Dean Close School
Dean Close School
In Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, there is a public school called Dean Close School. The school occupies the greatest private land area in the town and is separated into pre-prep, preparatory, and senior schools, all of which are located on separate but nearby grounds outside of Cheltenham's town center. The school is currently co-ed, accepting day and boarding students. Students may begin attending the pre-preparatory school as young as three years old and continue through the senior school until they are 18 years old. The Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference includes Dean Close as a member.
The school, formerly known as "The Dean Close Memorial School," was established in 1886 and was given its current name in honor of the Very Reverend Francis Close, Dean of Carlisle Cathedral.
Programs
For the finest start in their education and beyond, Dean Close School adheres to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 (KS1) Curriculum. The wonderful WOW Days are a great illustration of this since they suspend the curriculum for the day in order to provide the students a unique or outstanding experience to begin, amplify, or end a subject they have been studying. In addition to these subjects, the Dean Close School curriculum provides swimming, class tennis lessons, music classes taught by music specialists, French, music & movement, and tag rugby, netball, and hockey for students in Year 2.
The entire Pre-Prep class at Dean Close School participates in an exciting day together that focuses on a particular subject from the curriculum, such as math, the creative arts, or science. Dean Close School also holds full school WOW Days. Dean Close School makes frequent use of the beautiful outdoor space during these days, including the sizable Forest School, where the kids engage in imaginative, creative, and exploratory activities meant to foster a love of nature that is subsequently connected to all aspects of the curriculum.
The Dean Close Preparatory School wants to cultivate a lifelong love of study in each of its students. The goal of Dean Close School is to provide every student the knowledge and assurance necessary to think independently and work well in a team.
In Years 3-6, the academic program is based on the National Curriculum, and in Years 7-8, it is based on an Independent Curriculum that is associated with the Common Entrance. French, Art, Music, Drama, PE, and Games are taught by specialists to all students at the school. As students advance through the school, they encounter more subject experts.
The curriculum of Dean Close Preparatory School is designed to meet the needs and talents of every student.
The Dean Close School curriculum is created to foster a love of learning in students and to provide a variety of courses so that students can choose those that spark their interest and imagination.
In order for students to pick the choice topics they would most like to follow at GCSE, the Fourth Form curriculum is intentionally broad, with students first studying 20 subjects.
Nearly all students study English, English Literature, Math, a Modern Foreign Language (MFL), and either dual or triple Science at the GCSE level, leaving them with four option topics that they often select in the Fourth Form based on their interests and passions. Finding the right curriculum for each child is the key to the strategy; for the vast majority of students, this entails taking the ten subjects listed above, but in other circumstances, it might entail taking additional subjects to challenge, say, a particular aptitude for languages, additional subjects. Similar to this, if a child should study fewer subjects for valid educational reasons, this will be done, frequently with help from the Learning Support Department. Departments also conduct regular weekly "clinics" where students can drop in for help if they need it in their subject area.
At A Level, it's crucial for students to focus on their favorite subjects. Because Dean Close School offers 28 disciplines, most students can discover courses that they really enjoy. Small A Level class numbers allow for great levels of teacher-student engagement, which strengthens working relationships. There are complementary qualifications available, including the acclaimed Leiths Food and Wine Qualification and the Extended Project Qualification.
The Sixth Form at Dean Close School seeks to prepare students for life. This could entail acquiring the character qualities and life skills necessary to succeed at work, school, or during an apprenticeship, as well as being prepared to enter a certain line of work.
Academic coursework in the Sixth Form places more of a focus on judgment and analysis. The ability for students to specialize in their chosen subject transforms the working environment by bringing in smaller, more focused groups of students who all actively participate in determining lessons and more directly influence the curriculum.
Through co-curricular activities, Chaplaincy, trips, lectures, debates, community service, and School leadership, choice and responsibility are continued throughout the Sixth Form experience. The Sixth Former who actively participates in everything on offer will be the most successful.
A Level courses are linear, requiring students to study for the whole two years and take tests at the conclusion of the course in order to get the A Level certification.
A variety of programs of study are available at Dean Close School, each of which is catered to the needs and skills of the individual student. The guiding concepts of these programs are as follows:
- All Dean Close School students pursue A levels.
- Every student participates in an option during the enrichment block.
(in some circumstances this may be a 4th A level)
The majority of students will select one option from the Enrichment Block in addition to three A levels.
Dean Close School wants students to have earned a minimum of six grade 6 and two grade 5 subject passes at the GCSE level, with a minimum grade requirement of 6/7 in courses intended for further study. Each A level topic has GCSE guidelines accessible, however the Director of Studies has the final say over a subject's acceptability.
School Life
The departments of Art, Drama, Music, and Sport at Dean Close School each have sizable departments with specialized facilities, highly qualified instructors and coaches, and considerable staff members.
Numerous activities and chances for leadership are offered by the Community Action program, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Program, and the Combined Cadet Force. A professional theater is connected to a purpose-built music school, and both venues regularly feature musical and dramatic performances.
The co-curricular curriculum at Dean Close School is dedicated to being exciting and extraordinarily diversified. The afternoon activity schedule includes possibilities for creativity, clubs and interests, physical activity, and intellectual stimulation.
Strong ties exist between The Duke of Edinburgh's Award program (D of E) and Dean Close School.
D of E recognizes the activities that young people are already engaging in while encouraging them to attempt new ones. Students must complete a physical or sport portion, a skill section, a volunteering element, and an excursion to earn the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. At Dean Close School, students frequently participate in extracurricular activities that count toward the physical and skill portion since their schedules are so full. Numerous of these activities are offered by various school departments outside of scheduled class times.
The Dean Close Foundation (DCF) is pleased to have a vibrant and expanding Equestrian Program across the entire Foundation.
The program is available to students of all ability levels from Year 3 through the Sixth Form, with a focus on fostering and developing potential as well as enjoying interactions with horses and ponies.
Weekly lessons during the school year are provided for everyone from total beginners to those looking to advance their riding skills. Students attend Tumpy Green Equestrian, which offers great Advanced School Masters for both Dressage and Show Jumping to help more seasoned riders keep improving.
Every week, students from Dean Close School get together to plan fundraising activities or get ready for an outside visit to the school.
Originally created by the Church of Uganda to give secondary education to underprivileged and orphaned pupils, The Uganda Link has supported Nyakatukura Memorial Secondary School for 17 years.
Future Prospects
Many people's professional goals will still be out of reach, but the knowledge, abilities, experiences, and perspectives that will pave the way for fruitful avenues are now within reach. Dean Close School tries to ensure that students have access to these both within and outside of the classroom. Past and present students will find Dean Close Futures, the Old Decanian Society, and the professional networks to be a constant source of support and opportunity, whether they are pursuing a degree at a university, an apprenticeship, a first job, or a long-term vocation.
The Fourth Form curriculum focuses on teaching students how to strengthen their skills in areas including IT literacy, research, revision, academic writing, presentations, data analysis, teamwork, project management, and career development. On top of this, students in the Remove and Fifth Form take part in a schedule of workshops and tutorials throughout their academic careers.
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