Rowan Brae

A wonderful start. Strong foundations. Room to flourish.

Rowan Brae is the name we give to our Pre-Prep School, where girls aged 2-7 begin their Rowan journey. From their first experiences in Preschool to the growing independence of Years 1 and 2, every girl is known as an individual, encouraged to be curious and given the confidence to discover what she can do.

We welcome girls into Preschool from the term after their second birthday, starting in our Squirrels class. They progress to Hedgehogs in the September after they turn three, before moving into Reception and then Years 1 and 2.

Throughout Rowan Brae, we provide a warm, nurturing environment, ambitious teaching and plenty of opportunities to explore, investigate and try new things. We want every girl to develop a love of learning, a strong sense of herself and the confidence to take on whatever comes next.

From age two to seven, girls enjoy a carefully planned journey that builds on their learning and development at every stage.

• Toddler Group: Our Little Berries Toddler Group meets every Wednesday morning from 9.00am to 10.15am during term-time for enriching time dedicated to craft, music and play.

• Preschool | Ages 2-4: Girls join Squirrels from the term after their second birthday, moving into Hedgehogs in the September after they turn three. Our Early Years provision combines purposeful learning, specialist teaching and plenty of opportunities to play, explore and discover.

• Reception | Age 4-5: A natural next step, with a broad and creative curriculum that builds confidence, develops key skills and nurtures a love of learning.

• Key Stage 1 | Years 1 and 2, ages 5-7: Girls build on their early foundations through an engaging, balanced curriculum that encourages curiosity, independence, collaboration and academic progress.

We offer 15 hours of Universal Funded Early Education (FEE) for eligible pupils in our Preschool and Reception years. Please click here to learn more about Funded Early Education. If you have any questions about our early years pre-prep school, please contact us today. 

A Place To Be Curious, Confident and Courageous

Life at Rowan Brae is active, adventurous and full of opportunity. We believe children learn best through first-hand experiences, so girls are encouraged to investigate, ask questions, take considered risks and explore the world around them.

Our approach combines purposeful teaching with the freedom to learn through discovery. Small, nurturing classes mean every girl is known and understood, while carefully planned learning helps her develop at her own pace and reach her potential.

Girls also benefit from specialist teaching from an early age, including Music, Drama, French, Dance, Gymnastics and Sport. These experiences introduce new interests, develop skills and give every girl the chance to find what she loves.

Space to Learn, Play and Explore

Rowan Brae has its own welcoming classrooms and dedicated outdoor spaces, designed to give girls room to learn, create and play.

Our much-loved Glen is a multisensory outdoor learning and play area, with a mud kitchen, sand area, dig pit, willow den, story circle and grassed mound. Girls also enjoy the outdoor playground, with climbing frames, trikes and larger play equipment.

Classrooms have easy access to outdoor areas, making it simple to move between indoor learning and outdoor exploration. Girls from Preschool to Year 1 also take part in regular sessions at our dedicated Forest School site on Telegraph Hill, where they learn through practical activities and time in nature.

Our Early Years provision was recognised by the Independent Schools Inspectorate with a rare Significant Strength for both provision and outcomes. Inspectors praised its relevant, engaging and developmentally appropriate approach, and found that children were exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their education.

By the time girls move on from Rowan Brae, they have strong foundations, growing independence and the confidence to embrace new challenges.

Come and See Rowan Brae

The best way to understand what makes Rowan special is to experience it for yourself, and we'd love to show you around.

You can register your interest in a visit here. If you have any questions about our open days, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.