Dean Close Preparatory School A GSG School
- Dean Close Preparatory School
Lansdown Road
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL51 6QS - Head: Mr P J Moss
- T 01242 258000
- F 01242 258005
- E dcpsoffice@deanclose.org.uk
- W www.deanclose.org.uk
- A mainstream independent school for pupils aged from 2 to 13 with a linked senior school
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Gloucestershire
- Pupils: 447
- Religion: Church of England/Evangelical
- Fees: Day £9,375 - £23,085; Boarding £23,835 - £30,585 pa
- Open days: October, March and May
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- ISI report: View the ISI report
- Linked schools: Dean Close School
What The Good Schools Guide says..
Sport caters for those who have never touched a rugby ball through to those on a county or national pathway. ‘My son hated rugby and now it’s his favourite sport.’ New head of drama is adding sparkle. Superb plays in the 350-seater auditorium (with green room) range from Toad of Toad Hall to Shakespeare. Overall, the school is a positive place where youngsters frequently dress up (and some teachers too – the deputy head was dressed as a hotdog on our visit) and use eg bingo games to learn about the Tudors. A parent told us how her son…
What the school says...
At Dean Close Preparatory School we focus on individual development, helping to nurture each child's strengths and talents. The small classes and excellent facilities ensure above average academic results. DCPS is a Christian school with a warm caring family atmosphere.
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Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
Sports
Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.
Shooting
What The Good Schools Guide says
Head
Since 2015, Paddy Moss, BA in geography and economics (SOAS), QTS (Canterbury Christ Church University) via on-the-job training at a prep in Deal. Much of his teaching career has been spent in Kenya, with a stint at St Andrew’s Eastbourne in between trips. Though Cheltenham may be less exotic, he clearly adores his job and, as a self-confessed ‘mover and shaker’, he says he’d ‘never want the school to stand still’. So far, he has introduced new pastoral and tutor systems, as well as developing a syllabus ‘to promote love of learning’ and ‘link the curriculum more closely with the senior school’.
Charming and vivacious, he hits that sweet spot of an aura that naturally demands respect, while also having a jolly good sense of fun. Parents say he knows...
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Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
Dean Close Preparatory School caters for mild dyslexia and literacy difficulties. Sessions are arranged on a withdrawal or in-class support basis according to need; delivered by two specialst trained teachers and supplemented by a qualified Learning Support assistant who is currently undergoing specialist dyslexia training. Lessons are arranged for small groups, pairs or on a one to one basis. Should the need arise, study skills and curriculum support are available. The school has just implemented numeracy support; one member of staff is about to undertake specialist training and another dyscalculia trained teacher joined the staff in January 2008. 10-09
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