The Preparatory Department
The Preparatory building is bright and airy. The classrooms are arranged around an attractive
central hall which is used for dancing, concerts, various sports activities and gymnastics.
Each classroom has its own cloakroom with direct access to both the central hall and the playground.
The building also accommodates the After School Care Club – available Monday to Friday from
finishing time to 5:30pm; and the Astoria Pre-school Kindergarten, run by qualified staff for girls
and boys aged 3-4.
Individual Attention
Classes are kept small at Bloomfield, especially from P1-P3, with each pupil receiving
a high level of one-to-one time with their teacher. This gives Bloomfield girls the best possible start
to their education.
In addition, interaction between the younger and older girls is encouraged, with mixed-age PE and
music classes. The P1-P3 pupils are supported by P7s and some year 13 grammar girls in a
‘buddy system’ which has been found to help develop the social skills and confidence of all concerned.
This also fosters the close-knit family atmosphere at the school.
Quality Teaching
The pupils and teachers at Bloomfield have quite a unique relationship of mutual respect.
The teachers are friendly and approachable and show a genuine interest in each pupil.
Every girl is encouraged to perform to the absolute best of her ability through teaching
methods that promote self-motivation and avoid a dependence on high pressure approaches.
This, in conjunction with the small class sizes, results in rapid learning without stress.
Academic Excellence
A Queens University study, ‘Testing the Transfer’, found that Prep schools generally
have a higher academic performance than all other primary categories.
The study found that a key success factor is class size. Bloomfield’s record is enviable
in the Key Stage (1 and 2) and Transfer Tests, with some 75% of P7 girls over the past 3 years
achieving grade A.
A key purpose of Preparatory Department is to prepare its pupils for entry
to "the Grammar". The school will continue to support pupils in preparing to transfer to secondary
education. We anticipate that the tradition of success of the past Bloomfield Prep pupils in the
Transfer Test will be continued by those sitting the planned AQE test.