Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56‘So how are these plants different? This one, for instance, describe it for me.’ Two pairs of eyes peer at a dramatically etiolated bean plant with curiosity. ‘It’s very long and thin, and it doesn’t have many leaves.’ A measuring tape is hauled out and all relevant information is carefully noted in an exercise book. ‘But this one’s really bushy.’ ‘And why would that be?’ the teacher prompts. Frowning in concentration, the two heads tilt towards each other and, together, begin puzzling it out. They are exploring ideas, some wildly unlikely, others close to the truth; all interesting. It is later, and the children are streaming out into the pretty cobbled courtyard for morning break. The Castle’s former stable yard now houses the whole of Pre-Prep, up to Year 2. ‘I can do the monkey bars backwards with my eyes closed. Do you want to see?’ It is hard to turn down such an offer, and so she demonstrates, eyes screwed shut, her hands reaching back for the next bar with confidence. ‘I can’t do that yet,’ confides her friend thoughtfully. ‘But nearly. I will soon.’ Pre-Prep