Lower School Academic Scholarship Journey
Lower School Scholarship Journey
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elcome to the Academic Scholarship journey at St Dunstan’s College. This programme has been carefully cultivated and developed with the purpose of inspiring scholars’ academic curiosity and encouraging them to stretch and challenge themselves further through a range of different enrichment opportunities. Academic Scholars at St Dunstan’s can expect a regular programme of Opening Minds lectures from various experts across a range of subjects, termly Scholars’ Teas as an opportunity for Socratic discussion, and the opportunity to explore creative, academic research projects under the supervision of an expert teacher. We offer Scholars several benefits as a result of their engagement with the programme. In Years 7, 8 and 9 a trip is run by the Head of Scholars, exclusively for Academic Scholars to attend. Recent trips have included visits to the British Museum, the L’Oreal Young Scientist Labs and the Greenwich Observatory. These exciting opportunities for learning outside of the classroom greatly enhance the experience of Academic Scholarship at St Dunstan’s, and contribute to the social experience of the Scholarship programme as students are given the opportunity to engage with a like-minded group of people.
OPENING MINDS
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cademically rigorous lectures are delivered by experts in their field, on subject matter outside of the College’s schemes of learning. These lectures are designed for students to engage with fresh and innovative content and to challenge their thinking of the world around them. This year we have welcomed lectures on a range of topics. • • • • •
Climate Change: Getting the message. Digital Technology: A Force for Good or Bad? Constructing the future. How many people does it take to make a drama? Do we use technology or does it use us?
Scholars’ Teas Similar to a traditional university seminar, Scholars’ Teas provide a nurturing environment for students to discuss and debate challenging topics as well as explore different ways of thinking. Scholars’ Teas this year have focussed on how to use the Cornell note taking method as an effective prompt for memory, how to lead a self-guided tour around a museum, and how to present an academic research project to an audience of parents and peers.
Scholarship enrichment trips Each year scholars are invited to attend stimulating day trips to enhance their learning. These trips are sandwiched between small group sessions led by an expert teacher to debate, discuss and develop students’ thinking. Recent Scholars’ trips have included online sessions with the Museum of London to learn about the experience of Generation Windrush, and in person visits to the L’Oreal Young Scientist Centre and the Peru exhibition at the British Museum.
India Scholar Exchange Programme In December 2019, St Dunstan’s launched its scholarship exchange programme with Delhi Public School. The experience was highly rewarding and enlightening for our scholars, and they spent their mornings in lessons with their exchange partners and afternoons learning more about the local area in Delhi. Our Scholars especially enjoyed the opportunity to discover more about the culture and history of Northern India, and enjoyed the experience of a different way of learning in a new cultural environment. This was further enhanced by day trips and excursions, including a visit to the Taj Mahal. Our scholars have remained in regular contact with their Indian Scholarship Exchange partners, and we look forward to this bilateral partnership continuing to flourish over the coming years.
Symposium The highlight of the year for Academic Scholars - each year our scholars are free to choose an academically rigorous project to complete on a subject of their choice. The choice of subject is driven by their curiosity and students are partnered with a fellow Sixth Form Scholar to guide them through the process on a one-to-one basis. The project is then presented in the Scholarship Symposium as part of the St Dunstan’s Festival for the whole community to
celebrate the hard work and creativity of our Scholars. A successful prospective scholar will be courageously curious and have the confidence to try, fail, succeed and learn. What they receive in return is a challenging and stimulating programme which will set them up for success at St Dunstan’s and beyond.
Lower School Academic Scholarship Journey Every term at St Dunstan’s College an Academic Scholar will partake in a minimum of: • A Scholars’ Tea with the Head of Scholars. • An Opening Minds lecture, led by an expert in their field. • A range of different Forder, House and after school activities.
Year & value Year 7 SDC value ‘Courage’
Michaelmas and Lent Terms In the first year scholars will focus on developing the skills they need to build their scholarship portfolio throughout the Lower School. • • • • •
Courage – what does it mean to be an Academic Scholar at SDC? How do I have the courage to articulate my views? How do I take effective notes during an Opening Minds lecture? How do I structure, write and format a reflection? What work should be included in my scholarship portfolio?
At the end of the year, a booklet of scholars’ reflections will be published for parents and the St Dunstan’s community.
Year 8 SDC value ‘Confidence’
In the second year Scholars will continue to build their scholarship portfolio and to develop their presentation skills. • • • •
How do I host a discussion and debate? How do I present confidently and effectively? How do I justify my opinion on a topic? How do I work effectively in a group?
At the end of the year, scholars will give a presentation during the Scholars’ Symposium to summarise their scholarship journey so far. This will be entirely student led.
Year 9 SDC value ‘Curiosity’
In the final year of the lower school scholarship programme, Scholars will develop their academic curiosity. • • •
How do I research, evaluate and critically analyse information? How do I structure and present research? How do perspectives influence my opinions?
At the end of the year, scholars will be required to present at the Lower School Scholars’ symposium in Trinity Term. To create their academic research project they will be given clear guidance from our Head of Scholars, and they will be invited to draw on support from subject specialist teachers.
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There are also a range of trips on offer for scholars, dependent on their school year and wider interests within the College. Scholars’ Teas will be used as an opportunity for scholars to discuss their ongoing scholarly achievement and develop specific skills that are essential to scholarship.
Trinity Term Two weeks into Trinity Term a Scholars’ Symposium will take place for all Lower School Academic Scholars and parents/carers.
Year 7 scholars will have their reflections from the first year published. This will also be an opportunity for them to shadow students from the older years
Year 8 scholars will present a short summary of their second year work at the Scholars’ Symposium in Trinity Term.
Year 9 Scholars will showcase their academic research projects at the Scholars’ Symposium in Trinity Term.
‘The scholarship programme was a really good way for me to make new friends and build my confidence. I’ve found other students who have common interests, and it’s been a lot of fun! We get to go on trips that have really enhanced my learning, like our trip to the Royal Institution’s Science labs’ Jessica – Year 7
‘Being a scholar is all about finding out who you are. You explore different parts of your academic interests and try to challenge yourself in new ways. Overall it’s been a collaborative experience and I’ve gained lots of support from my friends and teachers’ Deen – Year 8
‘I’ve really enjoyed all of the experiences I’ve had as an Academic Scholar in the Lower School. The opportunity for additional school trips and lectures has given me a real curiosity and insight into what career I want to pursue when I am older’ Ruby – Year 9
‘The scholarship programme has helped me to develop courage and take risks! I’ve been on exciting trips, carried out explosive science experiments, all whilst challenging myself academically and making new friends’ Cian – Year 7
For further information please contact Ms A Kothari, Head of Admissions akothari@stdunstans.org.uk 020 8516 7226
Stanstead Road, London SE6 4TY Charity number: 312747 A co-educational, independent College for ages 3 to 18 www.stdunstans.org.uk 020 8516 7200