Lower School

Lower Prep – Ages 4-7

The Dolphin journey begins in Reception, where children are welcomed into a warm, nurturing and inspiring environment designed to help every child thrive. As a leading prep school in Battersea and prep school in Clapham, Dolphin School offers a two-form entry with small class sizes, ensuring every child is known, valued and supported as an individual from the very start of their educational journey.

In our Lower School — Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 — each class benefits from an experienced class teacher alongside a dedicated teaching assistant, creating a caring and supportive atmosphere where children can flourish both academically and personally. Our broad and balanced curriculum encourages creativity, curiosity and confidence, while teaching is carefully tailored to each child’s pace and learning style, laying strong foundations for future academic success.

Children in the Lower School also enjoy specialist teaching in PE, Music, Drama and Spanish, helping to develop confidence, communication and a love of learning across a wide range of subjects. Technology is thoughtfully integrated into lessons through the use of Chromebooks and state-of-the-art interactive whiteboards, enriching the classroom experience and supporting modern learning skills.

As a well-established prep school in Clapham and Battersea, we place great importance on children’s wellbeing, happiness and personal development. Within the structure of the school day, pupils quickly develop self-confidence, independence and enthusiasm for learning. We encourage children to try their best, show kindness and respect to others, and most importantly, enjoy their time at school.

Prep

Upper School Curriculum

Leavers' Destinations

Dolphin School is fortunate to benefit from its close proximity to the beautiful Wandsworth Common, which forms a natural extension of our learning environment. Lower School pupils spend time on the common twice daily for breaktimes and outdoor PE lessons, while Reception children enjoy extended outdoor learning opportunities that inspire exploration, imagination and a connection with the natural world.

We are proud of our reputation as a happy and nurturing independent prep school in Battersea, where strong pastoral care is at the heart of school life. Time is dedicated to helping children understand and manage their emotions, while our family-style atmosphere ensures pupils feel secure, supported and encouraged to flourish. Our carefully designed life education programme helps children develop positive relationships with themselves, their community, the wider world and their faith.

Strong partnerships between school and home are central to life at Dolphin. We foster close communication through our start-of-year ‘Launch’ evenings, weekly drop-ins, Parent-Teacher evenings, detailed end-of-year reports and our open-door policy, helping families feel fully involved in their child’s education.

As a trusted prep school in Clapham and Battersea for boys and girls aged 2–11, Dolphin School provides an environment where children are encouraged to grow in confidence, curiosity and character every day.

To discover more about Reception and Lower School life at Dolphin School, please refer to our Reception Handbook and Parents’ Handbook.

Love Wisdom Truth Attend a Private Tour or Open Morning

Tours at Dolphin School

Whether you’re applying for Nursery, Reception, or another year group, our admissions process is personal and supportive. We accept applications throughout the year (space permitting) and offer small class sizes, expert teaching and strong pastoral care in the heart of Clapham, London.

Pre-Prep School in Battersea

As one of the most nurturing lower prep schools in Battersea, Dolphin School offers children aged 4–7 a warm and inspiring start to their education across Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. With small class sizes, an experienced teacher and dedicated teaching assistant in every class, and specialist lessons in PE, Music, Drama and Spanish, our pupils build strong academic foundations alongside genuine confidence and curiosity. Our location beside Wandsworth Common, in the heart of Clapham Junction, means children enjoy outdoor learning and fresh air twice daily — a defining feature of our lower school community.

Families looking for established, family-style prep schools in Battersea choose Dolphin School for its caring ethos and strong pastoral care. A well-regarded independent prep school in Clapham and Battersea for boys and girls aged 2–11, we make sure every child is known, valued and supported as an individual. Through a broad and balanced curriculum tailored to each child’s pace, close school-home partnerships, and a focus on wellbeing and personal development, we help children flourish both academically and personally — laying the groundwork for a happy and successful school journey.

This is a place where I can be myself. Dolphin Pupil

I am so grateful that my children get an opportunity to play on the great expanse of the common each day. It really is a blessing! Dolphin Parent