Early Years

Two Pocklington Pre Prep pupils embracing outside
Growing kind hearts

Every member of the Pre-Prep family is helped to grow the kindest of hearts, by adults who care greatly for them and who nurture their confidence and self-esteem
Young children running outside on the Pocklington School grounds
Growing a love of life

Incredible opportunities light up children’s days, from Forest School and swimming, to performances and visits, we grow an appreciation for the world and a love of life
Pocklington Pre Prep pupil running joyfully through the forest, surrounded by friends.
Growing curious minds

The very best teaching and days filled with wonder provide the very best start to the journey through school. Personalised learning ensures that every child is supported to achieve their potential
Head and shoulders photo of Head of Pre-Prep at Pocklington Prep School , Sarah Cobb

Our Early Years provision at Pocklington School is dedicated to creating a bright, caring environment for all children to thrive.

Welcome to our
Pre-School and Pre-Prep School

A child’s first years in school are precious times which I believe should be filled with the love of adults who care for them, the joy of spending time with friends and the wonder which comes from being immersed in exciting and wondrous activities every single day.


In the Pre-School and Pre-Prep at Pocklington, we know how important the foundations of education are. After all, these are the base on which a child’s whole educational experience rests and they determine a child’s lifelong attitude to learning.

Our children deserve the best start and that is why our teachers are the very best at what they do. We will always go out of our way to fill every child with confidence and the belief that they can achieve; we find every single child the opportunity to shine.


When a parent chooses Pocklington, it is not only their child who becomes part of something very special, as both children and parents are warmly welcomed into the wonderful Early Years ‘family.’

- Sarah Cobb, Deputy Head of Prep School and Head of Pre-Prep 
Pocklington Pre-School pupil playing in a bright red and yellow mini car

School life in
the Pre-School and Pre-Prep

Children can embark on their educational journey by joining us in the term they turn 3 years old for Pre-School. Building on this foundation, they seamlessly transition into Pre-Prep for Reception through to Year 2. 

Days in the Pre-Prep and Pre-School are busy and fun, with the focus on growing kind hearts and curious minds.Our youngest children bring so much joy and we give them the very best start possible, with staff who care so deeply for them. A warm and welcoming atmosphere with wonderful play-based opportunities and personalised learning for every child every day, ensures all children are happy, confident and make the best possible progress. 

Explore Pre-School Life 2 - 4

Explore Pre-Prep Life 4 - 7

What’s on offer in Early Years

  • Academic
  • Co-curricular
  • Pastoral Care

Our personalised approach to learning ensures that children build firm foundations in English and maths, with highly skilled staff who provide support or challenge for every child, guaranteeing that they achieve their very best. 

School days in the Pre-School and Pre Prep are crammed full of the most wonderful opportunities to try new experiences. Children can choose from a huge range of lunchtime and after-school activities to  boost their confidence and gain new skills, right from their first days in school.

Explore more

We create a nurturing environment for our young children, prioritising their emotional and physical well-being. Our experienced staff work closely with families, providing compassionate and personalised care for each child.

Explore more

Pre-School pupil playing with cookie cutters
Pocklington School Pre Prep pupils and Prep pupils reading books
Resources in a basket at Pre-School
Pre-School Pupils writing with pencils
Pre-Prep pupils with teacher playing a counting game
Pre-School pupil doing a jigsaw on the floor
Pocklington Pre-School pupil playing outside on a bouncy hopper
Pocklington Pre-Prep pupil outside with spade gardening
Pocklington Pre-Prep pupil in swimming pool with Pocklington School branded swim cap
Pocklington Pre- Prep pupils and teacher at Forest School
Pocklington Pre-School pupil in spiderman outfit singing
Pocklington School pre-prep pupil in a running race on sports day
Pocklington Pre-School pupils at sports day looking pleased with stickers
Two Pocklington Pre-Prep pupils running on the campus fields
Pocklington early years pupils outside holding hands in a circle, smiling.
Pocklington Pre-Prep pupil playing with toy animals
Pocklington Pre-School pupils holding a dolls and flowers with teacher smiling at each other

Our ethos &
values

We offer incredible experiences inside and outside the classroom and believe in challenging and encouraging our students to seize opportunities that we go the extra mile to provide. These activities and our personalised approach to teaching and learning help to form the bedrock of our students’ individual characters.

We are a day and boarding Christian foundation that is academic and inclusive and a family school whose togetherness, care for each other and pride in our community is evident in our outstanding pastoral provision. At the very heart of our ethos lie our “Values and Virtues”; they drive all that we do at Pocklington and mean our students leave with a strong sense of personal and social responsibility along with the ability to shape their own future.
Courage
Truth
Trust

ASPIRATION

RESILIENCE

INTEGRITY

Pocklington School musical Return to the Forbidden Planet

Work with motivation and increasing independence, setting myself high standards and taking pride in my work.

Pocklington Prep School pupil smiling a lesson in the library

Persevere with things I find difficult, seeing mistakes as an essential part of the learning process.

Pocklington School CCF army cadet smiling in a parade

Have the confidence to behave truthfully and honestly, treating others fairly and completing tasks to the best of my ability.

ENQUIRY

CREATIVITY

REFLECTION

Pocklington School Sixth Former using a bunsen burner in Chemistry

Be curious about the world around me, asking questions to develop my understanding and solve problems.

Pocklington School pupil standing in front of A level artwork

Think flexibly, forming my own ideas, trying different approaches, and applying what I have learned to new situations.

Three Pocklington Pre-School pupils looking at a flower

Consider information from a range of reliable sources to draw reasoned conclusions and reflect on what I have learned.

COLLABORATION

COMPASSION

COMMITMENT

Three Pocklington School pupils holding chickens and ducks

Work effectively with staff and pupils and use their support to help me make progress.

Two Pocklington School pupils helping each other in class

Be kind and respectful of the skill, talents and viewpoints of others and celebrate their successes.

Pocklington School pupils standing proudly with sports kit

Play an active part in the Pocklington School community, participating in a range of activities.
Pocklington School parent with his two children at the royal jubilee celebrations
Pocklington Early Years pupil investigates something with a magnifying glass
Three Pocklington Early Years pupils outside playing at breaktime
Pocklington Pre-School pupil standing outside on a climbing frame at breaktime

Pocklington
voices

Our two daughters love coming into school every morning and come out every afternoon full of stories about their day. The curriculum is rich and varied and we love the way that the education is personalised for every child, whatever their ability. 
In Pre-Prep they have been nurtured and cared for in such a loving environment and we love that the House system enables them to spend time with older peers, who also look after them. Our eldest has now moved into Prep and has been prepared brilliantly for the transition, that she felt ready and confident to move up. She is thriving on the different challenges and co-curricular opportunities on offer. Another thing which struck us was the range of clubs and activities on offer - there really is something for everyone. We feel incredibly lucky that we get to be part of the Pocklington School family, and we know that it will be an experience that gives our daughters a wonderful foundation for later life.

- CURRENT PARENTS

 

Pocklington
voices

Early years education at Pocklington School is where the foundation for lifelong learning is laid, nurturing curiosity and creativity right from the start. Every day brings the joy of witnessing young minds blossom and discover the world around them and it’s a privilege to be part of shaping the future generation's journey through education.

- CURRENT TEACHER

Pocklington
voices

Pocklington Pre-School is my second home and I think of all the children as part of our wonderful family. Every child is so unique and different. I love meeting new children and discovering who they are and seeing how they fit so perfectly into our growing family. 
It was a mission of mine when I decided to go into teaching to make sure every child was a happy child who enjoyed coming to school. Since working at Pocklington School this has never been a challenge, as every child that  attends our setting loves every moment and never wants to leave. Being part of these young children's learning journey's based upon discovery and fascination is enough to keep you smiling all day long. Watching the children grow and flourish in their confidence makes it the most rewarding experience. You are the world to those little people, who make you feel so important each and every second we spend together. These children are the reason I love my job - there is no better place to be...Who wouldn't enjoy using play as a tool to inspire young minds?

- PRE-SCHOOL LEAD

 

Pocklington
voices

Working in a family friendly environment with constant excitement, awe and wonder is something that makes you want to come in each day. Days that are unique and never the same, days with laughter, joy, learning, investigating, growing, changing. Witnessing firsts of learning, from first words, to independently getting dressed, learning to write and read and understand numbers is a rewarding experience that I’m so grateful and proud to be part of.

- CURRENT TEACHER

Dive deeper into Early Years

Teacher sits outside teaching forest school to four Pocklington School pupils

PRE-SCHOOL LIFE

PRE-PREP SCHOOL LIFE

PRE-SCHOOL PRE-PREP PASTORAL CARE