place of natural interest, such as a farm or a nature reserve. Back at nursery they learn about growth by planting herbs and seeds and then looking after them as they grow.

Children receive specialist teaching in ICT, music, gymnastics and PE.

ICT is taught in the main school computer suite and the children are able to learn basic mouse skills and produce pieces of artwork which are often displayed around the school. In addition, the nursery has three computers equipped with a variety of educational programmes.

Music lessons are held in the music school where the children have the opportunity to sing in a group. They are also able to explore a variety of instruments and begin to work on producing rhythms and sounds.

A gymnastic teacher takes the children for a weekly session of gym based exercise in the school sports hall. The children also have a PE session in the main school, either using the outdoor all weather facilities or equipment in the sports hall.

Weekly lessons in ballet are a option for many boys and girls, the lessons are held in the performing arts room in the main school.

Little Grange put on aprons and take turns at cooking each week. Working in small groups with a teacher, the children learn to mix, roll and stir up some treats. To date they have made oat biscuits, jelly, ginger bread, muffins and a special feast to celebrate Chinese New Year.

There are two hamsters, a guinea pig and a rabbit. The children learn to care for their every day needs and become aware of how to handle and feed them. Hoppy the rabbit loves to be taken for walks and to join in activities with the children.

In the Spring Term some duck eggs are incubated as part of the topic, knowledge and understanding of the world. The children watch the eggs hatch and see the fluffy chicks in their pen before they are returned to the farm. Forest School Children in Little Grange will participate in Forest School on a regular basis and when they join Reception class will engage on a weekly basis.

Forest School is an process that offers children regular opportunities through hands-on learning in a woodland environment. Forest School can contribute to four of the five outcomes that are part of the Government framework “Every child matters”, namely to:

be healthy stay safe enjoy and achieve make a positive contribution There are several key aspects to Forest School that differentiate it from many other outdoor education activities.

The use of a woodland (and therefore ‘wild’) setting A high ratio of adults to pupils Learning linked to the National Curriculum and Foundation-Stage objectives The freedom to explore using multiple senses Regular contact for the children over a significant period of time (including all year round and in all weathers).

Forest School is based upon the early childhood principles of freedom in play, creativity, socialisation skills and emotional stability.

RECEPTION The Reception Year have two classes, each staffed by a qualified teacher and a teaching assistant. Emphasis is placed on English and Mathematics. The curriculum is supported by a broad range of activities and subjects, building skills to support future learning within the school.

The Reception learning experience follows the Early Years Foundation stage 2 which is designed to inspire every child both inside and outside the classroom, within 7 defined learning areas:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development Communication and Language Physical Development Literacy Expressive Arts and Design Mathematics Understanding the World