Curriculum
Finborough has the perfect mix of history and ‘state of the art’. Our classrooms have the period features from its life as Finborough Hall, teamed beautifully with Interactive Whiteboards, Chromebooks and iPads.
At our Prep School, we provide a broad and balanced curriculum that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning. Our aim is to provide children with a strong foundation across a wide range of subjects while offering opportunities for hands-on learning and real-world experiences.
Opportunities for outside learning are vast, and as pupils walk down into the woods to have lessons it is often like a scene from The Famous Five. We believe that all of these features allow pupils to gain the best of both worlds. Whilst they have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the latest technology, they are also taught to understand the importance of Digital Civility.
We are fortunate not to be constrained by the National Curriculum, but we use it as a guide to inform our excellent teaching. Teachers follow interests and topic themes, enjoying educational trips to support their learning.
All Prep School classes enjoy dedicated reading, spelling and arithmetic time throughout each week – regularly culminating in some friendly competition through the class readathon and house competitions.
Subjects Taught
Children in the Prep School are taught a variety of subjects by their class teacher, ensuring continuity and a strong understanding of each child’s progress. These subjects include:
English
Guided Reading
Spelling
Mathematics
Science
Computing
Topic (History and Geography)
French
Subjects Taught by Specialist Teachers
To provide expert instruction and deeper learning in key areas, we employ specialist teachers for the following subjects:
Art
Music
Drama
Sport
PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education)
We believe that rich, hands-on experiences play a crucial role in deepening students’ understanding and enjoyment of the curriculum. Each year group participates in a range of exciting workshops and educational visits, carefully chosen to complement and enhance classroom learning.



Explore Year Group Highlights
Prep 3
In Prep 3, children begin the year with a lively European Day workshop, which brings their Autumn term topic on Europe to life through interactive activities, cultural exploration and themed projects. Later in the term, an external company delivers an engaging Stone Age workshop where pupils explore life as early humans, handle replica artefacts and take part in immersive historical activities. In the Summer term, the children visit Africa Alive, a wildlife park where they explore African animals and habitats first-hand, supporting their Science topic on living things and their environments.
Prep 4
Prep 4 deepens historical understanding with a dynamic Viking workshop delivered by visiting specialists. This hands-on experience allows pupils to dress in costume, examine Viking tools and weaponry and learn about Norse life through storytelling and drama. The class also visits the Time and Tide Museum in Great Yarmouth, where they explore local Viking history through interactive exhibits. In the Spring term, a trip to the Tower of London gives pupils the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of famous monarchs as part of their topic on ‘Great’ British Kings. To round off the year, pupils take part in an educational workshop at Legoland, where they explore the achievements of the Ancient Maya civilisation and take part in a STEAM-themed learning session, combining creativity with technology and problem-solving.
Prep 4
Prep 4 deepens historical understanding with a dynamic Viking workshop delivered by visiting specialists. This hands-on experience allows pupils to dress in costume, examine Viking tools and weaponry and learn about Norse life through storytelling and drama. The class also visits the Time and Tide Museum in Great Yarmouth, where they explore local Viking history through interactive exhibits. In the Spring term, a trip to the Tower of London gives pupils the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of famous monarchs as part of their topic on ‘Great’ British Kings. To round off the year, pupils take part in an educational workshop at Legoland, where they explore the achievements of the Ancient Maya civilisation and take part in a STEAM-themed learning session, combining creativity with technology and problem-solving.
Prep 5
The Prep 5 curriculum is enriched by a residential adventure trip to Caythorpe Court in Lincolnshire, where pupils build teamwork, resilience and independence through a wide range of outdoor challenges. Back in the classroom, history is brought to life through a whole-day Ancient Greek workshop run by specialists, featuring drama, storytelling and ancient artefacts. To support their historical studies further, pupils visit the British Museum, where they explore galleries related to Ancient Greece and hunt down and ponder the ethics related to the relics of the British Empire. Science is also brought to life when a mobile planetarium visits the school, offering a full-day immersive experience exploring the solar system and beyond. In the Summer term, children visit a local woodland as part of their study of forestry, biodiversity and ecosystems. A highlight of the Spring term is their participation in Young Voices at the O2 Arena, where pupils perform as part of a massed choir – a truly unforgettable musical experience.
Prep 6
In their final year of Prep School, pupils take part in a residential trip to Bawdsey Manor in Suffolk, where they enjoy a mix of outdoor adventurous activities and team-building challenges, helping to develop independence and leadership skills. Their history topic on the Victorians is brought vividly to life during a full-day immersive workshop, where pupils dress in costume and experience a day in the life of a Victorian child.
Later in the year, they visit the Imperial War Museum, where they not only explore the powerful exhibits linked to World War I, but also step into the role of documentary makers. Working in collaborative groups, the children plan, direct and shoot their own short documentaries, highlighting key artefacts and telling the stories behind them. This creative project develops their skills in research, storytelling, teamwork and digital literacy, while deepening their understanding of wartime history.
Prep 6 pupils also attend the Crucial Crew information sessions — a vital series of workshops designed to equip children with the knowledge and confidence to stay safe in real-world situations. Delivered by professionals from local services including the police, fire service and the East Anglian Air Ambulance, these sessions cover a range of essential safety topics such as emergency response, personal safety, first aid, online safety and more.
Their Science topic on fossils is supported by a visit to the Natural History Museum, where pupils explore Mary Anning’s fossil collection and learn about the process of fossilisation and prehistoric life in an inspiring and interactive environment.
We have a unique approach to learning, and teaching, at Finborough Prep School. Find out more using the button below.