Dean Close Preparatory School - Values

Who am I ?

O U R V A L U E S

Dean Close Prep Prospectus A4 Master:Layout 1 08/03/2013 14:47

Dean Close seeks to treat everymember of the School communityas unique and equally valuable


I am

Nurtured

The Christian faith is seen as life enhancing and dynamic

and therefore a positive force in the School, even to

those who do not share this faith.

Our Christian ethos means that everyone is truly valued

as an integral member of our community. This brings

shared trust and respect and closer bonds of friendship

and understanding than are usual in a school of our size.

Teachers get to know the children in the classroom, on

the sports field, in the day and boarding houses, in the

orchestra, choirs and after school clubs. This means

they see the different facets of every child, giving them in-

depth knowledge of each individual, their strengths and

their weaknesses.

It is in the Houses that house parents are able to monitor

and guide the social and moral progress of every child,

taking time to talk to children and their parents about the

highs and lows of their day. There is also always time for

a game of pool, table tennis, air hockey or table football!


I am

Exploring

Dean Close fires the imagination and enthusiasm of

every pupil, giving them each a love of learning and

helping them to grow into independent thinkers.

Whether the children are experimenting in the science

laboratories, pond dipping in the brook or perfecting

the use of the lathe in the design technology

workshop, they are encouraged to use a multi-sensory

approach to learning.

We aim to meet the educational needs of a wide

range of individual abilities, extending the most able to

academic excellence whilst supporting the less able

on an individual basis.

Every specialist teacher brings a love of their subject

into the classroom to deliver memorable, effective

teaching that stimulates and inspires each child.

Exciting visits seek to reinforce this: visiting HMS

Victory, the court of King Henry VIII, glacial passages

or the rainforest in Bristol. Whilst visiting Olympians,

explorers and Vikings bring the outside world in to

the classrooom.


Dean Close prepares its pupils forlife by providing them with a strongand proven education underpinnedby the School’s values


Dean Close holds community, respectfor others and relationship as key principles at the heart of the School


I am

At Home

For boarding pupils, living in school brings friendship and

fun, shared lives and laughter.

Home is one of the three large regency boarding houses

specifically designed for boys and girls as they progress

from playing with cars and dolls to games of pool and

pyjama parties.

Before school there is time for an early morning swim,

a choir rehearsal or to build a den. At the end of the day

there is always a warm welcome when they come home

and then games to be played, models to be glued,

smoothies to be made and laughter to be shared.

With a busy programme of weekend events there is

never a dull moment and whatever is going on there are

always lots of friends to share it with, trips to Drayton

Manor Theme Park, Gloucester Rugby Club or the ice

skating rink. At home there is a woodland and brook to

explore, acres of fields for a game, rollarblade hockey on

the covered play area, Dance Wii, go-karts, a paddling

pool, guinea pigs or chilling out together at a 'piazza and

film night'.


I am

Prepared

We believe that sport is for everyone; the joy of

physical activity and the thrill that comes from being

part of a team. All pupils enjoy organised sport at least

four times a week and represent the School in home

and away matches.

With our outstanding sports facilities, coupled with

specialist coaches - many of whom have played at a

professional level in sports such as rugby, hockey,

tennis, golf, swimming and cricket - every child has

the opportunity to find a sport that they enjoy, with

some excelling at county and national level.

Whether it is cantering at the riding school, hitting a

golf ball onto the fairway, taking aim at the shooting

range, pounding the running machine in the fitness

suite or practising a demi plié in the dance studio,

every child can appreciate the buzz that comes from

physical activity.

Being fit and healthy is not all about formal sport. At

break times the covered play area allows children to

work off excess energy in any weather, all year round.


Dean Close pursues excellencewithout being exclusive


Dean Close helps children to develop the important quality of empathy throughdrama. The actor is able to experiencehow someone else thinks and acts


I am

Playing My Part

By its very nature, Drama requires children to invest

physically, mentally and emotionally in the portrayal of

someone or something else – helping them to grow as

individuals. It is about many things - theatre, acting,

developing presentation and communication techniques,

instilling confidence, developing self-esteem and

having fun!

Two productions are performed annually, giving every

child in the School the opportunity to be involved. Most

recently – ‘The Wizard of Oz’, A Midsummer Night’s

Dream’ and ‘Joseph and his Techni-coloured Dreamcoat’.

The extremely popular drama department means that

by the time a child leaves the Prep School they have been

involved in a drama production, be it on stage or behind

the scenes.

There is also class drama taught by specialist teachers

and additional ‘Speech and Drama’ lessons which

prepare children for the LAMDA verse and prose

examinations and for the Cheltenham Festival of

Performing Arts. Dean Close Prep School is renowned in

the county for winning more prizes and accolades than

any other school at this event.


I am

In Unison

Whether it is competing in ‘Battle of the Bands’, playing a

viola concerto in assembly or winning chorister of the year

at St Paul's Cathedral - the band width is inexhaustible.

The philosophy that every child is musical pervades the

teaching: in the Music School where individual lessons are

taught, in class music lessons where every conceivable

instrument is at hand to try, or in the music computer

room where children can use software to compose.

There is a dedicated Music School and 28 full time and

visiting instrumental staff, including the world renowned

Carducci Quartet, who are the quartet-in-residence,

teaching strings to everyone from the enthusiastic

beginner to the aspiring professional.

The musical community is further enhanced by the

internationally acclaimed boy choristers of the Tewkesbury

Abbey Schola Cantorum who are all educated at the Prep

School. They provide the highest standard, regularly

demonstrated in chapel services and concerts, which

inspires the various orchestras, ensembles and musical

groups to give of their best.


Dean Close believes giving a child alove of music is giving them a gift for life


Dean Close encourages pupils to be ambitious and to use their talents to the fullest


I am

Creating

Whether it is having the courage to enter Junior Master

Chef, building homes for endangered species, creating

gargoyles out of clay, project leading the design and

creation of a life size Wendy House for disabled

children or growing carrots and cabbages for the

School’s kitchen, Dean Close loves to embrace

everyone’s creative ambitions, both great and small.

Visitors will quickly appreciate that Dean Close takes

huge pride in the children's work by exhibiting it

throughout the School. Young artists are inspired

by visits to art galleries and exhibitions, and the

engineers of tomorrow by visits to the Red Bull

Formula 1 Workshops or to the NEC to observe props

in production.

From robotics to cartoon-making, from website design

to jewellery-making, the range of creative opportunities

helps a child discover hidden talents and interests,

providing light relief from the academic rigour.


I am

Individual

Dean Close encourages children to challenge selfishness,

greed and consumerism and discourages too much focus

on fame, money and celebrity.

We expect much from our children simply because we

know each one has so much to offer in who they are,

as much as in what they can do. Children have the

opportunity to explore new activities at lunchtime and

after school, from the quirkiness of the Norman Wisdom

Film Club to the entrepreneurial skills acquired through

the Website Design Club. Many clubs are for no purpose

other than fun, but others involve specialist preparation

for formal exams to give an additional focus for progress,

achievement and satisfaction.

The School believes that our gifts are used most effectively

in the service of others. Children are encouraged to think

of others by supporting charity events, growing vegetables

in the School garden and helping at a local school for

disabled children. Experience has proven this is a valuable

lesson at such a young age and one that teaches

empathy, kindness and a sense of duty.


Dean Close affirms that we are allcomprised of body, mind and spiritand encourages children to exploreall facets of their personality


I am

Dean Close


www.deanclose.org.uk


DEAN CLOSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Lansdown Road

Cheltenham

Gloucestershire

GL51 6QS

Telephone 01242 512217

Email [email protected]

www.deanclose.org.uk

HathaGraphics Ltd. 01558 822433


Dean Close Preparatory School - Values

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