New Pupil Information 2022

Lower School Guide Book

Welcome Letter from Eleni Conidaris, Deputy Head (Lower School)

Your Checklist and Links

New Pupils Day, Sunday 19 June:
Please email attendance and numbers to: admissions@dauntseys.org by Monday 16 May 2022

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Medical Declaration Form to Medical Centre:
Medical Declaration Form
Please return by post or email to the Medical Centre before Monday 16 May 2022

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School Uniform Fitting:
Please see our School Uniform Fitting page.

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Instrumental Lessons:
Book as soon as possible via the online form. If you have any queries please contact Debbie Davey by email: d.davey@dauntseys.org or by telephone 01380 814546

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DSPA:
Please complete online form to join the DSPA.

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Tennis Lessons:
Full details on tennis lessons at Dauntsey's.
Book if required to k.bradley@dauntseys.org as soon as possible

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Mouthguard Policy:
Please view our mouthguard policy.

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Daily School Transport:
Each school day, 13 buses bring Dauntsey's pupils from across the county (and beyond) to school. Details of routes, times and charges can be found here. Some routes are subject to change prior to September 2022.

Contact Nick Barnes: buses@dauntseys.org if you have any queries

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Transport for International Boarders:
For transport to and from airports and Dauntsey’s, contact Megan Williams: m.williams@dauntseys.org

Your Checklist and Links

Medical Declaration Form to Medical Centre:
Medical Declaration Form
Please return by post or email by Monday 16 May 2022

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School Uniform Fitting:
Please see our School Uniform Fitting page.

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Instrumental Lessons:
Book as soon as possible via the online form. If you have any queries please contact Debbie Davey by email: d.davey@dauntseys.org or by telephone 01380 814546

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DSPA:
Please complete online form to join the DSPA.

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Tennis Lessons:
Full details on tennis lessons at Dauntsey's.
Book if required to k.bradley@dauntseys.org as soon as possible

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Mouthguard Policy:
Please view our mouthguard policy.

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Daily School Transport:
Each school day, 13 buses bring Dauntsey's pupils from across the county (and beyond) to school. Details of routes, times and charges can be found here. Some routes are subject to change.

Contact Nick Barnes: buses@dauntseys.org if you have any queries.

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Transport for International Boarders:
For transport to and from airports and Dauntsey’s, contact Megan Williams: m.williams@dauntseys.org

We very much look forward to welcoming new pupils to the Sixth Form at Dauntsey's in September.

Results Day 

Please email your results to the Head of Admissions, Helen Sullivan at h.sullivan@dauntseys.org.  Mark Lascelles, Head Master will also be in School on results day and available for consultation should you wish to discuss results and/or A Level choices

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Medical Forms

Please remember to complete, sign and return by Monday 17 May. Email to: medicalcentre@dauntseys.org. 

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Dress Regulations

Sixth Form pupils are not expected to wear School uniform but their dress and appearance should be appropriate for a formal business environment.

The following guidelines will help in deciding what is appropriate:

Suit/formal jacket and skirt, dress or trousers
A tailored suit or plain, discreet coloured skirt, dress or trousers with a tailored jacket. The skirt/dress must be of an appropriate length. Skirts, dresses and trousers must not be skinny fit (lycra and jean type material are not acceptable).

Shirt
A formal sleeved blouse or shirt and tie. It must be long enough to be tucked in at all times.

Shoes
Dark or tanned smart polished leather shoes or smart ankle boots. No trainers or wedges.

Jumper/Cardigan
A V-neck or round-necked pullover or cardigan may be worn under the jacket but may not be a substitute for a shirt/blouse.

Coat
A plain dark coloured coat.

Jewellery
Discreet jewellery is permitted. No piercings are permitted except in ears and no more than two in each ear.

Hair
Hair must be neat and tidy, of a natural and consistent colour and not in an extreme style.

Make-up
Discreet make-up is allowed.

Corduroy, denim, leather, suede, canvas, fur or fleece clothing is not appropriate.

Clothes should not be over-sized or under-sized, unclean or in a state of poor repair.

Clothes and shoes should not be of an extreme colour or style, but discreet.

No exposed midriffs or low-cut tops. No sweatshirts, hoodies or chunky knit sweaters.

New Sixth Form entrants should confirm the sports they will be playing before purchasing games kit.

Important Notices and Reminders

Visa and Police Registration

PLEASE APPLY FOR YOUR VISA EARLY.

Please return completed forms to Merle Halliday. 

Visa Application Guidelines

Please read the guidelines very carefully and direct any enquiries to Megan Williams who will be pleased to help.

If it is a requirement for you to register with the Police on arrival, this will be shown on your Visa. Again, Megan Williams will be pleased to organise this for you.

Please make sure that you bring four passport-sized photographs to School with you at the beginning of term.

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Guardians

Whatever your age, whilst you are a pupil at Dauntsey’s you must have a guardian who lives in the UK during term time. Your guardian must be available to collect you if you are too ill to be at school or, if you are suspended from school. Your guardian may also look after you during the exeat weekends during the year and for half term holidays.

Should you wish to use a guardian agency please consult the AEGIS web site http://www.aegisuk.net/
Please see here for some helpful advice on choosing a guardian - Guidelines for choosing a Guardian

The deadline for submitting the Guardianship Form is 16 May 2022

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Medical Care at Dauntsey’s

Dauntsey’s has its own Medical Centre which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Medical Centre Sisters (Nurses) will do their best to help you with any illnesses and medical issues. You will automatically be registered with the School Doctor, who runs a clinic in the medical centre three times a week; you can book appointments by email or by calling in to talk to one of the nurses. There is also a Physiotherapist who is available by appointment at the Medical Centre. Emergency dental treatment can be organised through the Medical Centre, as can routine appointments. However, most pupils arrange routine appointments with their own dentists during half term or holidays

Please complete the Medical Declaration Form and return it by email to the Medical Centre by Monday 16 May 2022. E-mail: medicalcentre@dauntseys.org

If you bring any medication with you, you must show this to the Medical Centre Sister and to your Housemaster or Housemistress on arrival.

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Language Support – English as an Additional Language (EAL)

All overseas pupils who do not have English as a first language are supported by the EAL Department to further develop their English language skills. This support is structured to meet individual needs and circumstances. Classes focus on enhancing language skills, exam preparation and additional language support to access the School’s curriculum. This support, in addition to preparing them for university, is to help pupils to be successful in their studies and life at Dauntsey’s.

Lessons are either one to one or in small groups in order to maximise the support given in writing, reading, listening and speaking. This is important when it comes to exam preparation for either I/GCSE in the Fifth Form or IELTS in the Sixth Form.

The EAL Department also offers a weekly club for pupils to come for a chat, get help with their work, practise their English and make friends. The younger pupils find the support from older pupils invaluable.

Find out more about the EAL Department on our Academic Department page. 

School Uniform and Dress Regulations

You will wear your School uniform or Sixth Form clothes until 17.30 from Monday to Friday, and up to 13.30 on Saturdays. After these times you may change into your own clothes.

All boarding pupils should be dressed smartly at breakfast. Boys may not wear earrings, and other jewellery must not be visible. Girls may wear only one small sleeper or stud earring in each lower lobe and other jewellery should not be visible. Nose studs, tongue studs and the like are not allowed. Hair – there should be no extremes of style, colour or cut. Boys’ hair should be groomed and tidy. Hair should be off the collar and boys should be clean-shaven. Girls’ hair, if worn long, should be groomed and tidy or tied back.

Uniform for First to Fifth Forms

You will need to visit the School Shop to buy your uniform and sports kit on arrival at the beginning of term. 

Please follow the link to make arrangements for visiting the school shop when you arrive in September and also to complete our online order form for your School Sports bag

Please note that every item of clothing and equipment must have a name label.

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Music Lessons

Dauntsey’s is very proud of the Music Department and there are many music groups and orchestras to join. It is important to sign up early for music lessons if you want them by completing our online form.

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What should I bring from home?

Here are a few ideas from Dauntsey’s Overseas pupils. You do not need everything on this list! * items are essential.

• *Passport-sized photographs (minimum of 4)
• *Personal items and clothes
• Clothes for a party
• *Dressing gown/onesie and towels
• Posters/Photographs of family and friends
• Soft toys
• Tennis/squash/badminton racket
• Umbrella
• *Permanent marker pen
• *Personal medication (All personal medication has to be handed in to the Medical Centre)
• *USB pen drive
• *Spare glasses or spare contact lenses and solution if worn
• *Slippers/flip-flops (indoor shoe wear)
• All paper, files and text books are provided by the School, so there is no need to bring your own.
• Duvets, sheets and pillows are supplied, but you may wish to bring your own duvet cover and pillowcase for a single bed.

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Mobile phones and Electrical equipment

Mobile phones may be used in your free time. They must be switched off during lessons. Please make sure that your mobile phone will work in the UK. If required, top-up phone cards are on sale at the School Shop. Most of the school is covered by WiFi and you may bring your own laptop.

To meet the current British Standard requirements on portable electrical equipment (BS 1363 pts 1–5) the school operates a policy whereby pupils are requested not to bring their own adapters or extension leads into school. A selection of adapters and extension leads are available for purchase from the School Shop which meet all international standards.

To meet its legal responsibilities the school arranges for all portable electrical equipment to be tested by a qualified electrician; this will be carried out in September and at the start of each new term in all the boarding houses.

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Insurance of Personal Effects

Please note that the school cannot accept responsibility for the personal belongings of pupils while they are at School. You are advised to consider extending household insurance policies to cover loss or damage to clothing and personal effects whilst your child/children is/are at school.

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Daily Life

The School Day

A week day always begins with breakfast from 7.30 and registration in your boarding house at 8.15. From 8.35 am there is an assembly, a house meeting or a meeting with your tutor. There are nine lessons a day, each lasting 35 minutes. A full break down of the school day can be found here.

Sundays

On Sundays, a varied programme of activities is organised at The Manor. Recent activities have included visits to the cinema, ice skating in Swindon, pancake, cookie and cup-cake making. Brunch is served at 10.30, there is a ‘Sandwich bar’ between 13.00 and 15.00 and supper is served at 18.30.

During the day, Upper School pupils have free time and can choose to study, play sports, enjoy time with friends or take part in an organised outing.

Upper School and Lower School pupils may leave School at the weekend to stay with a friend or go on a day visit once House Staff have received the necessary permission from parents.

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School minibus service to Devizes

A minibus service to and from our delightful nearby market town of Devizes is provided three times a week in order that pupils can buy extra supplies, go to the local bank and anything else they may require. Devizes has many of the UK high street stores as well as independent stores and coffee shops.

This service is provided free to boarders, you simply need to go to the main Reception to put your name on the list for the day/s you would like to go into Devizes.

Money

Devizes is the nearest town to Dauntsey’s and there are a few banks with electronic cash points. You can also set up a UK bank account. It is useful to do this when you arrive and your House staff can help. It is not recommended that you bring a large amount of cash with you.

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Food

Lower School pupils have breakfast and supper at The Manor, whilst lunch is at Main School. Upper School pupils have all their meals at Main School in the Dining Hall together with boarders from all the other senior boarding houses. There is a wide choice of food on offer, all of which is freshly prepared on site. There are hot and cold options including vegetarian and meat or fish dishes, salads, cheese, bread, soup, fruit and desserts. At tea, you may have cakes or biscuits with a hot or cold drink. Only pupils in the Sixth Form may drink alcohol and only in specified circumstances. You are not allowed to bring alcohol into School.

Tuck Shop and Cyber Café

The Tuck Shop sells sweets, chocolate, biscuits, tea, coffee and ice cream during breaks and after lessons. You may sign for what you buy and this will be added to your School bill (please check with your parents!) The nearby Cyber Café allows you to email home and catch up on news.

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The International Society

All new joiners are assigned a ‘buddy’, a pupil from their own year group, to introduce them to other people and help them find their way around.

The International Society is a club for all overseas pupils. There are many events throughout the year. The Society is run by pupils and there are representatives from every house on the Society’s Committee.

Recent events have included: sightseeing trips to local attractions, formal dinners, cinema and ten pin bowling, ice skating, Laser Quest, Chinese New Year Dinner, weekend shopping trips and a trip to Thorpe Park Theme Park and Oxford during the first exeat weekend in September and another to London in the January exeat.

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Sport

Everyone does games or sport at Dauntsey’s and the School has extensive facilities. In the Lower School (1st to 3rd Forms) boys play Rugby, Hockey, Tennis, Cricket, Swimming and Athletics; girls play Hockey, Netball, Tennis, Swimming and Athletics according to the season.

Lower School Games: Monday and Wednesday 14.45 – 16.00. For pupils in the 4th and 5th Forms, there is some choice, if you are not in a School team.

Upper School Games: Tuesday and Thursday 14.45 – 16.00
For the 6th Form, there is a choice of games and sports; attendance at these sessions is compulsory as they are a part of the School day.

A fitted mouthguard is required for rugby and hockey. Please see details here.

Sports Clubs

There is a large variety of sports clubs which run in the Long Break or after School.

These include: Basketball, Tennis (lessons), Squash (lessons), Swimming, Martial Arts, Badminton, Table Tennis, Dance, Mountain Biking and Archery. During the first week of School, there is a Clubs and Societies Fair, at which you can see what is on offer and sign up for activities.

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Asking for Help

We hope that you will have a very positive experience here at Dauntsey’s and there are many people willing to help, if you have a problem. These include:

Your Tutor, who monitors your academic progress, and is concerned for your welfare and happiness. You will have a weekly meeting with your tutor and will soon establish a good working relationship.

Your Housemaster or Housemistress who will always be there to help.

Your teachers are always a good source of advice.

The School Listening Service is based in the Medical Centre and professional counsellors are always available; there are also student listeners to whom you can turn for help and advice.

The Medical Centre – if you feel unwell or worried you can visit the Medical Centre 24 hours a day.

As a general rule, if you are unsure about anything, it is important to ask for help. You will find that all staff and pupils at Dauntsey’s are willing to assist and, if they don’t know the answer to your question, will put you in touch with somebody who does.

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Contact Addresses:

The School mailing address is:
Dauntsey’s
West Lavington
Devizes
Wiltshire
SN10 4HE UK

Telephone Number: (+44) 1380 814500 and Email: info@dauntseys.org

You will be given a School email address on arrival, and you are also able to access other email sites.

Boarding House addresses

Dauntsey’s has five boarding houses:
The Manor – Junior boys and girls - Years 7-9 (First, Second and Third Form)
Fitzmaurice House and Mercers House – Senior boys - Years 10-13 (Fourth, Fifth, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth)
Jeanne House and Evans House – Senior girls - Years 10-13 (Fourth, Fifth, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth)

All of the Houses use the address of the School, but you need to add the name of the House before the School’s name e.g. Mercers House, Dauntsey’s School, West Lavington, Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 4HE, UK

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Useful Vocabulary

Please download our short vocabulary guide. Some words will be new and some are not in a dictionary!

Medical Form

Please complete and return to the Medical Centre by 16 May 2022:

Medical Declaration Form

Coaching Form

Tennis Coaching
Squash Coaching
To request Music lessons please click here
To request Speech and Drama lessons please click here

Letters 

Head Master's Letter to new Lower School pupils
Lower School Information Sheet
Head Master's Letter to new Sixth Form pupils
Upper School Information Sheet
School Shop Leaflet
DSPA Leaflet
Fees Letter

The DSPA is not just about making money, but about giving something back to the Parents. 

We would like to encourage you to be part of the DSPA, either by becoming part of the committee or assisting at the different functions. New ideas are always welcome. Any form of help no matter how small would be greatly welcome.