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Dean Close Preparatory School, Cheltenham

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Dean Close Preparatory School details

Address:

Dean Close Preparatory School
Lansdown Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 6QS

Telephone:

01242 512217

Fax:

01242 258005

Email:

dcpsoffice@deanclose.org.uk

Website:

www.deanclose.co.uk/prep/

Authority:

Gloucestershire

Admissions:

Selective

Gender of entry:

Mixed

Age range:

2-13

Number of students:

415

Affiliation:

IAPS

Last inspection:

October 2005. Read the full inspection report.

General information

Headteacher: Leonard Browne, appointed in January 2004.

Staff: 41 (men 19, women 22).

Background: Dean Close Preparatory School was founded in 1886 and it is the preparatory school for Dean Close School. The fifty acre site is situated on the edge of Cheltenham with three boarding houses and three mixed day houses. Lessons take place in purpose-built classrooms and the year groups are divided into junior forms from year three to five, year six and the senior preparatory for years seven and eight. Pupils are generally taught by their form tutor in the junior forms with specialist teachers for music, art, French, drama and physical education. Pupils in year six and above are taught by subject specialists. The school has very good teaching facilities with two laboratories and ICT rooms and a purpose-built art studio, design and technology room and library. A wide range of extra-curricular activities are offered and there are very strong sport and music departments. Pupils receive individual instrumental tuition as well as the opportunity to play in a number of music groups including; swing band, jazz ensembles, the school orchestra and string groups as well as junior and chapel choirs. Boys play rugby, hockey and cricket and the girls play hockey, netball, rounders and tennis. The under 11 boys hockey team won the IAPS National Championships and the under 13 boys and girls hockey teams won the Gloucestershire mini hockey championships in 2004. The school has strong community links with a local school for children with mental and physical disabilities and all pupils are encouraged to take part in charity fund-raising events. Christian family ethos is at the heart of the school providing a firm foundation for the children to learn about themselves, others and living together as a community.

Approach to discipline: Clear boundaries established with all aspects of behaviour management aimed at encouraging positive and respectful conduct.

Uniform: Boys year three-six: Grey trousers, grey shirt, maroon jumper, blazer. Girls year three-six: Tartan kilt, striped blouse (winter), white blouse (summer), maroon tights. Year seven-eight white shirt for both boys and girls.

Special needs: The school has a purpose-built learning support room with state of the art resourcing including ICT. Staff is AMBDA qualified and there are visiting occupational speech therapists and educational psychologists for dyslexia and dyspraxic support.

Inspection: October 2005: ?Dean Close Preparatory School and Dean Close Pre-Preparatory School, (known as ?Squirrels?) provide a good all-round education for their day pupils and boarders. Pupils achieve good standards. The curriculum is wide-ranging and the provision and facilities for physical education (PE) and games are a major strength. The very good quality of pastoral care and the behaviour and attitudes of pupils reflect the strong Christian ethos of the schools. Pupils are very well prepared for the next stage of their education and the schools are well led and managed. Governors provide good support. The school enjoys a good relationship with its parents.?.

Secondary schools: Dean Close School.

Boys' age range: 2 to 13.

Girls' age range: 2 to 13.

Over-subscribed: 1.3:1.

Before-school care: From 08.00.

After-school care: Until 18.15.

Factors taken into account other than academic ability: How well a child would respond to being part of the Dean Close Community and the contribution they would make; sport, music, art, drama etc.

Selection procedures: Entry tests in English, mathematics and verbal reasoning.

Day pupils: 349.

Full boarders: 61.

Average class size (Year 5): 18.

Subjects taught at seven: 13.

Subjects taught at 11: 13.

All teachers hold teaching qualifications?: Y.

Teachers with degrees: 41.

Specialist teachers used: Specialist teaching in French, music, art, physical education, drama from years two.

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

Sports offered: Hockey, rugby, cricket, netball, rounders, tennis, swimming, athletics, cross-country, running, golf, climbing and riding.

On-site sports facilities: Excellent facilities, school pool, pitches, tennis courts, climbing wall and sports hall.

Off-site sports facilities: Use of local golf club, use of local stables.

Percentage receiving instrumental tuition (Year 5): 91%.

Daily act of collective worship?: N.

Pupils sit SATs?: N.

Common entrance?: Y.

Major scholarships won: Full range of academic, music and sport and art along with some all rounders awards where children displayed excellence across several disciplines.

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