We are writing to share an exciting and important opportunity for our school community and to please ask for your support.

Anyone who has or has had children in the Pre-Prep at Cheam will know how central it is to the school day and how it plays a key part in our early years education. It supports social development, physical confidence and independent learning - foundations that influence a child’s experience throughout the school.

While the space has served our youngest pupils well over many years, we must recognise that it is now looking tired and no longer reflects the standard of education and care Cheam is proud to offer.

A some images from the proposed Pre-Prep outdoor redevelopment are below, which we hope clearly conveys the vision. Jenifer Hillman, Head of Pre-Prep, and Amelia Sennett, Head of Early Years, have collaborated with Pentagon Play to create a plan that will transform the outdoor area into a vibrant, engaging space tailored to early childhood development. It will foster exploration, creativity and physical activity across all Early Years curriculum areas, while strengthening the warmth and sense of belonging that define Cheam’s Pre-Prep.

We recognise that many of you no longer have children in the Pre-Prep, or indeed the school, and therefore may never benefit from the redeveloped space. However, the early years underpin the strength of the whole school and you can still support that notion. First impressions matter deeply to prospective families, and a vibrant, well-designed environment helps secure strong entry points in Nursery, Reception and Years 1 and 2. Those cohorts move up through every year group, shaping the character, energy and stability of the school for years to come.

Many of us value the legacy we help to leave behind, contributing not only to our own child’s experience but to the enduring health of the school community. This project is very much about that shared stewardship. Every gift, whatever its size, makes a real difference, and broad participation sends a powerful message about the strength and commitment of our parent body.

We fully appreciate that this is a challenging time for many families and that this may not be something everyone wishes, or is able, to support. For those that can, any contribution you make is genuinely appreciated and will be used entirely to fund the redevelopment project.

If you can donate, if appropriate, ensure you tick the Gift Aid box so that your contribution can go even further at no additional cost to you.

Thank you for your consideration and for your continued commitment to Cheam.

Mr Milbank & The Cheam Foundation