The English as an Additional Language (EAL) department offers one-to-one English language support for pupils at the Dragon for whom English is not their first language. Our teachers provide children with the support they need in order to build their confidence and really thrive at the Dragon. We work closely with individual subject and form […]
The Activities Programme is part of the school day and therefore what the children do is decided by the school which ensures a healthier balance to each individual programme. As well as the compulsory Activity sessions, we offer a variety of after-school clubs that are mainly voluntary (between 3.10 pm and 4.15 pm). Some children are required to attend certain “Teacher Selected Clubs” such as extra Sport coaching and Choir rehearsals but in the main the choice is down to the individual child and his/her parents.
During your child’s time at the Dragon, they will be offered the chance to go on a range of tours and expeditions. Some are open to all comers, some are applicable only to children in a certain year, and others such as the Music or Sports Tours, are by invitation only.
QUEST is open to both day and boarding children, and provides the opportunity for our young Dragons to experience a wide range of new and inspiring activities. The academic and pastoral benefits for the children are plentiful, whilst providing flexibility and choice to meet the diverse and evolving needs of modern Dragon families.
PSHEE education at the Dragon is a planned, developmental programme of learning through which children and young people acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives now and in the future.
Sport offers so much to an individual and we are confident there is something for everyone in the extensive Games programme available at the Dragon. The emphasis is on fun and participation, whilst making sure our elite sides extend the talented individuals involved, often to regional and national standard.
Our youngest Dragons, at Pre-Prep level, are arguably the most creative and hopeful when it comes to tackling social and environmental impact challenges. Each academic year exposes them to fresh and inspiring activities to develop life-long skills that are essential as they journey through the Dragon, future schools and later life.
Investigative and exploratory work involves children in the gradual development of their ability to observe carefully, predict, plan, record and interpret results. We encourage children to reflect on their answers and ways of improving an investigation.
Religious Studies are taught as part of the creative curriculum topics where links can be made and as a discrete subject when this isn’t possible. Relevant issues are developed and discussed further in class assemblies, Pre-Prep assemblies and PSHEE/Circle Times.
The social and emotional development of the children sits firmly alongside their academic development and a key part of this is our PSHEE curriculum. All children have a PSHEE lesson each week with the Head of Pre-Prep.
The Games programme is based around learning the core skills of hand eye coordination, teamwork and ball skills. Children are introduced to a variety of sports as they progress through the Pre-Prep including football, rugby, hockey, netball, tennis, cricket and athletics.
Children are introduced to a wide range of tuned and untuned percussion instruments, work on their listening skills, composing and performance. Some children take music exams, however the focus is on generating an enjoyment of playing and good practice routines.
Children are introduced to Numeracy through practical, mental and written mathematical activities. We recognise it is essential for children to develop understanding of maths and have the skills to apply their knowledge.
From the moment children enter the Pre-Prep in Reception, their starting point and subsequent progress is monitored and particular strengths and weaknesses noted. Members of our specialist Learning Support Department have a link with each class which they visit weekly observing activities and discussing strategies to help children learn more effectively.
Children at the Pre-Prep begin familiarising themselves with a variety of equipment and media from the start of their time with us. From mastering research skills and extending their learning using interactive software to taking their first steps in understanding coding, children are taught to develop healthy and safe attitudes towards the tools at their disposal.
Dragon School is committed to raising awareness of global responsibility amongst our children from Pre-Prep through to Prep. Children explore aspects of human and physical geography that affect their surroundings locally, nationally and worldwide.
The essential elements taught at Pre-Prep are those of fun and confidence. The principle objective being that the children enjoy learning French as a language.
Reading and writing are taught through a range of methods, including phonics, and activities are linked to the theme for the term. The ability to question and communicate are key to both learning and life in general and are encouraged from the first day in Reception.
Drama and performance at the Pre-Prep builds confidence, develops skills and encourages teamwork. In all its guises, Drama plays a large part of life at the Dragon.
DT at Dragon School draws on the children’s knowledge from other subjects and enhances their work. Making skills are developed through focused practical tasks.
Art is an integral part of the whole curriculum, children’s work is celebrated and displayed colourfully throughout the school.
The Dragon strives to provide stimulating and accessible preparation for pupils given the different challenges they will face sitting pre-tests, attending assessment days and having interviews, to achieve a place in their senior school of choice.
As educators in science, we are in the fortunate position where the excitement and dynamism of the subject is in itself a wonderful motivator for learning. There is an in-built ‘need’ to question further at the Dragon, to explore and to seize and run with the characteristics of their positive role models, the teachers.
The PE department provides a positive learning environment, in which children can develop a love for sport and fitness. We emphasise the importance of an active lifestyle and provide children with a variety of opportunities to find an area or sport that suits each child.
The collective aim of the Music Department is to fire enthusiasm of the musically talented and offer opportunities for all through music. We help every child to achieve their musical potential and there are a number of performance opportunities at every level, both within school and in public.
Our Modern Languages Department promotes an appreciation of other languages and cultures and a passion for language learning. We recognise the effectiveness of traditional methods but also constantly experiment with new strategies and resources to ensure that our children are engaged and excited by their language lessons.
Maths isn’t a ‘black and white’ subject; the goal is not the answer, but the process, and there are many different ways of arriving at the solution. The challenge is unpicking and analysing the underlying concepts, extending problems and drawing connections between ideas. The aim is that maths intrigues, inspires and makes real sense.
Dragon School Library is a positive, relaxed environment where students can immerse themselves in other worlds, develop their own interests and become life-long book lovers along the way. The Library runs a number of events and activities throughout the year, including author talks, story writing competitions and reading challenges.
Learning Support plays a central role at the Dragon, offering support in developing a child’s individual skills. We aim to celebrate neurodiversity, raise confidence and help children learn in ways that play to their strengths and help to develop independent learning.
Our philosophy is to educate our children about computing by doing our best to remove the fear of technology, giving them the confidence to try new things, and providing them with the tools they need to achieve their goals independently.
History is, above all, the study of human behaviour, and children learn about themselves and their society in a uniquely meaningful way. Pupils study local history, the history of the Dragon School, Roman Britain, the Home Front, the Victorians, and African and Mayan civilisations.
Geography explores values and issues, challenges stereotypes and encourages our young Dragons to think for themselves. Pupils are able to draw on their vast wealth of personal experiences to bring more insight, interest and relevance to our studies.
FPE at the Dragon is academically rigorous, engaging and far-reaching, providing the children with a greater understanding of religious belief, of ethical and moral problems and of critical and philosophical thinking.
The English department aims to excite and enthuse children about language and literature. Emphasis is placed on both the discussion and the formation of individual opinions in response to reading, as well as the development of creative and technical writing skills. Time is spent consolidating the basics of reading, spelling, grammar and handwriting in a well-resourced and lively environment.
Pupils perform in a wide variety of school productions that are of the highest quality and some individuals gain major parts in west-end productions.
Children apply their decision-making skills and work ethics through project work. Design & Technology encourages children to become competent and confident in conceiving, designing and producing a range of technological products of good quality.
Latin and Greek as taught at the Dragon gives pupils the chance to learn these languages at an appropriate pace, presenting them with a fair, intriguing and rewarding challenge.
The Art department, housed in three purpose built studios, is an energising place where pupils experience a wide range of media and materials through a stimulating curriculum.