Preparatory

Welcome to Hillcrest Prep School

At Hillcrest Prep, we believe that learning is an interactive and exciting journey of discovery. If children enjoy learning, they will carry this attribute through to the rest of their lives. Recognising that every child is unique and has their own learning style, our talented teaching staff support all learning styles and levels through a wide variety of learning activities.

By combining our individualised approach and wide-ranging learning opportunities with our family-oriented setting, our pupils are nurtured in a safe and secure environment. This combination brings out the best in every student who comes through our doors.

It is our mission to ensure every child achieves their full potential; not only academically, but also more broadly on a social basis as well as in exploring and excelling in diverse fields outside the classroom. Our holistic approach to the curriculum balances strong academics with the arts and sports. This is amplified with an extensive activities programme, allowing pupils to pursue their interests and develop new strengths and enthusiasms at a relatively young age. Every child has the opportunity to perform in our drama, dance and music productions as well as in a very extensive programme of sports fixtures and events.

Our campus offers excellent facilities to meet the needs of every child: sports fields, a swimming pool, a newly designed Fab lab and beautiful library, music rooms and a learning support centre.

A truly international community, with a large diversity of cultures and backgrounds, we have built our school on a philosophy of inclusion, where every child feels a sense of belonging. Our children learn to work together as a team, in all spheres, and to depend on each other as members of the Hillcrest family.

Overall, our aim is to set our pupils on the road to becoming successful global citizens, who are respectful and considerate of others, and who have a sense of curiosity to explore new opportunities as well as a determination to excel.

I encourage you to come and visit the school to see what we can offer your child.

Surbhi Vashisht
Head of Prep School

Curriculum

At Hillcrest Prep, we follow the British Curriculum, also known as the National Curriculum for England, as well as the Common Entrance syllabus for pupils in Years 7–8. Within this framework, we contextualise our learning to make the most of the rich opportunities offered by the environment in which we live, both in Kenya and more widely across Africa.

Broad Subject

Our curriculum is broad, and all pupils study the academic subjects: English, Mathematics, Science (from Year 7 as separate subjects: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics), Geography, History (also known as Topic for Years 2–6), Modern Foreign Languages, as well as Computing and Personal Social Health Education (PSHE). All pupils also enjoy weekly curriculum time in Art, Design Technology, Drama, Music, Games and Physical Education.

Project Based

By running a wide variety of enquiry based projects throughout the year we encourage independent learning as well as the opportunity for pupils to explore areas of personal interest to a greater depth. Pupils further benefit from hands-on and stimulating learning environments in some remarkable locations through our frequent school trips.

Language Learning

The approach to language learning in the younger years focuses on pupils enjoying and gaining confidence in communicating in languages other than their own. All pupils at Hillcrest Prep learn French and Kiswahili from Year 2.

Balanced

This balanced curriculum, together with the extensive activities programme, allows pupils to pursue their interests and develop new strengths and enthusiasms at a relatively young age.

Individual Attention

By setting pupils with their abilities in many subjects, we are able to cater for the needs of each child and ensure that all pupils learn at a rate consistent with their abilities. Our small class sizes enable teachers to give pupils the individual attention needed to maximise every child’s potential as we strive to help all pupils develop good study habits and a real love of learning.

The heads of Junior School (Years 2–4) and Senior School (Years 5–8) oversee all teaching. Each department is run by a subject-specialist head, and departments are well resourced with subject-oriented material. Our well-stocked and vibrant library, modern Information Technology Center, well-equipped Design Technology and Art Departments and a Music Centre ensure pupils are fully supported in all areas.

Progress Monitored

Pupil’s academic progress is monitored closely against baseline assessments taken at the start of each academic year. Continuous assessments are made by class and subject teachers, allowing for any gaps or difficulties to be identified and dealt with at an early stage. All pupils sit formative and summative assessments three times a year to monitor progress and identify any areas of difficulty. To inform teacher planning, these assessments are analysed and specific targets are set for each child.

Parent Involvemnet

Parents are a vital part of each child’s development, and we work closely with you, giving termly written feedback and meeting formally twice a year, as well as having an open door policy where you are invited to discuss your child’s progress at any time.