5 things you didn’t know about us
Five things you didn’t know about Giggleswick Prep School.
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1. We have a fun and vibrant extended day to 6pm, perfect for working parents
All children from Reception to Year 6 stay at school until 4.00pm. An optional co-curriculum programme runs from 4.00pm to 5.20pm, this includes Prep and then a cooked tea at 5.00pm.
If you need a later collection, children can carry on their fun co-curricular activities after tea and be ready for the bus home, or collection, at 6.00pm.
In addition to academic learning, our varied curriculum includes weekly outdoor pursuits, two hours of music (including a session to learn a musical instrument within their class), science lessons in our own dedicated, fully equipped laboratory, and art in our studio, complete with kiln and 3D printer. It also encompasses; four hours of sport each week, from team sports such as rugby, netball and hockey to cricket with specialist coaches, as well as entrepreneurship, coding, swimming, music and yoga.
This wrap-around care until 6.00pm is included in our fees.
Children also complete their reading and homework during this extended day, supported by teachers, so parents are free to enjoy quality family time at home, not refresh their numeracy skills! Not only is this timetable better for working parents, we love it because it reinforces that learning is fun.
2. We’re easy to get to with a child-friendly mini-bus service
No more stressful school-runs, our dedicated 'parent-to-door' mini-bus service means you don’t need to travel far, while your child gets to travel to school with their friends and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Our mini-buses are owned by us (so we’re easy to spot) and our drivers make additional arrangements for our youngest pupils. Nine routes include Levens via Kirkby Lonsdale, Grassington, Skipton, Ilkley, Foulridge via Colne, Clitheroe, Wray via the Lune Valley and Menwith Hill. All drivers are DBS checked and part of the Giggleswick family.
3. We work with Microsoft
We are a Microsoft Showcase School and as such all of our teachers access world-leading training provided by the company. All children have access to their own device to ensure it can be used for any area of the curriculum, at all times. This begins in Reception because in today’s world, we believe teaching children to use technology safely and responsibly can’t wait until they’re teenagers. Most recently, Year 3 visited New York virtually!
So as you can see, you don’t just go to school at Giggleswick. Whether children are just embarking on their education or are preparing for the next step, they can really throw themselves in!
4. We have dedicated areas for reflection
Wellbeing isn’t an afterthought, it’s at the heart of what we do. We believe that looking after a child’s wellbeing, not only comes before academic success, but also lays the foundation on which achievement can be built. Your child can’t learn when they aren’t happy! We have dedicated areas indoors and outdoors for reflection, so that children can use the mindfulness techniques they’ve been taught in the classroom. We teach Yoga and all staff have been trained by Compass Phoenix, a charity which provides health and wellbeing services for children, families and communities. We also train pupils to be ‘wellbeing champions’ which means they are well equipped to support each other!
5. We have our own indoor climbing wall
Giggleswick is lucky to have a dedicated Head of Outdoor Pursuits which means activities such as orienteering and raft building are commonplace but pride of place is our state-of-the-art indoor climbing wall. By Year 6 your child will have achieved a National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme certificate, be able to tie themselves into a harness and successfully belay another child up and down the wall! We’re sure you’ll agree this is fantastic for concentration skills, teamwork and self-confidence. All children, including Reception, receive Outdoor Pursuits sessions as well as being part of our extended sports programme.