Settled, then confident, then curious
We start from wellbeing. A child who feels settled and cared for grows in confidence, and that confidence is what makes them curious, engaged and ready to achieve. Everything here is built in that order.
Children of all ages know and support each other
Classes are deliberately small, with plenty of support in each classroom, so relationships form quickly and no one gets lost in the crowd. Children across the age groups know and support each other in lessons, at playtimes and in activities, and that sense of belonging underpins everything that follows.
We celebrate children with a wide range of abilities and interests, and our weekly Friday celebration assemblies make sure every success is noticed. The quiet reader, the budding scientist and the child who comes alive in the sea all matter equally here. Head of Prep School Mr Andrew Trythall and his team know each child as an individual.
We do not test children at the door
Kingsley Prep is proudly non-selective and truly inclusive, and we welcome transfer-in families throughout the year. High-quality SEND provision is embedded in daily classroom practice, so support for children with mild to moderate needs is simply part of how every lesson is taught.
For children with more complex neurodiverse profiles, including autism, our purpose-built Connect Centre offers specialist expertise within a nurturing environment. Children with additional needs and their classmates learn side by side, with and from one another.
We are Devon and Cornwall's only CReSTeD-accredited school, the national recognition for schools that support pupils with dyslexia and specific learning differences.
Character valued as highly as academic progress
Happy children learn best, so wellbeing is woven through every layer of school life, and we are proud holders of the nationally recognised Wellbeing Award for Schools.
Through initiatives such as Girls on Board, children are supported in navigating friendships, building trust and showing kindness. Children leave Prep with self-esteem, empathy and a clear sense of who they are.
A Core Curriculum, and an Expansive Curriculum taught by specialists
Stretch and challenge are carefully balanced against support, so that every child achieves their best.
Firm foundations, with dedicated daily reading tracked through our Accelerated Reading programme.
Differentiated work with high expectations at every stage.
Enriched by programmes such as robotics, building creativity and collaboration.
Taught by specialists across the Expansive Curriculum.
Specialist teaching from the earliest years.
Running through school life, with instrumental lessons from Year 2.
Outdoor learning on our own grounds, week in, week out.
Environmental education rooted in the Earth Centre and Ecology Zone.
The coast is on our doorstep, and we make full use of it
Kingsley was the first school in Europe to fully integrate surfing into education. Children build water confidence in the Early Years and progress to surfing from Year 1 through our Surf Academy.
Learning outdoors continues on our own grounds through Forest School and environmental education, where children take safe risks, work together and discover the natural world around them. Prep pupils also benefit from access to Senior School specialist sports staff and facilities, with a broad programme including tag rugby, football, judo, netball, gymnastics and athletics.
Frequently asked questions
What ages does Prep cover?
Kingsley Prep provides an inclusive education from Early Years through to Year 6, with our Nursery and Pre Prep welcoming the youngest children before they move up through the school.
Is it selective?
No. Kingsley Prep is proudly non-selective, there is no testing at the door, and we welcome transfer-in families at any point in the year.
How do you support SEND?
High-quality SEND provision is embedded in daily classroom practice, so support for mild to moderate needs is part of how every lesson is taught. For more complex profiles, our purpose-built Connect Centre offers specialist expertise within a nurturing environment.
Northdown Road, Bideford