Learning in a digital world

At Dauntsey’s we educate our pupils for the future - giving them the skills, confidence and resilience to be successful in whatever they choose to do.

We recognise the central role that technology will play in the future lives of our pupils and take responsibility for preparing them to take full advantage of this. Interactive and digital technology can enhance pupils’ everyday learning experiences and we are determined that our pupils will benefit from this.

All teachers and pupils are well established on Microsoft 365 and its associated products and apps, all classrooms are equipped with high quality interactive boards and an increasing amount of teaching uses digital technology.

To support this, we require all pupils to bring in their own device from the First Form. As a ‘Microsoft School’, we strongly recommend that where possible, pupils should have either a Microsoft Surface Pro or Surface Go device. These are designed for education and are widely used in schools.

Managing Screen Usage

Our pupils do not spend all day looking at a screen and teaching pupils responsible use of technology is essential. We encourage all pupils to use devices positively and for productive reasons, not excessively.

Our pastoral care system regularly addresses e-safety issues in addition to topics such as screen time, managing the pressures of social media and emotional health and general wellbeing.

Mobile Phone Usage

Lower School pupils may bring mobile phones into school, but they are required to hand them to staff on arrival where they are safely secured for the day. Pupils are then returned their phones at the end of the school day, just prior to getting on the buses.

Manor pupils leave their phones locked away at the boarding house.

What’s next?

By the time pupils reach the end of the Third Form, they are ready for the move into the Upper School. It is at this point that they start studying towards their GCSEs and move into the Upper School houses.

Pupils are required to select their GCSE options in the Spring Term of the Third Form, but they are given a great deal of support and advice in advance of this point.

Moving into Upper School houses is met with great excitement, as pupils feel ready for an increased level of independence and interaction with older pupils. House allocations are determined through in depth conversations with Form Tutors, Lower School house staff, Deputy Head (Lower School) and, of course, take into account existing friendship groups.

The final term in Lower School is a fitting tribute to a memorable three years. Pupils set off on Moonrakers Week, which not only marks the end of the Moonrakers Programme but allows the Third Form to come together as a whole and celebrate all that has been achieved in the previous three years. There is also the highly-anticipated Third Form Summer Ball in the Summer Term, an evening to remember for staff and pupils alike.

“One word I would use to sum up my time is Lower School is ‘fun’. It was the perfect introduction into Senior School life, and whilst the academics definitely moved up a level from primary school, it is the huge number of clubs and activities that I really remember. I know the friendships that I made in those first three years will stand the test of time.”

-Middle School pupil reflecting on Lower School years