Headmaster's Letter 23rd May 2024

Community is such an important part of school life, and this was perfectly illustrated last night at the Dumpton Friends Christmas Party.

I hope every day is a special day at Dumpton – but some days are more special than others. Thursday was one of those. 

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

Parents will know our decision to freeze fees for the remainder of the year has given you much needed certainty, but, as soon as is practical in the S...

The better we understand your child, the better our chance of ensuring that we can understand them and support them, and help them feel that powerful ...

Harvest Assembly and thank you to every single pupil who donated items to Wimborne Foodbank today – I could barely walk through the front hall to my o...

I am so proud that we do so much to prioritise pupil wellbeing at Dumpton. We of course hope that every child at Dumpton is happy, healthy and thrivin...

Each week at Dumpton we are guided by a theme. Each theme acts as a signpost for our conversations that week, and each theme contributes in its own wa...

We received the exciting news last week that Dumpton is a Finalist in the Independent School of the Year Awards, for 'Co-educational School of the Yea...

Dear Parents This week, our first full week, feels like it has captured brilliantly what a Dumpton education is all about. On the one hand, wa...

What a terrific start to term. Despite the best efforts of the weather, it has been wonderful to see so many smiling faces as we have started the scho...

One of the things I love about working in a 13+ Prep School is the interactions between our older and younger pupils. Children can spend over a decade...

This is my favourite time of the school year. Though life is incredibly busy, the children are at their absolute best – bursting with confidence towar...

On its 80th anniversary, it has been a privilege to talk to the children about D-Day. How I have enjoyed explaining to the children the scale and ambi...

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” Helen Keller 

I wrote last week about children stepping out of their comfort zones and embracing adventures, and how this is something built into the ethos of the s...

By making the choice to send your pupils to Dumpton, you are I already helping your children to be gently stretched and challenged each day. Our cultu...

Watching the school assemble on the front lawn today for our whole school photo was a timely reminder of how amazing childhood is.

Dear Parents There are only two more weeks to get your tickets for the Enchanted Woodland Ball at School on Saturday 18th May! We are so looking ...

Striking a balance between excellent academic achievement and character education remains a key priority at Dumpton. Not only do we want pupils to get...

With the House Cross Country taking place next week, this week marks the end of the Netball and Hockey season for our girls and boys. And what a brill...

We really do believe ‘performing arts is for all’, and that every single child stands to gain so much from these opportunities – not just the enjoymen...

We should all be bursting with pride today: your children have been brilliant on their Global Citizenship Day.

They say ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and this week was a real reminder to me how important it is we continue to lean on one another, and wor...

It was Internet Safety Day on Tuesday, so I wanted to take this opportunity to mention to all parents the importance of keeping our children safe onli...

In a world where you can be anything.... Be kind. 

Scholarships are not about rewarding talent – they recognise children who are making the most of their talents.

I am delighted to publish the amazing array of speakers and topics lined up for our ‘Dumpton Talks Week’, which takes place from Monday 19th to Friday...

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." ― Anais Nin.

A new year is always full of new opportunity, and despite the dark and dreary weather, the return to school in January has always been a special time ...

What a wonderful end to the term it has been! Christmas in a Prep School is truly a joyous place to be, and I have barely been able to wipe the grin o...

What a treat the Nursery and Pre-Prep Christmas performances have been this week. ‘Performing Arts for All’ is very much part of our vision at Dumpton...

The sense of community at Dumpton is so important. I know it means so much to you as parents to feel that Dumpton is not simply a place that educates ...

It has been a fantastic week at Dumpton for all sorts of reasons, but perhaps a highlight for me has been some of the wonderful sporting moments.  

It’s rather incredible that little old Dumpton is celebrating its 120th year this year.

It was a beautifully observed Remembrance Service today at school. A haunting, melancholic version of Flanders Fields from the Senior Choir was follow...

The theme of the week was Resilience, one of the seven character virtues that make up #TheDumptonWay. In the Pre-Prep, Resilience has been explored th...

We believe our success is built on the superb staff who 'set the weather' and create the culture of the school through our commitment to the values of...

“In diversity, there is beauty, and there is strength”  Maya Angelou  

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”  ― Mother Teresa 

I represented Dumpton at the IAPS Conference in Liverpool earlier this week, with over 300 other Heads of Prep Schools in attendance from the UK and r...

“No matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment” Carol Dweck

Dear Parents It is only the first full week of the term, but we welcomed back some very happy, but very weary Y5and Y8 pupils today after a fairl...

What a brilliant three days. Things have been buzzing with enthusiasm and positivity here at Dumpton since the children returned on Wednesday. It has ...

In my last letter of the year, I am really proud to announce that Dumpton has been shortlisted for the ‘Independent Prep School of the Year’ Award. Th...

This week we were fortunate to have not one, but two Sports Days – events which I think always reflect the very best of Dumpton. 

As this newsletter shows, there is an incredible range of experiences and opportunities for the pupils here at Dumpton – but for all the exciting co-c...

From some record-breaking performances at the Wessex Regional Athletics meets, to Y7’s conquering an 8 mile hike in the Purbecks, some brilliance fro...

This week at Dumpton, our theme of the week was ‘Living our Values.’ You will not, I hope, need reminding of our core values at Dumpton. ‘Be Kind’ and...

As I write, outside my study window I can see the Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep children and staff are enjoying a lovely picnic on the front lawn togethe...

One of the joys of a Prep School is seeing our youngest and oldest pupils come together – in very few other settings can children as much as ten years...

We were honoured, and indeed very proud, to find out this week that we have been chosen as a national finalist for the prestigious Muddy Stilettos ‘Ou...