Why Boys Only | About Homefield | Homefield Prep | Sutton

Tailored Learning Environment for Boys

We design lessons specifically tailored to boys' needs. Our lessons are a pacy 40 minutes long, with some ‘double’ and 'triple' lessons to explore practical elements of the curriculum, such as science experiments and sports fixtures.

Research shows that boys benefit from regular breaks, so we incorporate "brain breaks" to keep them focused and attentive throughout the day. Boys can excel in any subject without societal pressure to conform.
 

Defying Gender Stereotypes

Nationally, boys tend to underachieve compared to girls in ‘Early Learning Goals’ and again at 11+ . But not at our school! Our adjusted timetables and targeted focus on early literacy and numeracy have produced impressive results. 

We exceed the national benchmarks at 5, 7 and 11 years old. We've taken purposeful action to address this imbalance.

Homefield Prep

From the very start, we invest deeply in learning across the arts, drama, and sport. We place particular emphasis on PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) to help nurture character, encourage empathy, and promote kindness and respect for others.

Providing Leadership Opportunities

At Homefield Prep, leadership development is integral to our ethos, fostering confidence and responsibility from the earliest years. Boys proudly serve as Form Captain, Vice Captain, and School Council Representative, cultivating early leadership skills. Further responsibilities in the shape of Sports Leaders, Music Ambassadors, Language Ambassadors and Youth Travel Ambassadors allow boys to actively contribute to wider school life and take the lead on whole-school initiatives.

In their final year, boys may aspire to positions of greater responsibility, including Head Boy, Prefect, or Librarian. The Head Boy, elected by peers and staff, serves as a role model, representing the student body and upholding the school's values of Respect, Kindness, Integrity, Endeavour, and Resilience. The roles of responsibility at Homefield not only recognise individual achievements but also prepare our boys for future leadership, instilling a sense of pride and commitment to the Homefield community.

Pastoral Care

At Homefield Prep, we recognise the importance of managing and supporting the wellbeing of our boys and their families. We take a holistic approach towards supporting mental health and emotional wellbeing. It is embedded into our curriculum and runs through our pastoral system, intertwined into everyday teaching and planning for the best outcomes and inclusion of all boys.

Form Tutors know their boys very well and are available during form time to check in, creating a supportive environment. In addition, Wellbeing Wednesdays take place each week, where form time is dedicated to an activity specifically focused on wellbeing and tailored to what that group of boys may benefit from at the time.

Boys also have space to talk at Homefield. Our Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) carries out ‘MySpace’ sessions, where boys participate in 1-1 activities planned for the individual. These sessions are dynamic and focus on a wide breadth of topics, such as emotional understanding and regulation, self-esteem, developing a growth mindset, navigating challenges or setbacks, exam pressure, and bereavement or loss. All sessions set specific targets and focus on developing practical strategies for the boys to employ.

Alongside this provision, we run Wellbeing Club on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday lunchtimes, where boys from across the school can attend and discuss any concerns, questions, or thoughts with a member of our Inclusion Team. Our newly designed Wellbeing Hub is a firm favourite with the boys, with many popping in to see what exciting additions we now have!