Independent and
forward-thinking
curriculum
Learning
The Davenies Curriculum is independent and forward-thinking. By going beyond the National Curriculum and incorporating the best of the Independent Schools Examination Board syllabus, we can provide a bespoke curriculum that enables us to offer academic excellence alongside an extensive educational experience. Our enthusiastic, friendly and well-qualified staff deliver a broad and balanced education through a combination of traditional and modern teaching methods involving both class-based and specialist teaching.
Subjects
The Head of Department for each subject area ensures that an up-to-date and challenging curriculum is delivered to all Davenies pupils. Ongoing assessment is relevant and pupil progress is tracked to inform future teaching and learning goals.
At Davenies, we believe that the learning process must Engage, Inspire and Challenge every child that attends. Teaching and learning is supported by a wide range of resources and Co-Curricular Activities. The ethos and values that are inherent to the School support and enhance enthusiasm for lifelong learning and encourage independence of thought. The boys develop self-esteem, a wide range of knowledge, essential communication skills and the drive to enhance and excel in education.
Take a look at our range of subjects in the following videos:
Homework, Assessment and Reporting
Reporting
Parents evenings are held twice during the academic year, with a full written reports covering each subject produced once a year for boys in Years 3–8. Pre-Prep classes have a twice-yearly written report – a short report (English, Mathematics, Form Tutor) at the end of the Autumn Term and a full report at the end of the Summer Term.
For boys in Years 3–8, half-termly grades are given for all subjects for engagement and application, and the boys are involved in self-assessment enabling them to recognise their next steps and how to take them. Parents are also provided with an attainment score for examinable subjects.
For boys in Years 5–8, exam results, showing individual achievement, as well as class/set/year group average is sent out to parents.
Curriculum Booklets are sent out to all year groups showing what we teach in each subject and at what point in the year objectives are covered.
Assessment
Effective assessment provides information to improve the quality of the boys’ learning and helps to build an academic picture of progression of the pupils over time. To do this, we undertake two different, but complementary types of assessment: assessment for learning (formative) and assessment of learning (summative).
Progress is continually monitored through observation, marking and feedback on work and skills and through more formal assessment opportunities appropriate to age.
Homework (Prep)
At Davenies, a variety of age-appropriate Prep activities are set for boys. Tasks may develop, extend or consolidate work from class, or involve research into a new topic, or preparation for the next lesson. It may be written, or take the form of a creative or digital project. Prep helps pupils to develop the skills of an independent learner, promote a partnership between home and school in supporting each child’s learning and enable pupils to make maximum progress in their academic development.
From Reception through to Year 8, boys are expected to read daily. From Year 3, all boys are able to access our Accelerated Reader scheme to encourage positive reading habits further, with rewards for their efforts in the form of ‘points’ towards a half termly target.
Years 1 and 2, Phonics and Maths homework are set weekly. In the Junior School, this increases to English, Handwriting, Spelling, Maths and Times Tables each week, and by Year 5, Prep is set via Teams to encourage further independence and organisation skills. The boys can also expect homework twice weekly for Maths and English, and once a week for Science and French. In Years 6–8, all examinable subjects have Prep weekly.
