Pridwin Preparatory School

In the Junior Prep, our approach to learning is varied and takes into consideration the different ways in which young children learn and develop. This includes the understanding that children possess individual learning styles, process information differently, develop at their own rate and require support from their teachers that is suited to their needs. In addition, we aim to create effective learning environments, where pupils can feel valued and in which they are encouraged to become aware of their own thinking processes, as well as strategies they can master for future academic success.

We understand that learning and thinking is essentially an active process, in which children are continually building on their nascent ideas about the world around them, and developing ever more complex ideas, which they explore through their play and classroom learning. We are inspired by some of the practices of the Reggio Emilia schools in northern Italy and the philosophy that children should play some part in their own learning journey. We also take into account the results of recent research in the fields of education and neuroscientific studies into brain development and learning. Through the grades, we focus on ensuring the consolidation of underlying skills and strategies and make use of various tools to develop creative and critical thinking. Our mission is to develop boys that are confident, creative and can communicate effectively, and we use subject content as a vehicle to teach these vital life skills.

Experimentation is encouraged through the life skills programme, leading to the development of creative thinking, planning and problem-solving skills, testing boundaries and encouraging risk taking. It aims to develop social skills, including leadership, negotiation, conflict management, flexibility and empathy. Opportunities for child-initiated and -led inquiries are created.

Teachers design their termly programme around varied themes. Themes offer an interesting vehicle through which teachers can ensure that skills learned in literacy and numeracy are transferred and applied to different contexts. Children are encouraged to bring information and objects from home and opportunities for knowledge sharing and project work are created.

Educational grade outings are arranged once a term. These are often linked to themes that take place in the classroom. Shows and programmes that are presented at school are also considered outings.

The life skills programme also incorporates Philosophy for Children, Art, ITC, Music and Physical Education, which are usually taught by specialist teachers.

At Pridwin, each boy is challenged and encouraged to reach his potential through a range of activities. Learning and innovation skills are increasingly being recognised and developed. Our vision is to prepare our boys adequately for the high schools of their choice and also to produce boys that are confident, creative and effective communicators.

Pridwin endeavours to attract highly qualified, motivated and dedicated teachers. In Grades 4 and 5, the emphasis is on nurturing and therefore the class teacher is mostly responsible for learning. From Grade 6, the boys are exposed to specialist teachers where the emphasis is on subject teaching.

In addition to these subjects, Life Skills such as entrepreneurial opportunities, problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, IT, developing self-esteem and study skills round off the holistic curriculum. Remedial assistance is also available on campus.

We acknowledge that we live in a technology- and media-immersed world with access to an abundance of information, rapid changes in technological tools, and the ability to collaborate and make individual contributions to society. To be effective, Pridwin has state-of-the-art computer and robotics centres. iPads are allocated to every grade. We have a specialised internally-developed Technology curriculum that is followed from Grade 0 through to Grade 7, and the skills that are developed are integrated into the other subjects.

The academic curriculum comes alive and is given relevance through the use of different technological resources, such as interactive whiteboards and Apple TV, in every classroom. The library is well stocked for leisure and research purposes.

Our pupils regularly take part in a number of benchmarking assessments. Our Grade 4s write the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) assessments; our Grade 4 to 7 boys compete in the Mathematics and English Olympiads; and the Grade 7s write the ISASA Standardised Assessment Tasks (SATs), which benchmark the standards for English, Mathematics and 1st additional languages.

Pridwin has a unique Grade 7 Leadership Development Programme. Our Life Skills curriculum develops the boys’ leadership skills based on leadership teacher and author Jim Collins’s Good to Great Level 5 leadership qualities. Our boys attend a leadership camp in the beginning of their final year, where they learn and apply these attributes. All the boys are given the opportunity over the first two terms to demonstrate their leadership skills by becoming monitors, who are given responsibilities and are accountable for servicing the school. In the 3rd term, the Grade 6 and 7 boys, as well as the teaching staff, vote for the best performers in leadership and they are formally given monitor status.