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Davenies School, Beaconsfield

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Davenies School details

Address:

Davenies School
Station Road, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire HP9 1AA

Telephone:

01494 685400

Fax:

01494 685408

Email:

office@davenies.co.uk

Website:

www.dairhouse.co.uk/ curricular/preparatory.htm

Authority:

Buckinghamshire

Admissions:

Comprehensive

Gender of entry:

Boys

Age range:

4-13

Number of students:

323

Affiliation:

IAPS

Last inspection:

November 2004. Read the full inspection report.

General information

Headteacher: C Watson.

Staff: 40 (men 18, women 22).

Background: Davenies is situated in the heart of Beaconsfield and provides a broad and challenging education for 330 boys from the age of four to 13. The large site includes a new classroom block which incorporates a purpose-built science laboratory, drama studio, music department, art studio, ICT suite and eight other specialist teaching rooms. The pre-preparatory department is housed in new modern buildings, too, and boys of all ages enjoy the recently completed additions of a new design and technology suite and ICT centre. In addition to this, in 2004 the school opened a new state of the art indoor swimming pool, sports hall, performing arts centre and music block. The school has its own wooded dell which is used during playtime and by the large number of boys who are members of the school's Cub pack. The curriculum is broad but considerable attention is paid from an early age to the basis of literacy and numeracy. Subject specialist teaching begins from Year 3 and setting commences at the beginning of Year 4. French is taught from Year 3 and German and Latin begin at Year 6. Almost all boys participate in the extensive range of extra-curricular activities on offer every day of the week. The major sports are football, cricket and rugby though many also enjoy hockey, athletics, swimming, squash, tennis, basketball, badminton and judo. All the boys in the senior part of the school join a special outdoor education programme in which they learn how to sail, canoe, ride, rock climb, rifle shoot, build rafts, play golf, tennis and undertake environmental work. Davenies aims to encourage the pursuit of excellence and high achievement, and the development of the whole person in a caring, supportive environment by working with children.

Approach to discipline: 'Brief, clear school rules. The emphasis is on the positive enforcement of good behaviour. Many different reward systems operate. Parents and boys are aware that bullying and dishonesty are not tolerated. Considerable emphasis is laid on the value of courtesy, good manners and consideration for others.'

Uniform: Blazer, cap (to Year 4), navy waterproof jacket with woven crest, long mid-grey shorts, long mid-grey trousers (from Year 5), white long-sleeved shirt, navy school tie, navy pullover with school colours in v, long navy socks with school colours in turnover, black shoes. Summer: white short-sleeved shirt, short mid-grey socks, blazer (from Year 7), senior tie (from Year 7). 'Uniform regulations are clear, accepted and enforced.'

Special needs: Two full-time, two part-time staff.

Inspection: November 2004: 'The school community is well led by the governors, headmaster and senior managers; they have built and sustain a strong and supportive ethos in which pupils flourish and achieve good academic and personal standards. The high quality of pastoral care ensures that pupils grow into caring and courteous young people. The curriculum lacks some balance and the use of information and communication technology in other subjects is limited, but good teaching, based on the effective analysis of assessment data, enables all pupils, including those with special educational needs, to make good progress. The library?s contribution to learning is limited by its lack of space for comprehensive collections of non-fiction books. The school maintains very good links with the parents and with the local community. The quality, quantity and range of activities significantly enhance pupils? personal development.'

Boys' age range: 4 to 13.

Over-subscribed: 3:1.

After-school care: From 16.00-18.00.

Subjects taught in addition to national curriculum: French, German and Latin.

Sports offered: Football, cricket and rugby though many also enjoy hockey, athletics, swimming, squash, tennis, basketball, badminton and judo.

On-site sports facilities: Indoor swimming pool and sports hall.

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