It is my absolute privilege to lead the Pre-Prep at Brighton College Dubai, a vibrant and nurturing environment where our youngest pupils begin to develop a lifelong love of learning. As Head of Pre-Prep, my focus is on ensuring that every child feels happy, valued and inspired to achieve their very best.
At Brighton College Dubai, we firmly believe that happiness is the foundation for success. In Pre-Prep, we balance this sense of joy with high expectations, encouraging pupils to develop academically, socially and emotionally. Our commitment to fostering skills such as critical thinking, emotional literacy, self-regulation, and metacognition ensures that children leave Pre-Prep as independent and enthusiastic learners.
As a parent myself, I understand the importance of entrusting your child to a school that prioritises their wellbeing and personal development as much as their academic progress. It is a responsibility I take to heart. From their first day in Pre-Prep, children learn the value of compassion, respect and empathy.
I warmly invite you to visit us and see the magic of our Pre-Prep in action. You will find a community where children come into school each morning with a huge smile on their face, eager to learn, grow, and discover.
Katy Cooke
Head of Pre-Prep
In Early Years, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, ensuring that pupils experience a balanced education that fosters social, emotional, and academic growth. With the Read Write Inc. phonics program, children gain essential literacy skills, and our approach to maths, inspired by the maths mastery philosophy, encourages number sense and problem-solving through hands-on learning experiences.
In Year 1 and Year 2, we follow the National Curriculum for England, providing a structured and comprehensive framework for English, maths and beyond. We continue to nurture independent thinking and critical problem-solving, while focusing on sustainability within our science curriculum, encouraging children to make thoughtful decisions about their environment.
Emotional literacy and self-regulation are central to our curriculum, helping children understand and manage their emotions. By supporting their emotional development from a young age, we build resilience and empathy, ensuring that pupils are well-equipped to navigate their learning and interactions with others.
Research shows that a love of reading is crucial for academic success and long-term cognitive development, which is why it lies at the heart of our Pre-Prep curriculum. We begin with the Read Write Inc. phonics program in FS1, ensuring that children build solid foundations in literacy. As pupils progress and master phonics, they move beyond the program to further develop their passion for reading, exploring a wide variety of texts that spark curiosity and a lifelong love of books. Reading is woven into every aspect of our curriculum, creating confident readers who are excited to engage with stories, facts, and ideas.
Discover Bright Start, our free school readiness program for pupils starting FS1. We believe in building strong foundations for our pupils at the earliest opportunity.
Bright Start is a school readiness programme for children joining FS1 to ensure the best possible start to becoming a lifelong 'Brightonian'. The programme runs from April to June before the start of the new Academic year in August.
Children, along with parents or carers, will be invited into school once a week for stay and play sessions. Pupils will become familiar with the environment, meet the teachers, and engage in activities that will help build their levels of independence and confidence. Whilst children are busy having fun in the classroom with the teachers, parents and carers will be invited to attend workshops and talks from experts in the field of early education and child development.
Brighton College Early Years will become your families ‘home away from home’.
The best way to experience what life is like at Brighton College is to join us at an Open Morning, where you will have the chance to talk to pupils and teachers about what makes our school such a special place, and to answer any questions you have about life here.
