From the Headmaster’s study
Small Classes, Big Foundations
Headmaster Tom Gregory writes:
A recent Times Educational Supplement article highlighted the benefits schools are now seeing after reducing their Reception class sizes. Improved communication, growing independence and smoother progress into Year 1, and beyond, were central themes.
These are the very strengths that have defined St Andrew’s Prep’s Early Years approach for years. 
Small classes are not a new initiative for us. They are a long‑established part of how we teach and nurture young children. With a qualified teacher and dedicated assistants in every Reception class, each child receives focused attention from the moment they arrive. This structure allows for individualised attention as well as the immediate identification of speech, language, motor‑skill or learning needs. Add to this the strong relationships we build with families through time, care and consistency, and it becomes clear why our pupils make above‑average progress and achieve exceptional outcomes throughout their Prep School journey.
Those strong beginnings stay with them too. Our current Year 1 and Year 2 pupils are performing above national averages, a clear reflection of the secure foundations built in Pre‑School and Reception. And because small classes continue throughout the Prep School, children keep that momentum. They continue to benefit from high‑quality personalised teaching, rapid and well‑targeted intervention, consistent nurturing of confidence and independence and an environment where no child is ever lost in the crowd. The result is a smooth transition into more formal learning and a love of school that truly lasts.
For parents considering the right start for their child, this approach, which is our approach, offers something special: individual attention, stability and a school environment where every child feels known and valued.
