30 5 17 dean close prep prospectus

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Who am I ?

O U R

V A L U E S

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Dean Close seeks to treat every member of the School community as unique and equally valuable

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Nurtured The Christian faith is seen as life enhancing and dynamic and, therefore, a positive force in the School, even to those who do not share this faith.

Our Christian ethos means that everyone is truly valued as an integral member of our community. This brings shared trust and respect and closer bonds of friendship and understanding than are usual in a school of our size.

Teachers get to know the children in the classroom, on the sports field, in the day and boarding houses, in the orchestra, choirs and after school clubs. This means they see the different facets of every child, giving them an in-depth knowledge of each individual, their strengths and their weaknesses.

It is in the Houses that houseparents are able to monitor and guide the social and moral progress of every child, taking time to talk to children and their parents about the highs and lows of their day. There is also always time for a game of pool, table tennis, air hockey or table football!

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Exploring

Dean Close fires the imagination and enthusiasm of

academic excellence whilst supporting the less able

every pupil, giving them each a love of learning and

on an individual basis.

helping them to grow into independent thinkers.

Every specialist teacher brings a love of their subject Whether the children are experimenting in the science

into the classroom to deliver memorable, effective

laboratories, pond dipping in the brook or perfecting

teaching that stimulates and inspires each child.

the use of the lathe in the design technology

Exciting visits seek to reinforce this: going to HMS

workshop, they are encouraged to use a multi-sensory

Victory, experiencing the court of King Henry VIII,

approach to learning.

discovering glacial passages or the rainforest '@Bristol'. We also receive visits from Olympic athletes,

We aim to meet the educational needs of a wide

explorers and even Vikings, who bring the outside

range of individual abilities, extending the most able to

world into the classroom.

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Dean Close prepares its pupils for life by providing them with a strong and proven education underpinned by the School’s values

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Dean Close holds community, respect for others and relationship as key principles at the heart of the School

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At Home For boarding pupils, living in school brings friendship and fun, shared lives and laughter.

Home is one of the three large Regency boarding houses specifically designed for boys and girls as they progress from playing with cars and dolls to games of pool and pyjama parties.

Before school there is time for an early morning swim, a choir rehearsal or to build a den. At the end of the day there is always a warm welcome when they come home and then games to be played, models to be glued, smoothies to be made and laughter to be shared.

With a busy programme of weekend events there is never a dull moment and whatever is going on there are always lots of friends to share it with, trips to Drayton Manor Theme Park, Twickenham Rugby ground or the ice skating rink. At home there is a woodland and brook to explore, acres of fields for a game of Smugglers and Sellers, rollarblade hockey on the covered play area, Dance Wii, go-karts, a paddling pool or chilling out together at a 'piazza and film night'.

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Prepared

We believe that sport is for everyone; the joy of

Whether it is cantering around the arena at the riding

physical activity and the thrill that comes from being

school, taking aim at the shooting range, pounding

part of a team. All pupils enjoy organised sport at least

the running machine in the fitness suite or practising

four times a week and represent the School in home

a demi pliĂŠ in the dance studio, every child can

and away matches.

appreciate the buzz that comes from physical activity.

With our outstanding sports facilities, coupled with

Being fit and healthy is not all about formal sport. At

specialist coaches - many of whom have played at a

break times the covered play area allows children to

professional level in sports such as rugby, hockey,

work off excess energy whatever the weather, all year

tennis, swimming and cricket - every child has

round.

the opportunity to find a sport that they enjoy, with some excelling at county and national level.

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Dean Close pursues excellence without being exclusive

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Dean Close helps children to develop the important quality of empathy through drama. The actor is able to experience how someone else thinks and acts

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Playing My Part

By its very nature, drama requires children to invest

The extremely popular drama department ensures that

physically, mentally and emotionally in the portrayal of

by the time pupils leave the Prep School they have all

someone or something else – helping them to grow as

been involved in a drama production, be it on stage or

individuals. It is about many things - theatre, acting,

behind the scenes.

developing presentation and communication techniques, instilling confidence, developing self-esteem and

There is also class drama taught by specialist teachers

having fun!

and additional ‘Speech and Drama’ lessons which

Two productions are performed annually, giving every

examinations and for the Cheltenham Festival of

prepare children for the LAMDA verse and prose child in the School the opportunity to be involved. Most

Performing Arts. Dean Close Prep School is renowned in

recently – ‘The Tempest’, ‘Oliver! The Musical’ and ‘The

the county for winning more prizes and accolades than

Railway Children’.

any other school at this event.

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In Unison At the Prep School the philosophy that every child is musical pervades the teaching: in the Music School where individual lessons are taught, in class music lessons where every conceivable instrument is at hand to try, or in the music computer room where children can use software to compose.

There is a dedicated Music School and 28 full-time and visiting instrumental staff, including the world-renowned Carducci Quartet, who are the quartet-in-residence, teaching strings to everyone from the enthusiastic beginner to the aspiring professional.

The musical community is further enhanced by the internationally acclaimed boy choristers of the Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum who are all educated at the Prep School. They perform to the highest standard, regularly demonstrated in chapel services and concerts, which inspires the various orchestras, ensembles and musical groups to give of their best.

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Dean Close believes giving a child a love of music is giving them a gift for life

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Dean Close encourages pupils to be ambitious and to use their talents to the fullest

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Creating

Dean Close loves to embrace everyone’s creative

throughout the School. Young artists are inspired

ambitions, both great and small.There are endless

by visits to art galleries and exhibitions, and are

opportunities for pupils to explore their creativity,

encouraged to enter local art competitions.

whether it is painting giant-sized Roald Dahl characters for the school play, modelling gargoyles out of clay,

From film-making to cartoon drawing, from website

growing vegetables in the school garden, baking

design to jewellery-making, the range of creative

cup-cakes or engineering Lego robots.

opportunities helps a child discover hidden talents and interests, providing light relief from the academic rigour.

Visitors will quickly appreciate that Dean Close takes huge pride in the children's work by exhibiting it

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Individual Dean Close encourages children to challenge selfishness, greed and consumerism, and discourages too much focus on fame, money and celebrity.

We expect much from our children simply because we know each one has so much to offer in who they are, as much as in what they can do. Children have the opportunity to explore new activities at lunchtime and after school, from the adventurous Climbing and Bouldering Club to the entrepreneurial skills acquired through the Website Design Club. Many clubs are for no purpose other than fun, but others involve specialist preparation for formal exams to give an additional focus for progress, achievement and satisfaction.

The School believes that our gifts are used most effectively in the service of others. Children are encouraged to think of others by supporting charity events, growing vegetables in the School garden and welcoming the elderly for afternoon tea and a summer concert. Experience has proven this is a valuable lesson at such a young age and one that teaches empathy, kindness and a sense of duty.

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Dean Close affirms that we are all comprised of body, mind and spirit and encourages children to explore all facets of their personality

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I am

Dean Close

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www.deanclose.org.uk

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DEAN CLOSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Lansdown Road Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL51 6QS Telephone 01242 512217 Email dcpsoffice@deanclose.org.uk www.deanclose.org.uk