Griffin House Preparatory School is a Independent Primary School for kids aged 3 to 11 (Gender - Mixed)

The house remained a residential address as ‘Lady Mede’ up to and during the First World War when the house was used as an emergency medical centre. In 1939, Sumach School opened in the neighbouring hamlet of Askett and in 1949 the school moved from Askett into the house which then became known as ‘Ladymede School’, under the leadership of Mrs. Howden, the first Headmistress. The school has gone through various guises as a girl’s school and a boarding school. In 2011, Ladymede School changed ownership and was renamed as Griffin House School. Many traditions that were established at Ladymede School during its early years including the ‘Gryphon’ newsletter and cake at sports day for the winning house remain in place today.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework
The EYFS framework is the statutory document that provides adults with a structure through which they can monitor children’s progress and ensure that any gaps in a child’s learning are addressed. The framework comprises seven areas of learning and the important characteristics that ensure that children develop positive attitudes to learning. The seven areas of learning are divided into seventeen strands, which build the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to achieve the Early Learning Goals at the end of Reception. The seven areas are grouped into prime areas which have to be secure first and the specific areas that build on the prime areas, once the children are developmentally ready. The characteristics of effective learning focus on how children learn, supporting them to develop an active, can do approach to each challenge that they face.

Pre Prep (Forms I and II)
At Griffin House School they aim to ensure that every child can be the very best version of themselves. The Pre Prep is situated within the main school building and is an extremely happy, stimulating and secure environment for our pupils to continue their education whilst being able to enjoy the wonderful facilities used by the rest of the school such as the tennis court, the woods, the field and the outdoor classroom. The Pre Prep comprises of three classrooms for Form I and Form II. All have attached cloakroom facilities and access to a rich and vibrant environment for outdoor learning. The atmosphere is bright, colourful, purposeful and welcoming.  In the Pre Prep they aim to develop confident, hardworking pupils who have high self-esteem and a passion for learning

Prep School (Years III - V)
Learning is brought to life in all subjects through the passion and knowledge of the dedicated teachers and specialist teachers. The committed staff team have high expectations of pupils inspiring them to believe anything is possible. There is a calm and purposeful learning environment that encourages mutual respect and enables the children to reach their full potential. The personalised approach to teaching ensures that learners of all abilities are stretched and challenged or supported and encouraged. Creative subjects of sport, art, music and drama enhance our academic curriculum to develop fully-rounded and adventurous people.

Co Curricular
Current facilities include specialist areas for teaching music, science, art, and computing, plus a Learning Resource Centre and a well-stocked library. The Early Years have two large, outdoor learning and play spaces – The Apple Garden and the Wildlife area full of equipment, excitement and opportunity. Griffin House is also very fortunate to have five acres of outdoor space containing a tennis court, all weather surface, two adventure play areas and lots of provision for sport, play and outdoor learning.

• Physical Education: At Griffin House School, sport is for everyone and an integral part of school life. All of our children enjoy playing different games with each other, learning the meaning of teamwork, patience, fair play and resilience. Through specialist taught, timetabled PE and Games lessons, weekly swimming lessons that start in Reception and after school activities, pupils are encouraged to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. In the Prep School all pupils (boys and girls) participate and represent the school in a wide range of sports including cross-country, tag-rugby, netball, football, hockey, rounders, cricket and athletics. We also take part in many Independent Schools Association regional and national tournaments.
• Music: At Griffin House School we encourage pupils to acquire a passion for music through enjoyment and fun at all levels throughout the school. Our extremely talented Head of Music leads a busy and vibrant department, which plays an integral part in the life of all pupils at Griffin House. Our highly qualified team of peripatetic teachers allow children to take individual tuition at school in voice, keyboard drums, guitar and strings. Termly concerts afford all pupils the opportunity to perform in public as part of an ensemble or as a soloist, and our ‘Music & Tea’ sessions provide an informal opportunity for parents to see (and hear) the wonderful progress being made.
• Art: Our spacious art room and specialist teaching creates a vibrant and dynamic hub where exciting and innovative creative work takes place alongside reflective thinking. Drawing underpins all of our projects and each child from Year 2 to Year 6 has their own sketchbook. This is used extensively for the development of technique, the exploration of ideas and research into the work of artists and the art of other cultures. Our curriculum covers drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles and sculpture. There are a number of creative clubs on offer each week and we aim to provide a fun, relaxed setting for all children who enjoy exploring their creative potential as an extra-curricular activity. 
• Drama: At Griffin HouseSchool, drama is a dynamic subject which introduces students to a world of wonder and play. It encourages them to continue questioning, exploring and teasing out new ideas and ways of living and thinking. Drama is not about being the best performer or the next Hollywood star, it is about creating and making, exploring and responding in the search for our true selves and for meaningful connections with others and the world around us. At Griffin House School we endeavour to equip our students with the skills to explore the subject in their future schooling without losing sight of its value for their development. At the end of the year, all children from Reception upwards take part in our Summer Production. We hire the Swan Theatre in Wycombe to give the children and parents an annual experience they will never forget.
• Clubs: After the lessons end, the vibrant and diverse extra-curricular program kicks in with a termly timetable of sporting, artistic, educational and above all fun activities for children to choose from. We run a variety of exciting, interest-led and seasonal clubs each term at Griffin House School, giving our children the chance to form friendships and links with others across different form groups. The clubs are planned and run by our in-house teaching staff alongside independent coaches and carefully selected external providers and are designed to support our pupils in taking their interests from the school day forward or to discover something new to pursue.
• Workshops: Our Workshop Department supports all children with a range of learning differences, enabling them to access the curriculum to ensure they reach their potential, to enable them to thrive. They will be given opportunities to develop specific skills or talents and strategies to heighten motivation and reach their full potential. Discussions will be held with our specialist support staff, class teachers and parents to ascertain any area of difficulty and what support will be given. Many children will have a Pupil Passport which indicates strengths and weaknesses and any support strategies in place in Workshop and in the classroom. We have a dedicated, resource filled room where many children can enjoy the warm and nurturing environment that our specialist staff promote. We offer literacy and numeracy support, organisational skills, typing skills, Zones Of Regulation for developing the ability to understand emotion and feelings, and study and thinking skills.
• Trips and Visits: Each subject studied at Griffin House School is enhanced through the variety of trips and visits we provide for the children. Each year group visits a number of places of interest throughout the academic year. We take full advantage of the opportunities in the local area as well as the wonderful cultural and educational experiences available further afield in Oxford and London. All trips are planned with the children’s enjoyment, engagement and safety in mind.