Ballet, choir and a lot more homework… What Prince George can expect from the new year at his £6,110-a-term London school
IT’S nearly time for Prince George to wave goodbye to the summer holidays and go back to school for a new year.
The sweet royal, five, is going into Year One at his £6,110-a-term London private school and with that will come a host of new lessons and activities.
Here, we take a look inside life at Prince George’s new school year and what the young royal can expect...
A more private first day
The nation gushed as Prince George was pictured clutching onto Prince William’s hand as he walked into Thomas's Battersea school in London for his first day last year.
Dressed into the school uniform’s shorts and navy jumper, the adorable tot was greeted by Helen Haslem, head of lower school, when they arrived at the school gates.
This year, when he returns for Year One, it will be more low-key, as typically media will only be invited for a young royal's first day at a new school.
He’ll be getting more homework
He may live in a royal palace, but Prince George may still do homework like any other pupil.
This year, he will be set ten minutes of reading each night - although homework isn't strictly compulsory until he gets a bit older.
There will still be lots of time for Prince George to play with his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Mum Kate might drop him off for his first day
Last year, the Duchess of Cambridge was sadly forced to miss the landmark day and was not by George's side due to severe morning sickness.
Kate has been pictured at numerous events since giving birth to Prince Louis in April, so it is likely Prince George will be dropped off by both parents.
Kate and Wills are said to be regulars in the playground and are often spotted dropping off the young prince for his classes after driving from their nearby home, Kensington Palace.
He will take up ballet
As he enters Year One, ballet lessons will be compulsory for little Prince George.
He will have a 35-minute lesson each week with a specialist teacher, who will teach dances accompanied by a live pianist.
They will also have swimming lessons and have plenty of time to develop skills in throwing, catching and running.
He will be expected to do joined up handwriting
In his reception class last year, Prince George will have been taught basic handwriting skills, but will progress to joined-up script this year.
He will also learn a whole host of new things, including days of the week, months, numbers to 20, colours, his name and addresses, and the school's address – if he doesn’t know them already.
Not only will this be in English, but also in French, and he will be taught greetings and songs in his 35-minute language class each week.
Rules of St Thomas's Battersea
TERMS: Three — Michaelmas, Lent and Summer.
MOTTO: Be Kind. With a “Be Extra Kind” day once a term.
FRIENDS: No best friends.
MANNERS: Firm handshake with teacher at the start and end of each day.
Pupils should retain a sense of humility, be conscious of the advantages they enjoy and be grateful for them.
The school also promotes good mental health.
HOMEWORK: Only compulsory after Year 4. Kids are allowed to “flop, relax and do nothing” at times.
DISCIPLINE: Detentions outside school hours. Teachers can confiscate property.
He may join the school choir
Prince George will have the chance to sing to his heart’s content in the school choir.
And thankfully there is no audition to get it, and it runs on a “come and sing” basic, so everyone is welcome.
If he has an interest in music, he can also pick up a musical instrument to learn, or if drama is more his thing, he will have a 40-minute class each week to let his dramatic side out.
Uniform of St Thomas's Battersea
BOUGHT from Diana’s favourite store, Peter Jones in Sloane Square, central London.
- Navy v-neck jersey £25
- Navy bermuda shorts £23
- Long-sleeved shirts £22 for two
- Tie £10
- Red socks £14
- Red polo neck £10
- Art smock £30
- Rucksack £13
- Gym bag £13
- Sports top £13
- Crew-neck T-shirt in house colour £7
- White T-shirt £6
- PE shorts £5
- Jogging bottoms £11
- Plimsolls £7
- Waterproof coat £36
He will study lots more subjects
Now he’s moving up a year, the royal’s curriculum will become a lot more varied and include new classes such as Science, History, Geography, Maths, English and PE.
Prince George will also spend time doing Religious Studies, learning not only about Christianity, but all other major world regions.
And to get the kids up to speed when it comes to technology, he will also have a 40-minute lesson of computing each week in the school’s swanky IT suite.
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Princess Charlotte, three, started the £15k-a-year Willcocks Nursery in January this year.
She is thought that she will join big brother Prince George at St Thomas's Battersea, although this hasn't been confirmed yet.
We previously shared the bizarre reason why Prince William and Kate Middleton don't have full custody of their own kids.