Prep
The term “prep” is used at Wychwood to mean all independent study, whether done in study periods in the Library during the school day, in supervised prep rooms, or the Library after school or on Saturday mornings, or at home in the case of daygirls and weekly boarders. Some girls choose to do prep during lunch times or before school in form rooms, or the Library. In all situations, independent work in a quiet environment conducive to concentration and undisturbed learning is encouraged.
Principles
Prep assignments are crucial if girls are to make real and rapid progress in their learning. Skills learned in the classroom can be practised and knowledge consolidated. Learning can be accelerated and reinforced by the use of materials and sources of information not available in the classroom and all topics in the schemes of work can be covered in more detail than would otherwise be possible.
Prep is a major form of assessment and a central means by which the staff can check a girl’s learning and progress.
Prep allows girls to develop the practice of working on their own without the constant presence of the teacher or other pupils. It is noticeable that some Remove (Year 7) quickly ask for reassurance and help if a task is set in class but they rapidly develop more independence in supervised, silent prep conditions where they must think and challenge themselves before relying on others. Thus they begin to develop the methods of study essential for success at GCSE, A level and beyond.
Prep gives the girls the important and valuable experience of working to deadlines. It is hoped that they will have established good study habits by the time that they reach coursework assignments for external examinations.
Work in the supervised prep rooms, the Library or at home can provide the quiet and more private conditions needed for creative or thoughtful work of all kinds.
Long term research or the building up of sets of notes and personal study material can be done most effectively in prep time.
Prep is set by each subject teacher as he/she feels is appropriate. The Remove have a prep timetable to assist them in their organisation but the onus is on each girl to do the work that is set and to hand it in on time. In the lower School each girl should expect to have between 3 and 5 preps a night, and more at the weekend. Each prep will last for 20 to 40 minutes. In the upper School girls are expected to complete ALL work set.
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