Davenies School A GSG School
- Davenies School
73 Station Road
Beaconsfield
Buckinghamshire
HP9 1AA - Head: Alastair Thomas
- T 01494 685400
- F 01494 685408
- E [email protected]
- W www.davenies.co.uk/
- An independent school for boys aged from 4 to 13.
- Read about the best schools in Buckinghamshire
- Boarding: No
- Local authority: Buckinghamshire
- Pupils: 333
- Religion: None
- Fees: £14,130 - £21,360 pa (last updated on 19/08/2024)
- Open days: Year 7 Open Evening - Monday 7 October; Whole School Open Morning - Saturday 19 October.
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- ISI report: View the ISI report
What The Good Schools Guide says..
Visitors enter through the charming grade 2 listed former Georgian farm house, complete with original panelling, roaring fire and honours boards that give it a trad feel, plus stylish and architecturally interesting modern additions. School describes boys as ‘fine, upstanding – with a bit of mischief’. Those we lunched with (we can recommend the mac and cheese) were just that: chatty and articulate and when we asked them to describe Davenies in three words, all included ‘fun’...
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What The Good Schools Guide says
Headmaster
Since September 2024, Alastair Thomas, previously head of the Manor Prep, Abingdon. He was educated at Felsted School before moving to London to read French at King’s College London. Following a brief stint at the John Lewis Partnership, he began his teaching career at Kingshott Prep School in Hertfordshire. Thence to Herefordshire (for the first time) as head of French and Latin at The Downs in Colwall. An academic deputy headship followed at Lambrook School before he was appointed to his first headship at The Elms School, also in Colwall!
Away from school life, his main interests lie in sport, particularly cricket, rugby, golf, tennis and skiing. He also loves music and ‘attempts to’ play the saxophone, flute and double bass. Married to a teacher and has two daughters both studying in the local area.
Entrance
Non-selective. Forty places in two form entry reception on a first come, first served basis. No official intake into year 3, although a handful of places usually crop up at this point. Seven or eight join most years in year 7 from local state primaries and, in recent years, Gayhurst School.
Exit
Of the 40 boys in year 6, around a third to local grammars or (occasionally) independents. Those who stay head to a range of day and boarding schools at 13+. In 2024, most went to Shiplake College, Berkhamsted and Haileybury. Others to Amersham School, Brighton College, Cheltenham College, Eton, Merchant Taylors’, Reading Blue Coat, St Paul’s and Wellington College. Six scholarships in 2024.
Our view
Founded in 1940 by the Petty family who relocated an existing school from Northwood and appointed their son in law, the Reverend Newton, as headmaster. School motto, ‘singulus pro fraternitate’ (each striving for the good of all) delightfully inspired by the Rev Newton’s observations of the sense of community in his beehives, kept to provide and sell honey when sugar was rationed during the war. Urban location in the heart of Beaconsfield. Visitors enter through the charming grade 2 listed former Georgian farm house, complete with original panelling, roaring fire and honours boards that give it a trad feel, plus stylish and architecturally interesting modern additions. Parents and pupils use an alternative (and rather less aesthetically pleasing) conduit via Sainsbury’s car park (cue groans and eye-rolling all round from parent body forced to navigate their 4x4s into ‘tiny spaces’) to take them into the cleverly designed site with its surprising host of excellent facilities. Modest playing fields supplemented by a reciprocal agreement with neighbouring St Mary’s primary who allow use of theirs in exchange for access to Davenies’ super indoor pool (it’s the only boys’ prep in the area with one). Jolly, bright and modern classrooms for all ages, spread across different buildings to keep little ones safe from the rough and tumble of their older peers as well as to give the eldest boys a sense of differentiation and responsibility. Super indoor/outdoor play space for pre-prep pupils and separate outdoor play equipment for years 3 and 4. Wonderful art department (the tidiest we’ve ever seen), flooded with natural light and equipped with two potters’ wheels and kiln. Plays, concerts and assemblies take place in a multi-purpose hall and there’s also an enormous sports hall for indoor games and PE. New SciTech centre on the cards.
Parents choosing a school in this most leafy and affluent of commuter towns have a host of outstanding local primary schools in the vicinity to smooth (admittedly with the prolific engagement of tutors), should they wish, a path to the top state maintained grammar schools in south Bucks, and those leaning towards educating their sons in the private sector will most likely be considering three (possibly four if boarding’s on the cards) prep schools in the area; in short, competition is fierce. But with Davenies not too big, not too macho and not too focused on (or exclusive of) any one destination (‘all options are on the table at Davenies,’ says school), if Goldilocks were comparing Davenies to its local competitors, she would probably describe it as ‘just right’. Overall vibe is friendly and purposeful; favourable comments about the boys’ behaviour oft overheard in next door Starbucks (years 7 and 8 have ‘home passes’ and can await their lifts there after school if they wish) and school describes boys as ‘fine, upstanding – with a bit of mischief’. Those we lunched with (we can recommend the mac and cheese) were just that: chatty and articulate and when we asked them to describe Davenies in three words, all included ‘fun’.
Solid academics have ‘been taken to a new level’ in recent years, say parents, who describe teachers as ‘a highly motivated group’. Particular strengths in maths (Singapore style teaching led by dynamic new departmental head – parents invited to ‘how to’ sessions) and MFL (taught by effervescent native French speaker who also runs French cinema club, oversees production of French language magazine and writing of French play plus, apparently, raps). History teaching ‘fabulous’, say parents, and English ‘improving’. French from reception, with Spanish from year 3 and Latin from year 6. ‘No pressure’ approach throughout, according to parents, but expectations build gradually, and crucially teachers are proactive in their communications with parents – ‘we never have to contact the school; they always get to us first’, said one. Major focus on reading; accelerated reading scheme from year 3 (parents report formerly reluctant readers now reaching ‘willingly’ for books) and years 3 and 4 have four 20 minute reading periods per week. We approve. New focus on STEM and computing (another passionate new HOD as driving force) has started to bring together science, maths, DT and computing; strong on robotics. Study skills on curriculum in years 5 and 6 and the ‘Davenies learning words’ – courage, perseverance, reflection, enthusiasm and curiosity – are visible throughout the school. Setting for maths and English from year 5, with the two year 7 classes split into three sets. Year 8 split into three streams with the X set focusing on scholarship preparation which is ‘rigorous’, according to parents. Supportive of pupils taking Bucks 11+ but no specific tuition offered. Prep for the ISEB pre-test takes place during lunch times during lead-up. Part time SENCo supported by four learning support teachers plus a maths specialist; parents of children with additional needs report ‘fantastic’ support, describing department as ‘stand out’. Can support mild to moderate SPLd; mainly within classroom but if required, one-to-one sessions take place before and after school at no additional cost and some boys given additional English and maths lessons in place of Latin.
At the time of our visit, the ‘very traditional’ music offering – although there were no complaints – was considered by parents to be the underdog to drama, but on paper it ticks the boxes, with plenty of peripatetic teaching plus choirs and ensembles for all. New director of music is on the way, though, along with plans for a new facility, so watch this space. Drama, on the other hand, is reportedly ‘wonderful’. On curriculum from years 3 to 8, with productions galore from a traditional Christmas nativity for the youngest pupils to year group plays for the middle years (recently an abridged works of Shakespeare for year 5s), a newly introduced year 6 play and major senior productions, in recent years The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Toad of Toad Hall and Oliver! Head of drama, formerly of Wellington College, ‘really gets the most out of the boys’, say parents. Huge LAMDA take-up, with an excellent clutch of results come exam time.
With some ferocious local sporting opposition on the fixture list, the Davenies of yesteryear was not seen as particularly serious competition. But previous head was ‘much more behind sport’ (particularly rugby) than his predecessor and following the appointment of a new dedicated rugby coach (‘exceptional’, say parents), plus increased pitch time, including structured pre-season training for all major sports (rugby, football and cricket), results are on the up, although the inclusive ‘sport for all’ ethos still remains and the only parental grumbles were related to far-flung fixtures. Plenty of opportunities to compete in minor sports too – school fields teams in eg fencing, badminton (recently placed third in the IAPS competition), athletics, cross-country and tennis amongst others.
The extra-curricular day starts at 7.45am with breakfast club, and older pupils can stay for clubs or prep until 6.00pm. Something for everyone on the activities list – up to 60 clubs on offer with all the usuals plus quirky options such as handbells (junior and senior), NFL, sailing (in Bray) and comic book creation; strong take-up of these, with boys participating in three clubs a week on average. School also has its own Cubs pack – and hut to boot. Years 7 and 8 spend Monday afternoons participating in the Davenies Award Scheme which sees them benefit from activities including entrepreneurship, financial education and first aid, plus coaching in crucial life skills such as ironing, sewing on a shirt button or how to behave in chapel. Optional Whacky Weekend programme also in place for top two years to get out and about with a variety of fun outings including go-karting, curry nights and African drumming workshops. Trips are ‘massive’, bright eyed pupils told us (parents also delighted that the majority are included in fees). Annual residentials from year 4 start in Devon for the younger boys and build up to a major outdoor pursuits week in Wales in year 8 (Isle of Wight, Peak District and Normandy visited along the way).
Parents told us that Davenies is a school that’s ‘all about the boys’ and ‘small enough for everyone to be known’. Pastoral team comprises heads of year, SENCo and ‘school sister’ (matron), there’s an annual anonymous anti-bullying survey and a new peer mentor programme, with year 8 boys trained to run break time sessions to listen to the concerns of their younger peers. Top two years are split into small tutor groups, remaining with the same tutor for the remainder of their time at the school. Major focus on service and sense of social responsibility integral to school culture, with plenty of inter-house charity initiatives; ‘when the Grenfell disaster happened, the boys immediately started raising money’, one parent told us. Active parents’ association raises funds for school through host of social occasions, not least a biennial summer ball, apparently ‘on everyone’s list of best nights of the year’.
Money matters
Scholarships and exhibitions for existing and new pupils available for years 7 and 8, worth up to 75 per cent of fees (means-tested).
The last word
Not only going from strength to strength but quietly moving from cosy local prep to major contender, especially if you want to keep all senior school options open. One for the list.
Special Education Needs
Condition | Provision for in school |
---|---|
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Might cover/be referred to as;
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), PDA , Social skills, Sensory processing disorder |
Y |
HI - Hearing Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Hearing Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment |
|
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Learning needs, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty |
|
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, Sensory processing |
|
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic , OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, Tics, Tourettes |
Y |
PD - Physical Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
PD - Physical Disability |
Y |
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty |
|
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Might cover/be referred to as;
Anxiety , Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Trauma |
Y |
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
Might cover/be referred to as;
DLD - Developmental Language Disorder, Selective mutism, SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication |
Y |
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, Cerebral Palsy (CP) |
|
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Auditory Processing, DCD, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting, Other specific learning difficulty, SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) |
Y |
VI - Visual Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Special facilities for Visually Impaired, VI - Visual Impairment |
Leavers' destinations
School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Shiplake College | 2024 | 10 | 2 | Scholarships: 2 Sports |
Berkhamsted School | 2024 | 4 | 1 | Scholarships: 1 drama |
Haileybury | 2024 | 4 | ||
Merchant Taylors' School | 2024 | 3 | 1 | Scholarships: 1 Academic |
Wellington College | 2024 | 3 | ||
Amersham School | 2024 | 1 | ||
Brighton College | 2024 | 1 | ||
Cheltenham College | 2024 | 1 | ||
Eton College | 2024 | 1 | 1 | Scholarships: 1 Music |
Reading Blue Coat School | 2024 | 1 | ||
St Paul's School | 2024 | 1 | 1 | Scholarships: 1 Academic |
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