Preparatory School introduces engaging puzzle challenges

St Martin’s Preparatory School in The Hill is introducing compulsory puzzle challenges to both teachers and pupils into the curriculum.

In 2018 it became apparent that the newly appointed Executive Headmaster enjoyed visiting the Prep School and in particular the mathematics classes. It was not unusual, and is still not unusual, to have him suddenly appear in a class and give the pupils a quick puzzle or challenge to work through.

These unexpected visits scared some, energized others and got some teachers and pupils really thinking. It must have been the perplexed look on the children’s faces that lead him to suggest that a puzzle period be incorporated into the timetable.

It was decided that Grade 4 would be exposed to various English puzzles, Grade 5 would play chess, Grade 6 would do number puzzles and Grade 7 coding.

The new addition to the curriculum certainly provides great fun, play, panic, pondering and progress in the classroom. The children learn many fundamental skills, such a perseverance, determination, concentration and thinking skills.  They learn how to create strategy and develop problem solving skills.