Welcome to Ashley Manor Preparatory School
Ashley Manor Preparatory School is a vibrant and nurturing independent school for boys and girls aged from 9 months to 11 years. Set within forty-five acres of beautiful parkland on the edge of the Cotswolds, and just minutes from the heart of Cheltenham, the school offers the perfect balance of space, inspiration, and opportunity.
Our rich and rigorous academic curriculum, including dedicated 11+ preparation for local grammar schools, is complemented by a warm and supportive environment where every child is encouraged to shine. Creativity flourishes across the arts, sport, and outdoor learning, ensuring pupils develop confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning in a truly unique setting.
Ashley Manor News...
National Poetry Day – Wonder!
We have had a wonderful week celebrating National Poetry Day through the theme of Wonder, taking part in a range of exciting Foundation Arts activities, poetry has inspired curiosity across the school.
Reception enjoyed woodlice hunting, crafting and reciting their poem, 'Woodlouse' whilst under the fun of the parachute in the hall. Year 1 and Year 2 studied the poem 'Six Ways to Look at a Leaf', with Year 1 being mesmerised by leaf dances as they observed how different leaves from around the school grounds fall to the floor. While Year 2 took leaf rubbings, looking at veins, made leaf mobiles in outdoor learning and created a class acrostic poem.
Year 3 and 4 children explored The Great Big Clean Up by Christian Foley, experimenting with rhyme, rhythm, repetition and exciting vocabulary to create poems that moved from a problem to a hopeful solution.
Meanwhile, Year 4 were inspired to design their own earth-saving machines, including giant ocean vacuums and mini litter-bin backpacks for seahorses! Working brilliantly as a team, they sketched their ideas in the library and explored expanded noun phrases and ambitious vocabulary. Next week, they will bring their inventions to life through poetry, imagining how their creations could help change the world.
In Year 5, the children read the poem, 'Citizen Science and the Climate Detectives' by Liv Torc. In the final two verses of this poem, the narrator talks about the features his school would need to be a greener school, including a moat, a gloopy lake and half-rotten logs stuffed with earwigs. The children then worked in pairs to write their own poem about making their school greener!
Finally, Year 6 thought carefully about the theme of Wonder, creating their own imaginative questions and ideas. We particularly liked, 'wonder is... a kaleidoscopic sunrise', and 'wonder is... going for a walk and drinking in the view!'
It has been a fantastic week of creativity, curiosity and a real sense of wonder!
This week, Pre-School Hazel have been exploring the sound ‘t’ through lots of fun and practical activities. The children have been learning to recognise and hear the ‘t’ sound in different words while taking part in activities such as playing tennis and enjoying a tea party. These activities have encouraged the children to listen carefully, practise saying the sound, and begin to identify words that start with ‘t’. It has been lovely to see the children getting involved, having fun and developing their phonics skills through play!
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Year 6 have been exploring the composition section in Charanga, using iPads to build multi‑layered tracks. They experimented with adding recorder or glockenspiel lines, focusing on timing accuracy, balance, and creating a cohesive harmonic blend. There’s plenty still to refine, but their musical curiosity and willingness to experiment is shining through.
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