Academic Education
Our small class sizes, 'aim high' culture, and outstanding teaching ensures that every child, regardless of their ability, is supported to fulfil their academic potential.
We broadly follow the National Curriculum from Reception until Year 6, with Dumpton pupils performing well above national standards year on year, and achieving enviable success rates in senior school admissions testing, like the ISEB Pre-Test and the 11+. In Year 7, pupils embark on their own bespoke curriculum - The Dumpton Diploma - which prepares them brilliantly for life at their chosen Senior School.
Our school motto - 'You can because you think you can' - is the cornerstone of our teaching. Teachers, as well as teaching assistants, have the highest expectations of the pupils, and encourage children to develop a powerful growth mindset towards their learning. We build on innate abilities and help every single child to aim high. Academic progress is tracked carefully and reported to parents regularly so that we can work closely with you to support your child - it's a real team effort.
Technology is used to enhance children's learning - but never to distract from it. We are a mobile phone free school, but interactive screens, computing suites, tablets and laptops are available for all pupils: we ensure that children learn how to use technology proficiently, effectively and wisely. In Year 7, every pupil receives their own Chromebook from the school so they can manage their learning even more independently and are old enough to take this privilege responsibly.
Academic Review 2023-24
The school continues to excel academically with great success rate in Academic Scholarships awarded to senior schools,as well as end of year exam results.
Achievements in the past year included:
Both Maths and English performance well above National Average.
95% of pupils across Year 1 – 8 are working at or above in English and Maths.
51% of pupils in the school are working above or well above National Average in Maths.
44% of pupils in school are working above or well above National Average in English.
5 Academic Scholarships, 2 Music scholarships, 2 Sports scholarships awarded to Canford.
5 Sports scholarships, 1 Performing Arts scholarship, 1 All-Rounder scholarship for Bryanston.
1 Clayesmore Sports scholarship.
1 Millfield Sports scholarship.
2 pupils qualified for final round of the Townsend-Warner History Prize, a National Prep School History competition.
6 Gold certificates awarded in the Primary Maths Challenge- 4 children qualified for the Bonus Round and one was awarded a Bronze award.
83% of UKMT Junior Maths Challenge entrants earned a certificate: 4 Golds awarded, 3 qualified for the Junior Kangaroo Round.
1 pupil earned a Merit award, which is thehighest award you can get on that paper.
215 Maths Competency certificates awarded for Year 3-6.
The school has once again been shortlisted for the ISOY Prep School of the Year Award 2024.
95% of pupils offered a place at Canford following Pre-Test day.
Year 8 group were Winners of the Canford Prep School Geography Quiz.