Welcome to Pre-Prep

Tockington Manor’s Pre-Prep (or Lower School) encompasses Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. With our small classes of no more than 20 children and excellent teaching by passionate staff, we can work towards our goal of instilling a love of learning for life in your child.

We focus on helping them to become readers and writers, confident in early numeracy and with well-developed social skills. Our broad curriculum combines collaborative work, structured play and practical activities, all making use of our excellent facilities. In keeping with the school’s outdoor ethos, much of our learning and development takes place in our 28-acre grounds, where there are endless opportunities for the children to explore. 

What we learn

High standards of teaching and learning are the basis for our success and at this stage, children become increasingly independent and active participants in their education. In Reception, we focus on the seven areas of learning and development within the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. These are complemented by specialist teaching in French, Spanish, Music and Swimming. In Year 1 and Year 2, children are taught specific subjects to further their social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Early exposure to technology in the classroom sets them up well for our advanced ICT provision further up the school.  

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Starting at TMS

Children who are due to start Reception will be invited to join us for transition sessions during the Summer Term prior to starting at the school. Teachers and Teaching Assistants are on hand to help children settle very quickly at Tockington Manor. Children who start mid-year or further up the school will be given a ‘buddy’ for their first week in school to provide advice and guidance on the practicalities of life at Tockington. This helps them make friends and we find new children to settle in very quickly.

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Making The Most Of Every Moment

Nestled in the countryside just north of Bristol, Tockington Manor School’s location and excellent facilities offer every opportunity for the children to live up to our school motto of ‘Making the Most of Every Moment’. From the pond areas that are ideal for wildlife investigations to our bird boxes and rose garden, the grounds are a wonderful place to make memories as they learn. An all-weather astro pitch provides a safe space for weekly games while interactions with older children throughout the school year encourage a sense of belonging.

Whether embraced by the nurturing environment of the classroom or inspired by the healthy competition on the sports fields, your child will be encouraged to be the very best they can be; to explore their own talents; and build their confidence before moving into our Upper School.

Our Learning Spaces

The Reception classrooms are on the ground floor of the Meade Building, an old stone structure with lovely character. The interconnected rooms allow regular interaction between our two classes, which frequently spill out onto the Colonnade and garden to enjoy the sunshine or an afternoon snack in the fresh air. Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms are upstairs on the first floor and are also interconnected. All classrooms are bright and airy and furnished with equipment for teaching and learning, specially designed to deliver the Early Years and Key Stage 1 curriculums.

Healthy Eating

We are committed to ensuring our children grow up understanding how to make good choices in their food. All our delicious meals are cooked fresh on-site in our school kitchen, often using ingredients grown in our garden! We work closely with the catering team to develop seasonal menus which support educational and nutritional needs. We believe it’s not just what you eat that is important but also the environment in which you eat it. All children in the school eat meals in our dining hall, learning table manners and exploring new tastes from a young age.

Wraparound Care

Beyond providing the very best education for your child, we want to make life easier for parents – providing flexibility to meet your family’s needs is what makes us unique. Our extended days can start from as early as 7:45 am with breakfast, and finish as late as 6:30 pm with supper – this is included in the termly fee. If your child would like to participate in a club after school, we have a diverse and wide-ranging choice of activities for them to choose from including Street Dance, Art, Tennis Skills and Book Club. Visit our Clubs page below more information.

The Tockington Family

Tockington is very much more than just a school. It is a very special place whose uniqueness comes from the special blend of a stunning countryside setting, warm, dedicated staff and a family-centred environment. When you join us, you become part of a community where strong bonds form between pupils, teachers and parents – ‘Homely’ is the term most often used to describe us. There is a warmth within the school that can only truly be experienced by visiting us! Our Headmaster would love to show you around, or you can click here to download a prospectus.

Discover what children in our Pre-Prep classes do throughout their year! Click on the buttons below to read the relevant articles from our 2024-2025 Tockingtonian school magazine.