Age range. 3–13.
Number of pupils. 223: 132 Day Boys, 91 Day Girls.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Nursery: £4,200 (exempt from VAT) (8.45 am to 3.00 pm, 5 days); Reception: £5,322; Years 1–2: £5,808; Years 3–4: £7,020; Years 5–6: £7,218; Years 7–8: £7,290.
We believe that all children have their own interests, skills and talents, but all too often these remain hidden. Dolphin School offers an environment which encourages individuality to flourish. Children leave Dolphin with self-belief, a strong sense of identity, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to adjust sensitively to different schools and social situations. Throughout life, in a rapidly changing world, our students will have the adaptability to successfully pursue their goals and interests, in order to lead happy and fulfilled lives.
Dolphin children are encouraged to develop as individuals and are guided to fulfil their potential, in small classes, under the careful guidance of specialist teachers. Abundant academic, artistic, social and sporting stimulation is provided through a varied, broad, well-rounded curriculum. We encourage lateral thinking and the ability to link concepts and ideas across subject and topic areas. Expectations for all children are high and academic rigour is a key component in all lessons.
The average class size in Years 3–8 is 16, although this can vary year to year. Children learn to take part in constructive and dynamic dialogue, to consider and respect the opinions of others, to take pride in their own achievements, but also the accomplishments of others. They are encouraged to accept responsibility and to develop leadership skills.
Dolphin School provides the friendly, family atmosphere of a small school. There is no school uniform, and most staff are addressed by their first name; this informality creates a strong bond between all members of our community fostering a culture of warmth and familiarity. All members of staff are actively engaged in the pastoral care of our children, and form teachers assume special responsibility for the daily wellbeing and overall progress of their small group of children.
In a world where children are encouraged to demonstrate independence, resilience, confidence and individuality, Dolphin School strives to realise this aim through its forward-thinking and progressive approach to teaching and learning.
Courses offered. At Dolphin, children are taught by subject specialists from Year 3, and in some cases, from Nursery! In Early Years we provide a firm grounding in literacy and articulacy. French begins in Nursery, Latin in Year Six, and Spanish in Year Seven. Laboratory-based Science is taught from Year 3. English, Mathematics, Geography, History, ICT, Global Citizenship, Classics, Art, Drama, Music and PE are all taught by subject specialists from Year 3 upwards. Teachers seek ways and create opportunities to link their own subject to others, with a strong cross-curricular approach integral to teaching and learning at Dolphin. Throughout the year, children in Years 3–8 now have the opportunity to complete their DPQ (Dolphin Project Qualification), which is tailored to suit lesson content and teaching in school, and to stretch and inspire our students. Our DPQs give students the chance to develop life skills – collaboration, independent research, analysis, IT use and oral presentations – that will serve them well in the years ahead.
Activities. A unique feature of a Dolphin School education is our extensive residential field trip programme. These start from Year 3. Annual field trips include visits to East Sussex, Dorset, Ironbridge, North Wales, Northumbria and Italy, while the French and Drama departments organise residential trips to Boulogne and Stratford respectively. We also offer an extensive mountain-walking programme, with staff and children participating in graded fell-walking from Year 5 onwards. Locations include the Brecon Beacons, the Lake District, Snowdonia and the Alps.
We believe in ‘hands-on’ learning, whether in or outside the classroom, and all Dolphin students also benefit from an extensive range of inspiring and stimulating day trips throughout the year.
Almost all costs associated with field, walking and day trips are included in the fees, as are lunchtime and after-school clubs which usually include: athletics, tennis, cricket, computer programming, swimming, football, netball, arts and crafts, hockey, chess, cross-country, rugby, art, music, orienteering, gardening, team building, engineering, debating, exam skills and drama.
We field teams from Year 2 in football, hockey, cricket, netball, swimming, cross-country and athletics. We are well represented at county level and a large number of our students play with distinction for local clubs.
Facilities. Our hall offers a splendid venue for assemblies, school concerts and plays. We stage several major productions each year. Grounds include a swimming pool, two tennis courts, netball courts, a brand-new Astroturf, and large playing fields. We also have our very own ‘copse’, where our highly acclaimed forest school takes place. Cricket matches are hosted at the nearby Hurst Cricket Club, with hockey matches played on our own Astro or the excellent facilities at Cantley Park.
Entry. We welcome new students into any year group and children can join us at any point in the school year. Our staff and pupils are open and friendly, providing a warm welcome. Nursery at age 3+, Reception at age 4+, and at any time throughout Years 1–8.
Examination results. Our examination results are very strong and we frequently win scholarships (academic, drama and sport) to leading senior independent schools, including Abingdon, The Abbey, Queen Anne’s and Leighton Park. We have a thriving Old Delphinian organisation. Most past pupils gain good degrees with a disproportionately high number going on to study at Oxbridge.