Academic life

The Lower School curriculum offers a very broad, varied programme, providing interest and challenge for pupils and delivering the essential background for the I/GCSE courses studied in later years.

Subjects are taught by specialist teachers in modern, well-equipped departmental areas, with an average class size of 20. Pupils are set according to ability in Maths from the First Form. These sets are initially determined based on performance in the entrance assessments, however pupils can and will be moved between sets, as and when needed. Prior to starting, pupils select two of the following languages to study - French, German, Spanish and/or Classics. At the end of the Second Form they can either choose to continue with those languages or swap one of their options for a different language, starting at beginner level. The three sciences are taught as separate disciplines and there is a purpose built Design and Technology block where weekly DT lessons take place.

Performing Arts

All First and Second Form pupils have timetabled Drama classes and Dance classes. There are numerous opportunities for pupils to take to the stage, be that in the whole school musical or smaller showcases. One of the highlights of the year is always the Lower School Dance Show in the Spring Term - an opportunity for experienced and novice dancers to show all they have learnt.

Music

In the Lower School pupils explore a wide variety of music through listening, composing and performing. Lessons are approached in a creative and practical way so that pupils learn through direct experience as well as an introduction to the developments of Western “Classical” Music from the middle ages up to the present day, and selected World Musics.

Art And Design

All pupils study art for their first three years at Dauntsey’s when the foundations of visual literacy and awareness and technical competence are laid. Pupils cover a wide ranging programme including drawing and painting, printmaking, sculpture and ceramics and digital design. History of Art is taught as an integral part of the course throughout all year groups and its influence is reflected in pupils’ work at every stage.

Complementary Curriculum

All pupils in the Lower School receive weekly lessons devoted to our Complementary Curriculum programme. The topics covered vary depending on the year group, but address issues such as friendships, charity, puberty, bullying, resilience, emotional health and coping mechanisms for exam stress and revision.

Academic Enrichment

Throughout the year, there are numerous opportunities for all pupils to further extend their learning, be that through optional competitions and challenges, external lectures and workshops, or specific departmental programmes, such as the AWS (Amazon Web Services) GetIT Programme, a Second Form programme designed to inspire the next generation to consider a future in STEM.

Our Scholars’ Programme aims to provide our most able students with a range of opportunities designed to stretch and challenge them. We do recognise that children develop at different paces though and therefore pupils may be invited to become Academic, Creative Arts or Sports Scholars on an honorary basis at any point during their time with us.

Third Form pupils are given the opportunity to bring together the skills and techniques they have learnt in Lower School with the Third Form Project Prize. The competition requires pupils to present a project on a given theme, such as ‘Duty’ - this is an entirely independent piece of work and will be judged on the pupil’s ability to plan, research and communicate their project, in whatever form they choose.

Learning Support

The Learning Support Department is committed to helping pupils achieve their potential and supporting pupils in overcoming possible barriers to learning. Whilst Dauntsey’s is a selective school, we recognise that every pupil has their own individual needs.

Within mainstream lessons, pupils are supported through differentiation and adjustments to teaching. For pupils who need a little extra support, the department has specialist teachers who offer individual lessons to supplement their learning. Learning Support lessons are once a week, lasting 35 minutes and on a one to one basis. The lessons are charged on the school bill and pupils do not miss any school lessons to attend them.

The aim of the specialist lessons is to provide strategies for learning and language development within.

Individual Lessons And Coaching

In addition to the many clubs and activities that run every day for pupils and do not require pupils to sign up in advance, we also offer individual lessons and coaching for musical instruments and singing, Speech and Drama, tennis, squash and cricket.

More than 300 musical instrument lessons are currently scheduled each week on the full range of orchestral instruments, as well as piano, organ, classical guitar, electric guitars and singing. Instrumental lessons take place during the academic timetable and are scheduled on a rotating basis to avoid pupils missing one particular subject more than others. If more than one instrument is learnt, the second (or third) lesson will be fixed outside of academic times.

Lessons of Speech and Drama are offered, subject to availability, to pupils across the school. These lessons may be used to work toward graded exams at a pupil’s own pace, or to simply develop performance skills. Lessons are 35 minutes in length and delivered once a week, with the option to attend them alone, or with a peer completing the same syllabus and grade.

Sport coaching is run by qualified coaches in the relevant sport and takes part in Long Break, Prep or outside of school hours.

-First Form pupil