Junior School (Primary School) 7-11 Years Old
Meet Nick Bevington, Head of Junior School
Dulwich College Junior School in Singapore caters for primary students aged 7 to 11 (Years 3 to 6).
Our aim is to ensure that all students in our care are happy, confident, well motivated, enthusiastic and excited about life.
As children move through the Junior School the structure of the timetable changes in line with their developmental age. Our holistic approach combines various enrichment activities and assessment methods to promote students' well-rounded development and effective self-leadership. We aim to provide an appropriate and balanced academic challenge, which will enable each student to realise his or her potential in a safe, caring and supportive environment.
At Dulwich College (Singapore), we ensure that our curriculum reflects the needs, culture and history of our College's multinational community and of our host country Singapore and wider community. This includes bilingual learning experience with native teachers for English and Mandarin, and many other diverse subject areas.
Curriculum
The curriculum in the Junior School forms an integral part of the journey a student takes from DUCKS to our Senior School, and onwards after graduating. We believe that, to afford children the greatest future academic opportunities, curriculum should drive the mastery of academic content, higher-order thinking and a character skill set that develops students with a love of learning, resilience and reflection.
All children receive banded learning for mathematics and Mandarin, but remain with their class teacher for most lessons up to Year 5. In Year 6, in preparation for the transition to Senior School, children are taught by different subject teachers for each area of the curriculum. The College also prepares students returning to school in the UK or elsewhere for success in 7+, 11+ and common entrance examinations.
Our assessments play a key role in not only identifying student progress in these areas, but also in driving a curriculum provision that delivers it. A structured progression in content and skills in all subjects is provided by the English National Curriculum. Regular assessment allows teachers to identify each child’s starting point on this progression. Topic themes have been carefully chosen and constructed to ensure that they are relevant to the children and reflect our location, history and DNA as a Dulwich school.
We believe that children should understand and interact with our local context and community, as well as develop a stewardship for the world into which they will move after education. Entrepreneurialism and STEAM are an integral part of each year’s content.
The emphasis in Junior School is not only on deeper learning and the mastery of academic content, but also on developing critical thinking skills and an academic character that inspires self-motivated learners and long-term success. The goal is to foster the long-term retention of valuable knowledge, concepts and skills and the ability to transfer what has been retained into different contexts and situations.
Follow our Junior School students in this short video to see what life is like at Dulwich College (Singapore)
Since joining Year 1 two years ago, My daughter's confidence and independence has blossomed. From learning how to swim, to partaking in school concerts and a Poetry by Heart competition, She keeps growing with a smile. Her teachers embolden her creative inquisitiveness through drama, music, cookery and storytelling, which she has loved.
Mandarin
Daily Mandarin lessons build upon the excellent foundations of the dual language approach in DUCKS and prepare our students for success in academic qualifications. The programme reflects the importance of Mandarin as a regional and local language.
Our three language pathways ensure that native speakers of Mandarin and beginners are challenged appropriately. Integral to the Junior School curriculum is student's understanding of both the culture that surrounds the language and the traditions that underpin it, gained through opportunities such as art, music, drama, dance, stories and celebrations of major festivals.
Visit our Mandarin page to learn more.
Pastoral
Being part of the Dulwich family means that all students are known and cared for. Our strong and effective pastoral support is central to the self-efficacy of our learners and enables student well-being, safety and effective learning.
Pastoral care and wellbeing for our students is our number one priority. We believe that children who have positive emotions, positive relationships, who are engaged and feel a sense of belonging and drive will build the character needed for academic success.
These systems are all encompassing and may include activities in registration time, assemblies, wellbeing lessons, restorative practices, buddy systems, House events, class placement and challenging and engaging learning.
High Potential Learners
In the Junior School, children build upon the academic and social and emotional foundations laid in DUCKS, as they continue to develop their passion and curiosity for learning. Curriculum lessons cover a foundation of core subject knowledge and concepts, and students are encouraged to explore these concepts in new contexts of their own choice. In this way, not only do students develop a strong knowledge of the core subjects, but are also able to transfer learning between contexts and achieve deeper learning and thinking through comparison and analysis.
Our goal is to develop every child with the academic skills and mindset needed for success in the next steps in their academic journey. Our hope is that this will be with us in our Senior School, but understand that in an international context, this may mean a return to the UK, or another home country.
To learn more about our High Potential Learning programme in Junior School click here.
Enrichment
We believe that our House system is essential in developing and inspiring a sense of belonging, responsibility and contribution to College life. Our House Captains, Student Counsellors, Community Action Groups and Ambassadors lead, inspire, and listen to their peers, enabling all students to actively contribute to school improvement projects.
The Enrichment programme enhances the curriculum both inside and outside of the classroom. From the plethora of CCAs on offer across the College, to inspirational whole College enrichment experiences, there is a range of opportunities to encourage students to ‘discover their element’.
The curriculum is enhanced through the SE21 agenda which encompasses the elements of STEAM, Entrepreneurial and environmental education and 21st Century Learning Skills. Throughout different experiences, imagination is sparked.
Exciting visits, inspirational talks and themed days contribute to the experience. Each year group attends an Adventure Programme visit. Students record enrichment in their Personal Enrichment Portfolio (PEP) which goes with them on their journey through the College.
Student Leadership
We believe that student leaders have an impact on the school by motivating others, and collaborating with their teams and peers to continually improve their school. Building on the leadership experience in DUCKS, the Junior School expands the following areas of student leadership voice, service and academic. Voice ambassadors are made up of the school council which is led by the Head Students as well as House Captains and House Reps. Service ambassadors include: sustainability, welcome buddies, community, librarians, creative and sports ambassadors. Academic ambassadors include: technology, Mandarin, music, reading and learning ambassadors.
Find out how our students motivate each other to work together in achieving a shared goal
My responsibility as a House Captain is to make sure that everyone feels like they are doing something for the House when they participate. Motivating people and cheering them on helps them to feel good about themselves.
