The Curriculum

The curriculum throughout the School is broad and balanced, offering all pupils the opportunity to study an extensive range of subjects.

Lessons are delivered by specialist teachers in a challenging, stimulating environment that is conducive to a positive, enjoyable learning experience for the pupils. We are keen to promote independent learning, enabling pupils to fulfil their potential and develop a range of key skills needed in later life.

The timetable offers a great deal of flexibility with a well-structured weekly lesson arrangement and the extensive options system, provides well for the different interests and aptitudes of all pupils. There are eight 35-minute periods on each weekday and six periods on a Saturday morning, giving a total of 46 lessons in the weekly cycle. Many lessons, particularly in the Upper School, are taught as double periods.

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The Lower School Curriculum

First to Third Form (Years 7 - 9)

The Lower School curriculum offers a very broad, varied programme, providing interest and challenge for pupils and delivering the essential background for the I/GCSE courses studied in later years.

Subjects are taught by specialist teachers in modern, well-equipped departmental areas. The three sciences are taught as separate disciplines and pupils study a range of languages to promote this important area of the curriculum. The average class size is 19.

There are many opportunities for pupils to participate in musical activities, drama productions and sport, and pupils are encouraged to join some of the numerous clubs and societies which are a feature of the School.

The Upper School Curriculum (GCSE years)

Fourth and Fifth Form (Years 10 and 11)

The GCSE curriculum at Dauntsey’s is followed in the Fourth and Fifth Forms and is designed to provide the best possible preparation for life in the Sixth Form and beyond. The average class size at this stage is 16.

Several core subjects are therefore compulsory: English language, English literature, mathematics, and science (equivalent to two subjects).

There is also the opportunity for real breadth of study, with a wide range of optional subjects that pupils can choose freely from, rather than having to select from fixed option columns. The majority of pupils choose four option subjects, though the most academic may choose five.

The options currently offered are:

ART AND DESIGN • COMPUTING • DANCE • DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY • DRAMA • FRENCH • GERMAN • GEOGRAPHY • HISTORY • LATIN • MUSIC • PHYSICAL EDUCATION • RELIGIOUS STUDIES • SCIENCE EXTRA • SPANISH

Pupils will also have timetabled complementary curriculum lessons. These are designed to give breadth and enrichment to academic programmes, as well as providing pupils with the opportunity to study and discuss a range of important issues. Pupils will also have timetabled lessons in games on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

Sixth Form Curriculum

Lower and Upper Sixth (Years 12 and 13)

The Sixth Form curriculum at Dauntsey’s is designed to provide the best possible preparation for life beyond school. Pupils are therefore offered the opportunity for real breadth of study, with a free choice of subjects rather than fixed option columns, as well as considerable opportunity for academic enrichment.

The average class size at this stage is nine.

Twenty-seven subjects are offered at A level. All our A level courses are now two year linear courses with public examinations taken in the Summer Term at the end of the Upper Sixth/Year 13. The move to linear A levels allows significantly more time for teaching and learning. Teachers are able to stretch pupils who would benefit from more opportunities to explore and learn the subject matter in real depth, while also having the time to help less confident pupils to really get to grips with their courses.

For full details please visit our Sixth Form Section.

The School makes it cool to learn and we are taught to value others’ achievements too. The teachers are excellent, they are interested and interesting – and sometimes amazingly kind.”
third form pupil

Exam Results 2022

Our 139 Upper Sixth Formers have achieved excellent A Level results with over half the grades awarded at A* - A and impressive grades throughout the year group.