St Dunstan's College - Forder Prospectus 2023 - 2024

THE SENIOR SCHOOL FORDER PROGRAMME

Parent Satisfaction on Co-curricular Opportunities (Parent Survey, 2022) 96%

Vibrant and diverse co-curricular programme: activities, societies and clubs each week 200+

MOST NURTURING INDEPENDENT SCHOOL IN LONDON (Private Education Awards, 2022)

THE REVEREND FRANK GEORGE FORDER

(1922-1930)

Our Forder Programme is named after Reverend Frank Forder, one of our former visionary Heads, who was appointed to St Dunstan’s College in 1922.

Forder was an academic, having been educated at St Olave’s Grammar School and then at Christ’s College, Cambridge. He believed in the need for beauty, and was versed in many aspects of literature, art and music. His changes were to be wide-ranging when he joined the College, as he decided to give students attending St Dunstan’s ‘wider views and a fuller culture’. Indeed, he was concerned that the increasing range of subjects being taught in schools would end up creating a system of education which prioritised cramming and learning by rote.

Rather than simply following the approach of others, he quickly changed the timetable and decided to end the school day early on three afternoons a week, in order to introduce ‘out of school’ activities. Students could choose from a diverse range of activities, such as Wireless Telegraphy, Metal Models, Photography, Lecturettes on Industry or Map Modelling. These unique, exciting and formative experiences were fundamental in creating a love of learning, and supporting the development of character, in its broadest sense. So many have been able to reap the benefits of this pioneering approach to education in the years that have followed.

THE FORDER PROGRAMME

Our second Headmaster, the Reverend Forder, believed passionately that schools should offer more to the education of young people than classroom learning. His educational philosophy was to put the health and character of a student above the simple acquisition of knowledge.

In pursuit of their passions outside of the classroom, the students would encounter a variety of experiences, each one an opportunity for personal growth and development. This pioneering philosophy provides the inspiration for our co-curriculum, the Forder Programme.

This ambitious, forward-thinking programme is sufficiently broad & diverse to give each individual the freedom to carve out their own unique journey. No matter the path, the individual will embark on a journey that offers opportunities for character development, in its broadest possible context. This emphasis on character is evident in our activity profiles, with each one based on a College value: Curiosity, Compassion, Creativity, Courage, Confidence and Core.

Each student is challenged to embrace the spirit of our College motto – albam exorna – by taking ownership of this journey, embracing new challenges, creating memorable, shared experiences along the way. Each experience is an opportunity for personal growth, full of lessons that students will take with them on their journey through the College and on into life.

Mr Danny Gower Assistant Head - Co-curricular

THE CORE

At the core of our Forder offering, students develop an understanding of the importance of a healthy body and mind; the foundation upon which character develops.

Sport and physical activity in all forms must be about more than just the acquisition of skill. The innovative sporting curriculum at St Dunstan’s is designed to support students not just physically, but with cognitive, creative, social and personal development. The physical strand integrates sport and exercise science principles to spark curiosity about health and performance. By incorporating scientific principles into the curriculum, we aim to deepen students' understanding of the impact of exercise on their overall wellbeing. These experiences provide the foundations upon which this component of the Forder Programme is built.

Through the timetabled co-curricular period, students can choose to increase their physical activity levels with a range of sporting options available each day. Options vary from term to term, but the team pride themselves on providing a high quality, diverse offering that promotes a lifelong love of all forms of physical activity. As students develop their interests, many go on to offer sporting clubs to younger students and even the wider community, as they work towards sport specific leadership qualifications.

The core sports of football, hockey and aquatics are delivered by a highly qualified team of inspirational coaches, tasked with providing high quality, competitive experiences for all. We recognise the value of competition, and every student will have the chance to represent the College alongside their peers at a level that challenges them. Alongside this, students are supported in accessing a range of competitive experiences in other sports, including but not limited to athletics, badminton, basketball, climbing, cricket, cross country, handball, netball, rugby and tennis.

We are fortunate to have access to high quality resources and facilities that support the delivery of this programme. The next phase of capital investment has the development of state-of-the-art sport and wellbeing facilities at its heart, offering exciting opportunities for the continuing evolution of this important part of our co-curricular offering for both College and community.

‘Students develop strong skills in physical education and the extensive wider games curriculum’

Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2019

Movement, Girls Football, Handball, Hockey Squads, Spikeball, Table Tennis, Touch Rugby, Training for Endurance,

THE CORE

‘Sport has helped me to understand commitment and how to apply it. I have really enjoyed challenging and pushing myself as an individual, but in a team environment’

Year 11 student

‘We are lucky at St Dunstan’s to have such amazing facilities, which we get to use during games and Forder time’

Year 7 student

CREATIVITY

At St Dunstan’s we champion creative expression! All students embrace the freedom to explore, create, innovate, take risks and do things differently. Whether in art, drama, dance, music or one of the many related disciplines, our students benefit from a diverse array of experiences. Opportunities are broad and inclusive, giving the individual a creative space through which they can explore their own identity, the issues of our time, and their role within society.

Recent capital developments ensure these experiences are delivered in outstanding facilities, with students benefitting from individual tuition, and expert guidance from those working in creative industries. We take full advantage of our South London location, with students having the chance to showcase the skills that they develop at some of the best performance spaces across London.

Each year builds to a crescendo with the two-week St Dunstan’s Festival, that provides a stage for so many to showcase their creative endeavours. This really should be viewed as a shared community project, with values-based themes giving each Festival a unique focus. With Lewisham selected as the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture in 2022, our ‘Championing Compassionate Community’ theme gave us the opportunity to join the rest of Lewisham in celebrating our richly diverse community. In 2023, ‘You, Me, We, Together’ provided the platform for us to explore the concept of identity and shared values. Whatever the theme, all of our students participate in daily workshops, competitions and performances that showcase creativity in abundance!

‘They embrace opportunities to perform and achieve excellence in choirs and instrumental groups, in house and school drama productions and in the highly individual artwork on display around the school’ Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2019

Chapel Choir, Big Band, Training Orchestra, SDC Voices,

PROFILE EXAMPLES: A Cappella, Art Illustration Club, Ballet, Barbershop, Chamber Music, Cutting Club, Music Production Society, Performance Art and Film Club, UK Space Design Competition

SDC Voices, Comedy Appreciation, Vibe Dance, Black Box Devising, DT Coding Club, DT Jewellery Club. Music, Clay Club, Content Creators, Festival Makers, Games Development Club, Jazz Collective, Laser Competition

CREATIVITY

‘I have been a part of lots of ensembles, which has taught me how to be part of a group. I have developed discipline and patience through practice and enjoyed the sense of achievement I’ve felt as I’ve improved’ Year 11 student

‘Students enjoy exploring their deepest feelings in drama, music, dance and art whether playing the African drums, taking part in devised drama pieces or creating art work from natural materials’

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019

COURAGE

Students at St Dunstan’s have the courage to challenge themselves beyond the confines of the classroom, embracing the spirit of adventure and the great outdoors! Our commitment to the value of outdoor education is immediately evident, as no sooner do students embark on their Senior School journey, than they are taken away on a three-day Bushcraft residential. There can be no better environment for new relationships and a sense of community to develop, as they learn survival skills, participate in team building tasks and confront the unique challenges outdoor living presents.

The Lower School experience can be filled with weekly specialist clubs that include climbing, bouldering and survival skills. These weekly clubs are supplemented with expedition style weekend trips that have included mountain biking, kayaking and sailing. Our Combined Cadet Force is one of the largest and most active in the sector, with a thriving Army and Navy section. Both follow a high quality, weekly programme of activity, that builds towards frequent expeditions across a wide range of disciplines.

We offer the Duke of Edinburgh Award at Gold, Silver and Bronze levels with borough leading numbers of students gaining ‘the Award’ and benefitting from working towards this highly reputable and formative qualification. We expect that every student will have achieved their Bronze Award by the end of Year 9.

Alongside our annual Festival, a highlight of the year is Adventure Week, which takes place in the second half of the summer term. The Senior School community leave Lewisham behind, travelling to various locations across the UK, and embarking on a week-long programme of adventurous activity.

‘Students develop skills of teamwork in all of these areas as well as in sports teams, the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme (DofE)’

Independent Schools Inspectorate

Scuba Diving, Duke of Edinburgh

of Edinburgh Awards, Corps of Drums, Survival Skills, Mountain Biking Expedition

COURAGE

‘Each year almost three quarters of Year 10 pupils complete the DofE Bronze Award and half of these go on to achieve their Gold Award in the Sixth Form. About half of eligible pupils are members of the College CCF and they speak positively of the experiences and leadership opportunities given to them’ Independent Schools Inspectorate

‘I used to struggle with organisation but the CCF has really helped me with this and my self-discipline. The staff set really high standards, which I’ve felt determined to live up to, and they support you in getting there’ Year 11 student

COMPASSION

We are fortunate to be part of such a richly diverse community, which presents so many opportunities for the development of mutually beneficial partnerships.

As a part of their diploma our Sixth Form students embrace the opportunity to take the lead within this profile, perhaps more than in any other. Internally, they share their love of learning by providing subject enrichment clubs for younger students. This includes important work with pupils in the Junior as well as the Senior School. They offer a forum for weekly discussion and debate with societies that explore important societal issues, giving students across the College the chance to consult on the formation of wider College policy. Popular examples include AfroCaribbean Society, Amnesty, Equality Society, and LGBTQ+ Society.

Beyond the College, our students are able to work with local primary schools, local charities and community action groups. Student leaders work with key partners to better understand the needs of our local community, collaborate on strategy that defines how they can best contribute, and then take action.

Younger students also have the opportunity to take the lead, with all year groups represented in the community action group, responsible for planning charitable projects that they feel will have the most impact; some local, some national - even international. Whether they are working with their colleagues or the local community, these experiences inspire students to reflect on their role within society, becoming active participants and a part of the changes they want to see.

‘Pupils show compassion and kindness for each other and have a discernible appreciation for their community and the world beyond. They think deeply about the lives and experiences of others and about the values which are important to them and the school’

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2019

COMPASSION

‘Volunteering outside of school has given me the opportunity to get out into the community and meet so many different types of people. I like using my time doing something positive, and helping people makes me feel good’

Year 11 student

‘We have been working at the local train station, to set up a book shelf for the local community to enjoy’

Year 10 student

CURIOSITY

In the spirit of the Reverend Forder, our subject teachers embrace the opportunity to offer more than classroom-based delivery of the curriculum. Academic enrichment sessions give us the chance to go further and share our love of learning. Our teachers are passionate about their respective subject areas, with many still involved in further study or research. They will have the opportunity to discuss and debate the topics that they love outside of the confines of the classroom and curriculum. Examples from different subject areas include Creative History, Big Questions in History, Junior Philosophy Club (JPC), RPE Magazine, Creative Writing, Debating, Maths Challenge, Hans Woyda, Biology Extension Articles, Script Writing and Design Innovation.

Alongside these clubs within the Curiosity profile are clubs proposed by students that don’t necessarily fit with curriculum subjects. They provide opportunities to enjoy activities that might not typically be found in a school setting. Chess, Cooking, Content Creators, Digital Drawing, Warhammer, Lego League, Go Club, Marvel, Manga, Student Investor Challenge and Coding are all popular options.

PROFILE EXAMPLES:

‘One of my favourite things about St Dunstan’s is all the different clubs and activities on offer. ’

Year 8 student

Ancient Greek Language Club, Chess Club, Creative History, Debating, Engineering, Hans Woyda Maths Team, Junior Philosophy Society, Motorsport Club, Palaeontology Club, Politics

Debating, eSports Club, First Lego League, Forensic Psychology Club, Fun Science, Hands on Structural Club, Politics Society, Star Wars Club, The Big Question, Trinity Schools Book Award Club

CURIOSITY

'I joined the Equality Society. I really liked that it was pupil led and we discussed different things that affect us, both in school and the outside world’

Year 8 student

‘As part of the Student Investor Challenge I’ve been able to trade shares and work with live prices without the risk of losing my own money! It has given me the confidence and experience to decide that working in finance is what I really want to do!’

Year 11 student

CONFIDENCE

‘Students have a positive outlook and are clear that they can become whoever they want to be in the school’s open and supportive environment’

Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2019

As students move into the final stage of their co-curricular journey at St Dunstan’s, a sustained focus on values through experiences across all areas of the Forder Programme will give them the confidence to perform. Students experiences with music, drama, sport and other co-curricular pursuits through the Lower and Middle School have given them the opportunity to learn about themselves and the culture that they perform within. This co-curricular journey builds towards the Sixth Form experience, by which point students have developed the confidence to express themselves, taking their performances to another level.

Artists will take their work into public exhibition spaces, our athletes will access higher levels of competition, expeditions will offer challenges beyond DofE Gold Award level, and our productions and performances will be of a sufficient quality to extend their reach beyond the walls of the College to top venues and events.

CONFIDENCE

‘Working with younger students made me see things differently. I've definitely improved my own performance as a result’ Year 8 student

‘Students embrace opportunities to perform and achieve excellence in choirs and instrumental groups, in house and school drama productions and in the highly individual artwork on display around the school’

Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2019

FORDER ACTIVITIES

CURIOSITY

ACE

Ancient Greek Language Club

Attenborough Appreciation

Biology A Level Enrichment

Biology Enrichment

Board Games Club

Business Society

Casual Chess Club

Chemistry Drop In

Chemistry Society

Chess Club

Classics Film Club

Classics: Ancient Sources Workshop Code Club

Cracking Year 11 Double Science

Creative History

Crossword Club

D&D

DE Clinic

Debating

Deutschklub

Electronics Club

English Clinic

English Language GCSE Practice

English Oxbridge Forder

English University Preparation

eSports Club

Exam Skills Action - Languages

Fantasy Football

First Lego League

Forensic Psychology Club

French Breakfast club

French Dual Linguist (All Years)

French Keep Warm

French Word Games

Fun Chemistry Experiments

Fun Science

Further Mathematics (Year 11)

Further Physics

Geography in the News

Geography Personal Statement, UCAS and Oxbridge Prep

German Dual Linguists

Global History

Go Club

Grade 5 Theory Class (Music)

GSCE Drama Enrichment

Hands on Structural Engineering

Handwriting

Hans Woyda Maths Team

History on Film

Innovation Society

Intermediate Maths Challenge Club

Introduction to French Literature

Investigations Into Ancient Myths

Junior Maths Challenge Club

Junior Philosophy Society

Keynes Club

Knitting for Intermediates

Latin Poetry Club

Latin To Oxbridge

Latin Unseen Stories

Latin Unseen Text Practice

Law Prep

Magic Gathering Club

Math Clinic - A Level

MDV

Middle School Diploma: Debating

Middle School Diploma: GCSE MindsetLearning to Learn

Middle School Diploma: Public Speaking

Middle School Microscale Chemistry

More Maths (Year 7-11)

Motorsport Club

Museum Society

Oxbridge Drop-In

Palaeontology Club

Philosophy and Ethics through Harry

Potter

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

Club

Physics Support

Politics Soc

Preparing for Psychology at University

Psychology Research Methods

Psychology Society

Puzzle Club

Reading Club

Rubik's Cube Club

Senior History Society

Senior Philosophy Society

Shakespeare Club

Sixth Form Diploma Scholars Academic Union

Spanish - Film Club

Spanish Basics

Spanish Breakfast Club

Spanish Dual Linguist

Spanish Grammar Workshop

Spanish Story Time

Star Wars Club

Tabletop Games

Talk for Writing

The Big Question

'To the Souce'

Touch Typing

Trinity Schools Book Award club

UCAS/Careers Question Sessions

Warhammer Club

Year 11

Biologists Unite!

CREATIVITY

GCSE Art Studio

A Cappella

Art Foundation Skills

Art Illustration Club

Art Realistic Drawing

Art Scholars

Art University Foundation Prep (KS5)

Artful Maths

Ballet

Barbershop

Big Band

Botanical illustration/colouring.

Brass Ensemble

Chamber Music

Champion Theatre - Dance

Chapel Choir

Clay Club

College Orchestra

Composition Studio GCSE

Conception and Creation of Film

Concert Band

Content Creators

Creative Writing Club

Dance Production Kind of Magic

Drama A Level Enrichment

Drama Club KS3

Festival Makers

Games Development Club

Guitar Ensemble

Jazz Collective

Jazz Dance

Junior Jazz Collective

Kawaii Club (Drawing cute things)

KS4 Drama Club

Laser Cutting Club

Modelling Clay Club

Music Production Society

Music Tech

Performance Art and Film Club

SDC Newspaper

SDC Voices

Senior Tech Club

Sinfonia - Training Orchestra

String Quartet

Strings Ensemble

Student Bands

The Crucible Rehearsal

UK Space Design Competition

Watercolour Challenge

COURAGE

Climbing (7-9)

Climbing (Competition Squad)

Middle School Diploma: Resilience

Training

CCF Parade

CCF Shooting Club

Middle School Diploma: Building

character

Scuba Diving

Bushcraft Expedition

DofE (Gold, Silver & Bronze)

Range Days (CCF)

Corps of Drums

Survival Skills

Drill Competition & Event Prep

Mountain Biking Expedition

CORE

Aussie Rules

Basketball (All Years)

Calm Club

Elite Swim Squad (All Years)

Endurance (All Years)

Football Squads (All Years)

Football Tennis

Fundamentals of Movement (All Years)

Girls Football (Pre-Season)

Golf (Range)

Handball

Hockey Elite Sessions

Hockey Goalkeeping

Hockey Skills

Hockey Squads (All Years)

Invasion Games

Middle School Diploma: Goal Setting

Applied to Training

Middle School Diploma: Physical Wellbe-

ing - Fundamentals of Movement

Middle School Diploma: Relaxation

Techniques

Mindful Colouring

Netball Pre-Season (All Years)

Spikeball

Swim Squad Open

Swimming Development Squad

Swimming Performance Squad

Table Tennis

Touch Rugby

Training for Endurance (All Years)

Waterpolo

Badminton

Yoga

COMPASSION

Race Diapason

Feminist History Society

Feminist Soc (Sex and Gender Diapason)

Junior School Volunteering

Middle School Diploma: Applied Ethics

Pride Soc

Meditation

Animal Club

Faith & Belief Diapason

Languages Appreciation Society

RPE Philosophy and Ethics through film club

Lewisham Primary School Learning

Programme

World Food Club

Y10-13 Let's talk

Ecology Club

Sixth Form Volunteering

Chinese Culture Club

Current affairs discussion group

CONFIDENCE

Sports Leadership

Directing Team(Productions)

Society Leadership

Club Leadership

Volunteering Action Group