St Columba's College Preparatory Department
A broad education delivered through good teaching means that boys become well educated and mature learners. In particular, their ability to think prepares them well for their future education and enables them to take responsibility for much of their own work.
(Quote from the Prep part of The Independent Schools Inspectorate Report, November 2006)
St Columba's College Preparatory and Pre-Preparatory Departments provide independent, day education for boys. We are committed to achieving high academic standards, excellence in pastoral care, the promotion of the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church and the all round development of the child - academically, spiritually and morally.
All staff in school work as colleagues of the Brothers of The Sacred Heart and we are committed to their Charism - it is this which makes the St. Columba's College community a special one in which to educate boys from 4 to 18. The staffing and management structure of the Prep Department reflects the care and attention all boys receive during their time here as pupils. The Prep School provides subject specialist teaching, form teachers for each form, an Academic Deputy who oversees the curriculum and a Pastoral Deputy who attends to the pastoral needs of all the boys.
There is a two form entry from 4 to 11. This maintains small sized teaching groups and we have good facilities and resources. Setting for Maths takes place from Prep 1 onwards. English is set in Prep 3 and 4 only. This facilitates smaller teaching groups and extra contact with pupils by their teachers.
Education is very much a partnership between home and school and there is a diary of regular reporting and consultation for parents. To support the development of the boys, we offer a range of experiences and opportunities outside normal classroom teaching, in the form of after school clubs, visits off site and residential school journeys.