Fidelis Prep
First Steps into Your Child’s Learning Journey
Head of Prep
Head’s Welcome
I have been privileged to teach at Oakwood School for the past 10 years.
Over this time, I have seen first hand the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our pupils, and the strength of our family community.
As we transition to Fidelis College, what makes us special is the strong sense of partnership between pupils, parents, and teachers. We are a school where every child is truly known, valued, and supported to achieve their best, and where academic ambition goes hand in hand with kindness, faith, and character. I look forward to continuing and strengthening this, ensuring that every child feels happy, confident, and inspired to achieve their full potential.
The Fidelis Way
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Character Development Programme
Character education lies at the heart of our school. It builds confidence, responsibility, and encourages children to seek goodness in themselves and others, supporting academic achievement and personal growth. Through assemblies, tutorials, lessons and daily routines, we teach virtues such as respect, gratitude, perseverance and courage. Pupils reflect on their behaviour and grow in self-knowledge.
Each week, one child per class becomes the Secret Agent, quietly observing which classmate best exemplifies the weekly virtue. In Friday’s assemble, Secret Agents reveal themselves and share their observations, awarding the Character Star to a deserving peer.
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Pupil Leadership Roles
Children of all ages are encouraged to take on responsibilities, nurturing service, pride and belonging. Year 6 pupils assume leadership roles such as Head Girl, Head Boy, House Captains, and ambassador positions in areas like health and safety, reading, the arts and peer friendships – offering opportunities for older pupils to lead with generosity and maturity.
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Tutorials & Mentoring Programme
Our unique mentoring programme assigns tutors to pupils in addition to their class teachers. Tutors guide, encourage, and help children personalise their character development. Tutorials take place every two weeks, allowing for open discussions on progress, relationships, goals and challenges. Group tutorials provide a wider forum for discussion, while individual tutorials occur in open, informal spaces.
Older pupils (Years 4-6) receive dedicated tutor support, while Year 3 pupils are paired with trained Sixth Form mentors as role models and companions. This approach supports parents in their role as primary educators.
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Celebrating Achievements
We take pride in recognising each child’s efforts, progress and personal growth. Weekly whole-school and good work assemblies, character stars, merit badges, house points, certificates and termly commendations celebrate excellence and development. Our annual Prizegiving Awards Ceremony honours achievements across all year groups.
The Fidelis Prep Curriculum
Our core subjects are English, Mathematics, Science and Religious Education. Pupils also study History, Geography, French, Spanish, Art, Music, Physical Education (PE), Character Development and Relationship Health Education (RHE). Latin is introduced in Years 5 and 6.
We foster curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, reflective discussion, communication and resilience across all subjects. Pupils are encouraged to ask questions, explore ideas and reflect on their learning.
The Reception Curriculum follows the Early Years Framework’s seven areas of learning, nurturing key behaviours: Playing and Exploring, Active Learning, and Creating and Thinking Critically. These are supported by purposeful play, adult-guided learning and high quality interactions.
Our Concept Curriculum (Reception to Year 2) enables children to ask meaningful questions, challenge assumptions and explore big ideas, building confidence and supporting academic and personal development. Each term is centred on a key concept – such as Identity, Change or Journeys – creating deep connections across subjects.
PE is taught by specialist sports teachers, with pupils in Years 3-6 participating in fixtures throughout the year, and all pupils enjoying swimming and Sports Day in the summer term.
The Fidelis Pupil Experience
We encourage pupils to develop new interests through a variety of clubs and enrichment opportunities. Our free afterschool club programme (Monday-Thursday, 15:50-16:45) is tailored for Reception to Year 6, while a breakfast club runs daily from 08:00-08:30.
Pupils take part in local and national competitions, challenging themselves in poetry, public speaking, mathematics, engineering, science, writing, sport and the arts.
Educational trips and visits enrich the curriculum and are closely linked to topic work, with outings to museums, galleries, nature reserves, historical sites, theatres, farms and botanical gardens. Visiting workshops and speakers further enhance learning.
Partnership with Parents
Strong communication and partnership between home and school are vital for pupil success at Fidelis Prep. Families receive regular updates via the Seesaw platform, daily check-ins, termly meetings, written reports and Friday bulletins. Class charts help parents stay informed and involved.
We host events throughout the year to build community and celebrate achievements, including assemblies, exhibitions, class productions, and Friends of Fidelis events. Parents are welcome to volunteer and join parent-only events such as Quiz Nights and the Marriage MOT Conference.
Two formal parents’ evenings are held annually, with additional meetings available as needed. Academic progress and attitudes to learning are reported in the autumn and spring terms, with a detailed report at the end of the summer term.
Homework is set to reinforce learning and build study habits, ranging from optional 20-minute sessions in Reception to an hour in Years 5 and 6, with weekly tasks in English and Maths.
Testimonials
What our parents say about Fidelis College
We chose Fidelis College because its Catholic ethos is an authentic part of daily life, expressed through kindness, respect, and a strong moral foundation. Our children are encouraged to be compassionate and responsible, growing academically and personally. Transitioning from a state school was a significant decision for us, but after a year, we are thrilled with the outcome. Fidelis provides a welcoming, collaborative community where parents and teachers work together for the children’s benefit. The pastoral care is exceptional – every child is truly known, and when extra support is needed, it is provided with genuine care. Small class sizes have made a big impact; our daughter, new to Reception, is already reading after one term!
We are extremely impressed with the positive, well-structured environment at Fidelis Prep. There is a strong partnership among parents, pupils, and staff, and every child is truly known and supported. The school maintains high academic standards alongside clear values rooted in its Catholic ethos and commitment to service. Programmes like forest learning and personal mentoring build confidence, resilience, and teamwork. Fidelis Prep develops capable, grounded young people, which is why we want our children to continue on to the Seniors.
I received a tailored one-on-one session to help me understand my daughter’s academic progress in literacy. The Head of Prep offered practical tips for supporting homework and reading and explained how the teachers would also provide support. I appreciated the time spent answering my questions and going beyond the basics. As parents, we couldn’t ask for better support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main entry points?
We welcome pupils at several key stages, including Early Years, 7+, 11+ and Sixth Form. Entry at other points may also be possible, subject to availability. Our admissions team will always take the time to talk through the most appropriate entry point for your child and advise on next steps.
Why choose Fidelis College for my child's education?
Families choose Fidelis because we combine high academic expectations with genuine personal care. We take the time to know each pupil as an individual and to support them academically, pastorally, and spiritually. Our aim is not simply exam success, but to help young people grow into confident, compassionate, and resilient individuals.
What kind of child thrives at Fidelis College?
There is no single “type” of Fidelis pupil. Our students are curious, kind, and willing to grow — whether they arrive confident and outgoing or quieter and still finding their voice. What matters most is a readiness to engage, to try, and to develop both character and intellect within a supportive community.
What does ‘character-first’ actually look like day to day?
Character is woven into everyday school life, not added on. Through tutor time, assemblies, service opportunities, and daily interactions, pupils are encouraged to show joy, courage, responsibility, and service. Staff model these values consistently, helping pupils develop strong habits, self-awareness, and respect for others.
How Catholic is the school?
Fidelis College is proudly Catholic, with faith and values at the heart of school life. Our ethos shapes how we care for pupils and treat one another. Catholic families are fully supported in their faith journey, and families of other faiths — or none — are warmly welcomed and respected. Our focus is on shared values, understanding, and community.
How involved are parents?
We see education as a partnership. Parents are kept well informed and are encouraged to engage with school life, whether through communication with tutors, attending events, or sharing insights that help us support their child. We value open dialogue and believe that strong relationships between home and school make a real difference.
