Dauntsey’s
Dauntsey's
In the English community of West Lavington, Dauntsey's School is a public (independent boarding and day school) for students ages 11 to 18. According to William Dauntesey's bequest, a master of the Worshipful Company of Mercers, the school was established in 1542.
A few students enter in the other years, although most come in years 7, 9, and 12 (also known as First Form, Third Form, and Lower Sixth). The Lower School is made up of Years 7, 8, and 9 (also known as First, Second, and Third Forms), whereas the Upper School is made up of Years 10, 11, 12, and 13. Additionally, Years 12 and 13 (Lower and Upper Sixth) are referred to as the Sixth Form collectively.
Programs
The Lower School curriculum offers a very wide-ranging, diversified program that engages students, challenges them, and provides the necessary groundwork for the I/GCSE courses they will study in later years.
Specialist teachers instruct subjects in up-to-date, well-equipped departmental spaces. To support this crucial section of the curriculum, the three sciences are taught as distinct fields, and students learn a variety of languages. 19 students make up the typical class.
Everyone is encouraged to join one of the many clubs and societies that are a feature of the school, and there are countless opportunities for students to participate in musical activities, drama performances, art, and sport.
The Complementary Curriculum is taught during one double period every week to students in the First and Second Forms. Empathy, sleep, anti-bullying, cyber-bullying, friendships, charity, life skills (including nutrition, yoga, first aid, team building), refugees, puberty, and coping strategies for exam stress and revision are among the subjects taught with the First Form.
With the addition of some fresh subjects like the role of the police, Parliament, sexting, homophobic bullying, drugs, gossip, charity, resilience, positivism, emotional health, and coping with change, many of these themes are developed in greater detail in the Second Form.
There is one weekly Complementary Curriculum period for Third Form students. The sessions keep returning to the major ideas introduced in the lower years. Age-appropriate subjects are also introduced, such as safe sex, contraception, good versus dysfunctional relationships, body image, and self-esteem.
The Fourth and Fifth Forms follow the GCSE curriculum, which is created to give students the best preparation for life in the Sixth Form and beyond. At this point, there are 16 students in each class.
English language, English literature, math, and science are required core topics (equivalent to two subjects).
Additionally, students have the chance to truly broaden their scope of knowledge by selecting from a large selection of optional subjects rather than from predetermined option columns. The majority of students select four of their options, however the most intelligent students may select five. On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, scheduled lessons in games are also offered to students.
The Dauntsey's Sixth Form curriculum is created to offer the best preparation for life beyond school. As a result, students are given a great deal of opportunities for academic enrichment as well as the chance to pursue a real range of study with a free selection of courses rather than restricted option columns.
Nine students make up the typical Dauntsey’s class in the sixth form.
At the A level, 27 subjects are available. Every A Level programme offered by Dauntsey's is a two-year linear study with public exams held in the summer term at the conclusion of the Upper Sixth/Year 13. The switch to linear A Levels frees up a lot more time for instruction and study. Teachers have the time to help less confident students properly understand their courses while also being able to challenge students who would benefit from greater opportunity to investigate and master the subject matter in depth.
The curriculum at Dauntsey's is once more expanded and is composed of both required and elective units. The following five topics are available for students to choose from: first aid, money management, car repair, employability, and self-defense. When students are seeking for summer employment or jobs during a gap year, developing these abilities can be quite helpful.
A number of lecturers come to Dauntsey's during the summer to inspire, extend perspectives, and promote thinking beyond the box. As a result, sixth formers might hear from an explorer, a former drug dealer, a project devoted to festival safety, an Arab world expert, a war photographer, or a person dealing with a brain tumor.
Dauntsey's provides a 100% Bursary Places Program for Entry for Students 11 and Up.
Governors have accepted the plan to give more students who would not typically be able to afford private education access to Dauntsey's superb educational and developmental prospects.
There are now 21 open spots, and it is expected to offer up to three slots per year. The selection process for students asking for a 100% bursary will resemble the standard admissions process for students applying for 11+ admittance. Dauntsey's Sixth Form applicants will be required to appear for an entry interview on campus. A minimum of three grade 7s and three grade 6s at the GCSE level are required in order to be given a place in the sixth form, which is dependent on the strength of the interview and school references.
In addition to paying for all boarding or day costs, the Dauntsey's bursary may also help students with other crucial academic expenses, depending on their financial situation. However, parents will be expected to contribute to the expenses they would typically incur in raising their children. Music courses, sports coaching, and any specific learning assistance lessons will each require a separate tuition fee.
School Life in Dauntsey's
Dauntsey's takes great pleasure in the enormous variety of clubs, organizations, and extracurricular activities available to complement and broaden the academic curriculum. The most prosperous Dauntseians are those who put in a lot of effort, enjoy themselves, and aren't afraid to take risks.
All of Dauntsey's clubs are led by enthusiastic staff members, and many of them were founded as a direct result of student requests. For instance, the school's club program just welcomed the girls' cricket team. The girls, who are very motivated, train twice a week throughout the summer term, participate in competitions, and occasionally join mixed training net sessions. There are two lengthy breaks planned during the day to provide students enough time for their preferred activities.
Amnesty International Club is open to all upper school students at Dauntsey's and strives to involve students in discussions about international human rights, both in the UK and around the world.
Students typically take the lead in the club with the themes that most interest them, and Dauntsey's works on initiatives that increase school fundraising as well as knowledge of Amnesty International's purpose. Additionally, Upper School students have the chance to participate in the student-run "Lower School Amnesty International Club," which links with younger students.
For Lower School students, there is a Junior Art Club that meets every Tuesday during prep time in the Autumn Term. There are several "Art Extra" workshops available to GCSE and A Level students for Upper School artists.
Beginning again in the second half of the Spring Term and continuing throughout the Summer Term, Bee Club meets every Monday during the first half of the Autumn Term.
There are a maximum of 12 members and it is available to all years. Dauntsey's is thrilled to provide the extremely rare chance to have a peek inside the intriguing life of Dauntsey's miraculous honey bees.
A weekly board game club where you can join in on the fun and compete with your friends in a variety of strategy-based board games.
Dauntsey's enjoys playing several different games, including Catan, King of Toyo, Battle Sheep, and others. If you have never played any of them, don't worry; Dauntsey's just picks up the rules as they go along while playing.
Future Prospects in Dauntsey's
According to current estimates, 65 percent of kids starting elementary school will work in jobs that don't exist yet. The correct skill development for potential employers now goes beyond only subject-specific knowledge.
All of them register on the Unifrog system during the Lower Sixth year's Spring term. Each student receives a report with a list of potential majors and universities to investigate further. The search engine also enables evaluation of a few overseas universities, apprenticeships, and MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses).
The Careers Department's Post Dauntsey's Planning Events, which take place over three days in the second half of the Spring and Summer Terms, are attended by all Lower Sixth students. This includes a Saturday morning gathering for parents and students.
All students are encouraged to talk to the Senior Careers Adviser, teachers, and house staff at any time about their ambitions and ideas. Additionally, it is extremely advised that students visit the universities they have narrowed down to, either at an official open day or through prior agreement.
In case, if you need help with Guardianship and Homestay in order to study in Dauntsey's or other schools in the UK, please fill in application below or contact us directly.