A Supportive and Challenging Path to Exemplary Academic Success


Our ambitious curriculum is carefully crafted to unlock each child's potential and provide a solid foundation for future academic achievement.

In the Lower School, emphasis is placed on providing a smooth transition from the pre-prep years, while supporting and fostering our students' development. Children grow gradually more confident and independent, nurturing critical skills and personal qualities as they navigate our broad and aspirational syllabus.

Upper School is a time of academic rigour when pupils develop a deeper understanding across subjects, culminating in outstanding results in the Common Entrance examinations. Students take on more responsibility and become role models for the lower years while championing our values and ethos. As a result, they leave fully equipped for life in senior school and beyond.

Lower School
 

Lower School


Lower School consists of Years 3, 4 and 5. Year 3 very much mirrors the nurturing experience of pre-prep in that lessons are delivered by one holistic subject teacher and subject specialists. In Year 4, the boys begin to move from class to class for different subjects, reflecting their progress toward Upper School and greater independence. By Year 5, they are fully immersed in Wetherby Prep life and readying themselves for the rigours of Upper School. Whether in the classroom, on the sports fields or on excursions, students forge and strengthen their relationships with peers and staff members, grow evermore independent and build confidence in themselves academically, socially and emotionally.

Lower School Curriculum

Upper School
 

Upper School


In Upper School (Years 6-8), pupils work hard to prepare for the Common Entrance and Scholarship exams. Once their exams are completed, an extensive post-Common Entrance programme helps pupils look forward and prepare for life beyond prep school. 

Students constantly seek to try new things, and with a club to suit every interest, Wetherby Prep lets them do so. Boys may join invitation-only clubs (e.g., Advanced Drama) and showcase their talents and abilities (e.g., during Creative Arts Evenings). 

Our Upper School is busy and bursting with opportunity, and pupils leave Wetherby as well-rounded, driven individuals ready to take on their next chapter.

Upper School Curriculum

Subjects


Every subject is integral to our syllabus and contributes to a strong, all-rounded education. Our talented teachers bring a wealth of knowledge and outstanding credentials, which ensure that their lessons are always stimulating, interesting and inspirational, and ultimately prepare pupils to excel in senior school. 

The subjects we offer are listed below. Please click on a subject for more details.

In the Art and Design Departments, we develop individual creativity through our wealth of resources and expertise. We provide tuition in a wide range of media: painting, 3D design, woodwork, clay and wire modelling, screen printing, pastel work, ink studies, and lino reduction and 3D printing. Artwork is placed into context, Old Masters are taught alongside modern artists. Art Theory is explored and we delve into the artists’ motivations behind the works that we study. 

Classwork is enhanced by external workshops and exhibitions in a wide array of London-based galleries (e.g., the National Gallery, British Museum and V&A Museum). Professional artists (e.g., Tracey Emin, CBE, RA) regularly visit our Art Room, offering valuable insight into the life of an artist and contemporary practice. Our Advanced Artists Programme further develops our learners’ potential by helping them build a portfolio for senior school art scholarships, which many have been awarded.

Projects are designed to encompass a range of concepts and themes and be integrated into other subjects too. 

The Art Department runs daily after-school clubs in Drawing, Arts and Crafts, Design Engineering and other areas, and creative holiday clubs ranging from Design and Engineering to Painting, Drawing and Clay workshops. The annual Art Exhibition for Lower and Upper School showcases all of the work generated over the year with professional displays at various social events and exhibition evenings. 

We encourage peer work and support each other’s growth as artists and the development of our ideas. A studio-style environment allows students to explore their personal creative journeys and collaborative practice, building empathy and fostering problem-solving skills. 

The Art and Design offer extends to staff and parents, making Wetherby Prep a hive of activity and a truly creative community.

The Classics Department is responsible for teaching Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation, encompassing not only the language but also cultural, historical and mythological elements of the ancient world. The breadth of this study offers boys an insight not only into ancient cultures but also into their own; it also heightens their linguistic, logical and literary awareness, making them better students of modern languages, English, Maths and History.

Students begin Latin in Year 6. They learn why we still study Latin, its applications in the modern world and its influence on many European languages. They also establish a firm grounding in grammatical terminology, vocabulary, derivation, etymology and syntax. One-hour homework tasks are assigned weekly on vocabulary, grammar terminology, translation and mythology, and an exam based on a Common Entrance or scholarship paper is written each term. The main text used in all year groups is ISEB Latin Practice Exercises, which provides the grammatical rigour required for the Common Entrance and Scholarship levels. Additional resources such as online games and interactive learning tools form an important part of lessons for all year groups.

The Classical Greek Language Course is available to Year 6, 7 and 8 learners as a club. Its primary purpose is to cover the Common Entrance Syllabus of Classical Greek Level 1, Level 2 and/or scholarship level, including:

  • The Greek Alphabet
  • Transliteration of English words to Greek and the other way round
  • Reading and Pronunciation of Greek words
  • Derivation of many English words from Greek Language
  • Grammar A (conjugation of verbs and declensions of nouns)
  • Grammar B (tenses of verbs: present, future and imperfect)
  • Translation of shorter or longer passages from Greek to English.

At the end of each academic year, the boys who attend these lessons sit for either the Common Entrance Level 1 Classical Greek exam paper or their scholarship Classical Greek exam. This course is highly recommended for Scholarship candidates and anyone passionate about Classics.

The numerous extracurricular opportunities for drama at Wetherby include a variety of performance-related projects, optional LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) exams, poetry recitals and a weekly drama club. Years 3 and 4 have the opportunity to perform in the Lower School Nativity in December, gaining confidence on the stage and bringing the whole school community together at Christmas.

Students also learn to use drama techniques within lessons, from role-play to script writing and improvisation. Stage management and prop design also form part of the whole Drama experience, which culminates in Upper School in a pupil-led performance at the end of the spring term.

The study of English at Wetherby aims to foster a love of reading, writing and performing literature, and the ability to listen, speak, read and write for various purposes, using language to learn and communicate ideas, views and feelings. We encourage the students to talk clearly and confidently, and teach them how to listen and respond to others with courtesy.

As learners develop into critical and enthusiastic readers of stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction and media texts, we empower them to express themselves creatively and imaginatively through language. The benefits of a wide-ranging vocabulary (e.g., facilitating effective communication and enriching self-expression) are also promoted.

Children’s understanding of how language works is improved via the examination of its patterns, structures and origins. We aim to equip all pupils with a solid, coherent knowledge of syntax, grammar and punctuation using relevant and meaningful methods and resources.

Each year group explores a variety of genres and texts with a strong emphasis on in-depth classroom discussion, critical analysis and considered evaluation. As children are natural inquisitors, we aim to teach learners the ability to approach texts with an enquiring mind and analyse the purpose, layout and language of texts of all genres. We take an inclusive approach to textual study by exploring authors from other cultures, revealing the unheard voices of literature, disrupting masculinity in ‘Romeo and Juliet’, examining identity in ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, and highlighting the passion in Maya Angelou’s poetry.

Students are encouraged to use their knowledge, skills and understanding in speaking, reading and writing across a range of different situations. Achieving these objectives will ensure boys acquire the skills necessary to pass both the 11+ ISEB pre-test and the Common Entrance exams and establish a solid foundation for GCSE and A Level.

A distributive approach to literacy is promoted within the department, allowing learners to forget and therefore recall learning points, crystallising their understanding. Cross-curricular lessons are planned to dovetail themes between subjects. Learners enjoy ample opportunity to celebrate English in more practical terms with theatre trips, author talks, poetry recitals, drama workshops and competitions.

At Wetherby Prep, all students learn French. Years 3-5 focus on the spoken aspect of the language and reinforcing vocabulary, along with some basic grammar.

Upper School students receive two hours of French per week. Lessons in Years 6-8 are directly aimed at preparing them gradually for the Common Entrance examination. The French exam is divided into 4 parts: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Over the course of Year 8, each boy has the opportunity to practise individually for the Speaking section of the Common Entrance exam. This takes place on rotation during the registration period.

The French Department is comprised of five fluent French-speaking teachers, three of whom are native speakers. Activities range from French theatre workshops and Language Days, which promote language learning and teach students about the cultural aspect of learning a new language, to French breakfasts and a residential trip to Normandy in Year 6. In addition to these, we organise a French-themed day, in which many of our French-speaking parents participate and help to lead various workshops.

Homework is differentiated by ability level and includes written and learning components. Learners are regularly tested during the term and in normal examinations. Students have access to Linguascope, an interactive website supporting vocabulary learning.

Geography at Wetherby Prep prepares pupils to understand and deal with the world. It gets them to think creatively about combining variables, understand place and places, and think critically about both what is happening and the processes behind it. In addition to geographical facts and processes, pupils will learn measuring techniques, graphing and presentation conventions and ways of conducting good research, and draw compelling conclusions from collected and analysed spatial (GIS) and temporal data.

The Geography curriculum covers the Common Entrance and Scholarship programmes for entry into secondary schools. Common Entrance topics include: Population and Settlement; Industry and Transport; Tectonics (Earthquakes and Volcanoes); Geomorphology (Earth Processes and Landforms); Weather and Climate; Fieldwork Expedition; and Expedition Enquiry Write-Up.

Pupils also cover ordnance survey map reading and locational knowledge from across the world. Understanding the environmental impact of all geographical phenomena forms an important part of the course content.

Once boys commence the Common Entrance Programme, parents should acquire a copy of Geography for Common Entrance Revision Guide by Belinda Froud Yannic, from Hodder/ISB.

At the end of Year 7, learners are taken on a week-long expedition to complete fieldwork and commence their Expedition Enquiry coursework, which accounts for 20% of the Common Entrance examination result. Expedition attendance is therefore mandatory. 

History at Wetherby Prep is brought to life using a wide variety of teaching techniques: traditional historical enquiry; role-play; visits to places of historical interest; and vigorous discussion. Whilst English (and later British) History is at the core of our curriculum, our culture is placed within a European and global context through the study of wider, related themes (e.g., the Reformation or the ascendancy of European empires).

Preparation for the Common Entrance exam starts in Year 7 with the study of ‘The Making of the United Kingdom’, the Common Entrance topic. Significant emphasis is placed on the skills needed to excel in the Common Entrance exam, including extended analysis of source material, the production of sustained and written pieces and independent judgement of the topics studied.

Wetherby boys leave our school as able and confident historians, prepared to address with confidence the challenges of History at GCSE level. Whilst emphasis is placed on interactive, dynamic learning, we also expect students to learn factual history and engage in sustained academic analysis of complex themes. A high standard of presentation is expected of all students, who learn the importance of taking pride in their work.

Throughout their time at Wetherby Preparatory School, students make many historical visits to places of interest in and around London, such as the Old Operating Theatre, Imperial War Museum and Hampton Court Palace. The department also runs the Historical Society at which many topics are discussed and studied, including castle building, historical conspiracies, interpretation and the history of sport.

A selected cohort of Year 7 and 8 learners are entered for the prestigious Townsend Warner History prize each year. Wetherby Prep performed exceptionally well recently and even produced a winner in 2016.

Students are encouraged to use technology as a tool for learning in all aspects of the curriculum. Hour-long lessons throughout Years 3-8 equip learners with the skills needed to learn effectively using computers. The Turing Technology Suite, our purpose-built ICT facility, houses 20 desktop machines, and banks of laptops, Surface Go devices and iPads are available throughout the school for use in subject work, as needed. The curriculum is balanced between computer science and information technology modules, whilst continuously improving learners’ digital literacy skills.

Computer science is the study of the foundational principles and practices of computation and computational thinking, and their application in the design and development of computer systems. The curriculum teaches students how to code in various languages, as well as program and control robots, and covers pure computer science principles such as algorithms and binary maths.

Information technology deals with the creative and productive use and application of computer systems, especially in organisations, including considerations of e-safety, privacy, ethics and intellectual property. Students complete units on databases, website design, media studies and app creation, among others.

Digital literacy is taught across lessons and deals with basic functional skills like touch typing and using a mouse, email and web browser.

We value and encourage independent learning and promote the use of learning technology at home. All students use learning platforms that allow them to upload files and access resources outside school.

Technology skills are a major factor in enabling children to be thoughtful, confident, safe, creative and independent learners, and we encourage them to use information in a discriminating and effective way.

Mathematics at Wetherby Prep covers all the traditional topics, some of which have remained unchanged for centuries (e.g., Geometry, Algebra, Percentages and Statistics). With that said, we endeavour to add relevancy to each topic to ensure they remain interesting, enthuse and spark interest. Regular problem-solving helps to promote the use of logic and imagination in Maths. We aim to not only ensure learners are accepted into their chosen school but also promote self-confidence and interest in a subject deemed “Queen of the Sciences” and which is indispensable to all other subjects.

We prepare learners for the 13+ Scholarship and Common Entrance examinations, as well as the 11+ pre-test examinations. In addition to the formal testing, we use ISEB pre-testing, CATS testing and the Progress in Maths testing, all of which are done electronically. This results in the pupils attending some of the best schools in the country.

Classes are streamed from Year 4 upwards, ensuring they are small and personable and allowing each pupil to work at the correct pace.

To enhance the class lessons, we also offer Scholarship and revision classes for Year 8 and hold weekly Lower and Upper Maths Challenges. Wetherby enters teams for the annual Maths Challenges, such as the UKMT/Primary Maths Challenge, and various other competitions.

Whilst we applaud and encourage individual musical talent, we also aim to instil a firm understanding of working together within the school. Choral music serves this aim. Our approach to Choral education seeks to inspire boys to take part in many of the vocal outlets we offer in the school community, building confidence and self-esteem, and developing focus, a strong work ethic, poise and leadership qualities.

Wetherby Prep's choirs grow in number every year. Learners who wish to be part of these groups should have a fine voice, sing in tune and be able to either read music or have a good aural memory. Auditions for choir are held at the beginning of each term.

Our Chamber Choir is an invitation-only club for boys in Years 5-8. Here they tackle advanced choral works and close harmony pieces. Members are expected to have an excellent vocal tone and accurate intonation, and the ability to sight-sing is greatly beneficial. They are also expected to attend all rehearsals of either the Wetherby Voices or Wetherby Choir depending on their age and know all their music well in advance of rehearsals through private practice.

Each form class has weekly music lessons where they learn basic choral and vocal techniques, including posture, correct breathing, diction and enunciation. Each class practises traditional hymns for Friday Assembly and learns the basic elements of music theory and notation using the Kodaly Method in Go for Bronze, Silver and Gold (NYCOS). A foundation in physical and theoretical technique translates perfectly into instrumental studies, not only in individual instrumental lessons but also in class-based ensemble work and accompaniment.

Our extensive programme of events at Wetherby Prep gives every boy an opportunity to perform, regardless of their chosen instrument, from Breakfast Concerts to Instrumental Competitions. The Junior School Nativity and the Senior School Carol Service are highlights of the school calendar, along with other exciting events such as the turning on of the Marylebone Christmas lights, charity concerts, in-house recitals and our end-of-year prize-giving ceremony.

We are very lucky at Wetherby Prep to have a fantastic team of peripatetic instrumental and vocal teachers. They are all meticulous educators, working on basic foundations of technique and musicianship, with a particular focus on notation reading. Individual music lessons take place during the course of the school day. It is understood that learners will retrieve missed work from class where necessary of their own accord. Students may choose from a wide variety of instrument options, including flute, oboe, clarinet, violin, cello, guitar, percussion, piano and others. 

Instrumentalists of all ages and stages are welcome in our Chamber Orchestra, where students enjoy playing a broad selection of music from classical to Coldplay.

In Theology, Philosophy and Religion (TPR), learners are encouraged to develop their knowledge and understanding of the main living faiths. Through debates and discussions, they begin to reflect on and evaluate their personal beliefs and show tolerance and respect for people of all faiths.

In Year 3, they study stories from the Bible. Year 4 and 5 students explore the origins, beliefs, celebrations, texts, ethical codes and worship in the six major religions, beginning with Hinduism and then moving through the Abrahamic faiths.

In Years 6-8, they follow the Common Entrance syllabus. We aim to educate students about religious and philosophical ideas by reading religious texts, examining religious beliefs, practices and ethics, and encouraging connections to be made between them.

Students have the opportunity to reflect on these ideas by examining a range of contemporary issues that encourage them to consider religious and other responses to morality. They examine texts from both the Old and the New Testament, acquire knowledge of the foundational biblical texts of the Judeo-Christian tradition, discuss themes and consider the influence of beliefs, values and traditions on moral issues today.

A variety of teaching approaches are employed to ensure that the students excel in their studies. Art, drama and various written tasks help them to develop an understanding of the philosophical and ethical debates inherent in the study of religion.

As a subject, Science incorporates thinking skills in lessons and schemes of work. The following strategies are employed to develop pupils’ understanding and scientific knowledge: speaking, creative and critical thinking, reflective learning and independent enquiry. The Science Department’s ethos is that pupils should be experiencing enquiry-based learning, and learners are expected to design creative scientific questions, investigate and communicate their findings. To support these outcomes, we have a fully stocked modern Prep Room, a qualified Science Technician, and three well-resourced Science laboratories.

In Lower School, the scheme of work follows the new National Curriculum guidelines. However, we exceed the requirements for the delivery of the Science curriculum to achieve success at the end of each Key Stage and in the Common Entrance exam. In the Upper School, the scheme of work follows the QCA guidelines. 

The Science department is proud to provide trips and workshop opportunities across year groups, including a virtual reality workshop, the Wellington College ‘Chemistry Spectacular Show’, a masterclass workshop with Dr Sheila Kanani and more.

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Learn more about our ambitious curriculum and we how cultivate success across all subjects.