Dauntsey’s School
“Dauntsey’s is
... fab”
The Good Schools Guide
Dauntsey’s is a leading co-educational boarding and day school for 11-18 year olds set in 150 acres of idyllic countryside on the northern edge of Salisbury Plain. The School was founded almost five centuries ago under the will of Alderman William Dauntsey, Master of the Worshipful Company of Mercers. Today, pupils are guided and encouraged to make the most of the plentiful opportunities on offer at Dauntsey’s and to become constructive, compassionate and responsible members of society.
vision
At Dauntsey’s, our pupils discover a breadth and depth of education which stretches beyond academic achievement to challenges and successes in music, drama, art, sport and adventure. Walk around the School today and you will be struck by the happy and friendly atmosphere. Talk to the pupils and staff; listen to their views and opinions; feel the energy, purpose and the determination to do well. I believe that this is what William Dauntsey and our many benefactors would have wanted to see, and I know this is what makes Dauntsey’s a very special place to learn. Stewart Roberts MA Headmaster
academic
An individual approach‌
The academic life of the School is vibrant, stimulating and energetic; we aim to encourage independent minds and a desire for individual achievement. Subject specialists enthuse pupils with a love for learning, and differentiated teaching programmes foster intellectual curiosity and creativity in all Dauntseians. Our brightest pupils benefit from a wide-ranging and challenging Gifted and Talented programme. Learning support is offered to pupils, when appropriate. Independent learning is a feature of the curriculum and, from their arrival at Dauntsey’s, pupils learn a range of study skills as well as how to manage their time effectively. A broad curriculum, with flexible timetabling, accommodates individual interests and requirements in the Upper School, whilst ensuring a balanced academic programme in the Lower School.
“Teaching is modern, inspiring, and varied, with widespread use of ICT.“ Mark Neve, Director of Studies
academic
… leading to academic success.
Classroom teaching is supplemented with visiting lecturers, study trips, scholars’ societies, masterclasses and mentoring schemes. The many academic clubs and societies offer enrichment to the main programmes and stimulate new interests, with options including: debating, computer animation, Mandarin and rocket science. Progress is closely monitored in lessons, tutor periods and during supervised prep. This individual attention is at the core of our teaching and contributes to significant “added value”, with pupils consistently achieving excellent results in public examinations. Pupils are introduced to the Careers Department during the Third Form and from then on receive guidance in their choice of subject options. Interviews, tests, work experience and university open days ensure pupils are well informed and supported in university and career choices.
music
Dauntsey’s has a strong musical tradition and a distinguished reputation for musical activities and achievements. The Music Department aims to develop in all pupils the skills, knowledge and understanding that will encourage a lasting appreciation of music. School concerts are numerous and varied, with an average of two each week. These range in style from informal evenings of chamber music to jazz and rock extravaganzas, and include formal choral and orchestral concerts. A wide range of instrumental lessons is offered and the majority of pupils learn at least one instrument.
“Academically, socially or spiritually, music touches the life of every Dauntseian.” Chris Thompson, Director of Music
drama
This lively aspect of school life affords numerous opportunities for all pupils to perform, design and direct in the many productions that take place during the school year. Recent showcase successes include: “Tristan and Yseult”, “Twelfth Night”, “James and the Giant Peach”, “The Witches of Eastwick”, the Edinburgh Festival production of “Assassins” and the first school production of “Evita”. The Memorial Hall, with its sophisticated sound and lighting system, can seat up to 500 people and is the chosen venue for major productions such as the December Musical and the annual Lower School Production. The setting for many lessons, workshops, smaller scale productions and pupil-directed drama is Annabel’s Studio, an entirely flexible “black box”. In addition, pupils now have the use of Venue 2, the latest drama facility which serves as a teaching space, rehearsal room and small performance venue. Extra-curricular activities offered by the Drama Department include: scenery design, dance classes, sound, make-up, stage management and stage lighting.
“A fantastic performance...the authors would be thrilled” The Really Useful Group on the first ever school production of “Evita”, staged at Dauntsey’s School on 2–6 December, 2009.
“A stimulating and encouraging environment...� Sixth Former
art
Dauntsey’s has its own Art School, housed separately on the main school site. The attractive and spacious department features: two large painting and drawing studios, a textiles area, a screen print room, a ceramic and 3-D studio, a jewellery workshop and intaglio print room, two dark rooms, a computer room, a library and resources area, and an extensive gallery. A wide-ranging programme is offered to all pupils during their first three years when the foundations of visual literacy and awareness and technical competence are laid. History of Art is taught as an integral part of the course throughout all year groups and its influence is reflected in pupils’ work at every stage.
sport Dauntsey’s provides a wide variety of sporting and adventurous pursuits, and regularly produces first-class teams in all sports. All pupils enjoy two timetabled games sessions each week, and there is an extensive programme of sporting fixtures at all levels. In addition, pupils from the First to Fifth Form have physical education and swimming lessons, taught by PE specialists Hockey, netball, athletics, tennis and swimming are the main team sports for girls. For boys, the major sports are rugby, hockey and cricket; however, boys’ football, athletics, tennis, basketball and swimming are also extremely popular. Dauntsey’s has almost 150 acres of grounds, so hockey, rugby and cricket pitches abound and are complemented by tennis courts (both lawn and hard), netball and squash courts. The excellent facilities also include two AstroTurf pitches, a heated indoor swimming pool, a nine hole golf course and a full-sized sports hall.
“Our ‘Sport for all’ ethos ensures all pupils experience a wide range of sport.” Director of Sport
“We are all expected to work hard and encouraged to play hard too!� Fourth Former
adventure
Our rural surroundings provide an ideal setting for many outdoor activities. Third Form pupils participate in the Outward Bound ‘Moonrakers’ programme, in which courses such as survival and navigation run alongside a choice of activities, as varied as rock climbing and kayaking. Run by Dauntsey’s staff and qualified instructors, the programme provides an introduction to various Upper School societies and groups, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, the Ten Tors expedition, the Brecons Challenge and the Devizes to Westminster canoe race. Perhaps surprisingly for a landlocked school, we also maintain and sail the ‘Jolie Brise’. Built in 1913, this 56-foot gaff cutter has won the Fastnet Race three times, and any girl or boy in the Fourth Form (Year 10) or above can join the Sailing Club. Since 2000, Dauntsey’s Sailing Club has competed in seven Tall Ships races, including the 2009 Transatlantic Race.
clubs
&
social
Dauntsey’s prides itself on the huge range of clubs and societies that exist to enrich and add breadth to the academic curriculum. There are over 100 extra-curricular academic, sports and music clubs. From ballroom dancing to bee-keeping, dance band to debating, fly-fishing to fencing, Mandarin to mountaineering and symphony orchestra to sub-aqua – there is something for everyone!
“Clubs and societies are not the icing on the cake; they are part of the cake itself.� Stewart Roberts, Head Master
pastoral On entry to the School, each pupil joins a boarding or day house and is supported by a Housemaster or Housemistress and a Tutor. We aim to ensure that each pupil fulfils his or her potential and makes the most of the many and varied opportunities available at Dauntsey’s. Tutors recognise the importance of a good balance between work and play, providing their tutees with academic support and encouragement to participate in the huge range of extra-curricular activities, clubs and societies on offer during the school week. There are five boarding houses and seven day houses at Dauntsey’s. In the Lower School (pupils aged 11-13), Houses are co-educational; in the Upper School (14-18), they are all single-sex. All Houses are run along the same pastoral lines, with Housemasters and Housemistresses responsible for the overall welfare of their pupils, and House Tutors supporting and monitoring the academic and social progress of a small group of tutees within each House.
“Dauntsey’s is the best thing that ever happened to me!” First Former
boarding Boarding is thriving at Dauntsey’s. Living and learning in a fully co-educational environment, especially from a young age, allows boys and girls to develop friendships based on mutual respect and trust. Boarders are offered academic and pastoral support in a warm and friendly atmosphere. They enjoy modern and stylish accommodation, and a range of exciting weekend activities which encourage friendship and a sense of community.
“Coming back to the Manor at the end of the day feels like coming home. There is so much to do and so many people I like – I’ve certainly never felt lonely!” Second Former
sixth form Two years of intellectual stimulation and a wealth of experience and opportunity: the Sixth Form at Dauntsey’s provides an ideal preparation for life beyond school. Pupils have an unrestricted and wide choice of subjects, allowing breadth or specialisation as appropriate. Whilst it is clearly important to be enthusiastic about intended subject choices, it is essential that programmes of study address entry requirements for career plans and Higher Education courses. The Senior Careers Adviser is always available to offer advice and guidance. In addition to scholastic work, pupils are encouraged to participate in the many social clubs and academic societies that flourish at the School. There is also a wide range of opportunities for challenge and adventure, giving the best possible preparation for the future.
“You make decisions that will shape your future... it has been the most exciting phase of my education so far.” Sixth Former
spiritual Dauntsey’s School is a Christian foundation with a full-time Chaplaincy. Pupils of other faiths, and those of none, are welcome, and services are not narrowly denominational. Our aim is to foster spirituality, social responsibility and moral values in all our pupils. During the week there is a programme of assemblies and services, catering for pupils of all ages, which includes a service for the whole School. There is a voluntary service of Holy Communion every week, and on most Sundays a short service for boarders, to which day pupils and all parents are warmly welcomed. The full-time Chaplain is a member of the teaching staff, and has a particular responsibility for the welfare of the whole School community.
see & come
“I shall be delighted to welcome you on any day of the week, including a Saturday, when you can talk to me and meet the pupils, one or two of whom will show you around the School.” Stewart Roberts Admission to Dauntsey’s is at 11, 13 and 16 and is by examination and interview or by GCSE predictions and interview. Open Days are held in the Autumn and Spring of each year and Boarding Open Evenings are held termly. Information can be found on the website: www.dauntseys.org If you would like to visit the School, or have any queries concerning admissions, please call the Registrar, Mrs Jo Sagers, on 01380 814504.
www.dauntseys.org