Prep School Curriculum

Prep School Curriculum

Bridge House Prep is committed to providing a stimulating and relevant learning experience which forms a solid foundation for the further progress of all children who pass through it. The curriculum is both engaging and innovative and seeks to meet the needs of all children with its well developed timetable. There are two classes per grade, which are specifically structured as mixed-ability classes.

Bridge House is an English-medium school, with English First Language being taught to all pupils. A fair number of our pupils have Afrikaans as their home language; hence there is a choice between advanced (home language) or standard (i.e. first additional language) from Grade 3. Because Bridge House has a number of foreign students, a third stream has been introduced from Grade 4 - assisted Afrikaans - which ensures that these immigrant pupils receive adequate support in a small class group. Conversational Xhosa has recently been added to the language curriculum.

The Prep School has a well established extramural programme, which is compulsory for all pupils. We believe that physical well being is fundamental to a healthy lifestyle, and Bridge House boasts a superb swimming pool, a large gymnasium, plus tennis courts and multiple fields for our afternoon sport programme. The other component of our extramural programme seeks to broaden the children's view of their world while at the same time fostering the development of independence and curiosity: all classes, from Grade 1-7, engage in regular, age-appropriate, curriculum-based outings and camps. Bridge House Prep seeks to extend every pupil through stimulating and contextually relevant assignments, integrated projects and extension programmes.

Individual learning styles are catered to at Bridge House. As such, our Educational Support Unit is actively involved with the class teachers in assessing, supporting and monitoring those children requiring remedial support or even individual learning programmes.

Junior Primary Phase: Grades 1-3 The focus of the Junior Primary Phase is to develop a strong foundation of Literacy and Numeracy skills through a concrete, practical and integrated approach. The curriculum has embraced the best of Outcomes Based Education with each child being encouraged to develop to his/her best ability and at his/her own individual pace. Learning takes place through problem solving and traditional methods and within class and group activities.

Senior Primary Phase: Grades 4-7 The Senior Primary Phase gradually differentiates its curriculum so that by Grade 7 - the first year of the GET phase - we assess not only English, Afrikaans and Maths, but also Social Sciences (History and Geography); Sciences (Natural Science and Life Science); ITC (Computer Studies and Design Technology); Economic Management Sciences; Arts and Culture; and Life Orientation (Life Skills and Physical Education).

Specialist Taught Subjects:

All prep children participate in the following subjects, facilitated by specialist teachers, on a weekly basis:

Music Education: Music appreciation, singing and even dance form the foundation for this curriculum. Instrumental work begins with Orff instruments and continues to include playing the recorder, and ensemble work with a wide range of instruments including the marimbas. Many pupils further develop their love for music through individual music lessons in a wide variety of instruments, including voice.

Drama Education: Much opportunity is given for personal expression in this discipline, which is largely practical in nature. Drama has played a key role in the development of confidence in the pupils throughout the school. Large-scale dramatic productions, plus an annual drama festival, as well as regular offerings in assembly, all point to the effectiveness of this component of the curriculum.

Art Education: This subject is largely practical in nature, and includes a focus on skills, techniques and a wide range of mediums.

Information Technology: All pupils have access to our state of the art Information Technology Centre. In addition to this centre, wider computer access is available to the pupils in the library, and computer cluster rooms in the prep school. The curriculum implemented in Computer Studies emphasises the application of computer skills within all aspects of the broader curriculum.

Physical Education: All pupils participate in Physical Education at an appropriate level, beginning with movement and gross motor skills through to skilled co-ordination, team work and specific sport skills.