Purpose of Intervention
Lower School Overview:
A Foundation for Success at DBS
A Foundation for Success at DBS
The Lower School at DBS marks the beginning of a child’s educational journey, providing a carefully structured and nurturing environment for children aged 2 to 11, from Mini Dragons through to Year 6. We are committed to nurturing each child’s development through progressive stages that align with their natural growth, laying the foundation for academic excellence and a lifelong love of learning.
Our vision is to empower every child to develop the skills, confidence and mindset needed to always strive for greater things, offering a rich and meaningful education every step of the way.
Our vision is to empower every child to develop the skills, confidence and mindset needed to always strive for greater things, offering a rich and meaningful education every step of the way.
Curriculum Highlights:
A Strong Foundation for Lifelong Learning
A Strong Foundation for Lifelong Learning
Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed around the English National Curriculum, offering a diverse and engaging learning experience from early years through Year 6. Children develop essential skills in English, maths and science alongside creativity in art, music, computing and languages.
We provide a broad range of after-school activities where every child can explore and develop their unique interests and talents. By embedding our core values of courage, humility, empathy, integrity and generosity, we cultivate confident, compassionate learners ready to thrive and contribute meaningfully in school and beyond.
We provide a broad range of after-school activities where every child can explore and develop their unique interests and talents. By embedding our core values of courage, humility, empathy, integrity and generosity, we cultivate confident, compassionate learners ready to thrive and contribute meaningfully in school and beyond.
Mini Dragons:
A Safe and Nurturing Start for Our Youngest Learners
A Safe and Nurturing Start for Our Youngest Learners
Our youngest learners are immersed in a safe, play-rich environment where rich physical and sensory experiences and early language development ignite curiosity and nurture essential social skills. They are gently cared for and guided by our experienced educators who respond to each child’s individual needs and interests, providing the emotional security and encouragement needed to explore and grow.
At the heart of all we do is a deep commitment to nurturing strong and trusting relationships with each child, their family and the wider community, because we know these connections are the foundation of meaningful learning.
At the heart of all we do is a deep commitment to nurturing strong and trusting relationships with each child, their family and the wider community, because we know these connections are the foundation of meaningful learning.
Nursery-Reception:
Playful Learning, Powerful Foundations
Playful Learning, Powerful Foundations
As children move into Nursery and Reception, we build on the wonderful start made in Mini Dragons, laying strong foundations for future learning. Our dedicated teachers and Learning Assistants create warm, welcoming spaces where children feel happy, confident and ready to learn. Classrooms are language rich and thoughtfully planned, full of exciting opportunities to explore, play and discover.
Carefully introduced specialist lessons such as swimming, PE, Thai and, in Reception, Mandarin, are woven into the week in a way that keeps our Early Years ethos at the heart, ensuring learning stays playful, meaningful and rooted in the children’s interests. Reading plays a key role each day, with children enjoying story times, exploring books and beginning their reading journey through our engaging phonics programme, helping them to develop a love of stories.
Above all, each child is known, cared for and supported to grow emotionally, socially and academically as they take these important early steps on their learning journey.
Carefully introduced specialist lessons such as swimming, PE, Thai and, in Reception, Mandarin, are woven into the week in a way that keeps our Early Years ethos at the heart, ensuring learning stays playful, meaningful and rooted in the children’s interests. Reading plays a key role each day, with children enjoying story times, exploring books and beginning their reading journey through our engaging phonics programme, helping them to develop a love of stories.
Above all, each child is known, cared for and supported to grow emotionally, socially and academically as they take these important early steps on their learning journey.
Year 1 - Year 2:
Active Learning, Meaningful Connections
Active Learning, Meaningful Connections
In Years 1 and 2, we follow the English National Curriculum in a way that keeps learning active, engaging and meaningful. Through carefully planned thematic learning, subjects are thoughtfully linked so that children can make connections, deepen understanding and see the relevance of what they are learning.
Building on the play-based foundations of the Early Years, children are supported to grow in confidence and independence, ready to take on more responsibility while still learning through exploration, discussion and hands-on experiences.
Our classrooms are warm and inclusive spaces where creativity, collaboration and curiosity are celebrated. Children also begin to develop important life skills, taking on leadership roles such as student council members and contributing to school projects and charity initiatives.
Every day offers opportunities to think, discover and grow as we guide children gently towards the next stage of their learning journey.
Building on the play-based foundations of the Early Years, children are supported to grow in confidence and independence, ready to take on more responsibility while still learning through exploration, discussion and hands-on experiences.
Our classrooms are warm and inclusive spaces where creativity, collaboration and curiosity are celebrated. Children also begin to develop important life skills, taking on leadership roles such as student council members and contributing to school projects and charity initiatives.
Every day offers opportunities to think, discover and grow as we guide children gently towards the next stage of their learning journey.
Year 3 - Year 4:
Deeper Exploration & Growing Independence
Deeper Exploration & Growing Independence
In Years 3 and 4, children build on the strong foundations of Years 1 and 2. It is a time when they begin to explore ideas in greater depth, developing greater thinking skills, curiosity and a stronger sense of who they are as learners.
We use the English National Curriculum to guide our teaching, ensuring a broad and balanced approach with a strong focus on core subjects such as English, Maths and Science. Alongside this, children are encouraged to discover their individual strengths and interests through specialist lessons in subjects such as sport, music, computing, art and languages.
Classrooms are purposeful and engaging, with learning designed to inspire, challenge and support every child. With growing self-awareness, children begin to take more active roles in the wider school community, contributing through leadership opportunities, performances, charity projects and collaborative learning experiences.
We use the English National Curriculum to guide our teaching, ensuring a broad and balanced approach with a strong focus on core subjects such as English, Maths and Science. Alongside this, children are encouraged to discover their individual strengths and interests through specialist lessons in subjects such as sport, music, computing, art and languages.
Classrooms are purposeful and engaging, with learning designed to inspire, challenge and support every child. With growing self-awareness, children begin to take more active roles in the wider school community, contributing through leadership opportunities, performances, charity projects and collaborative learning experiences.
Year 5 - Year 6:
Leading the Way in Lower School
Leading the Way in Lower School
In Years 5 and 6, our oldest students in the Lower School prepare confidently for the next stage of their education in the Upper School. This is an important time for deepening knowledge, refining skills and developing the independence needed to succeed both academically and personally.
We continue to follow the English National Curriculum, offering a challenging and enriching programme that inspires achievement across all subjects. Our students are encouraged to lead with courage and integrity, showing humility and empathy in their actions while demonstrating generosity towards others.
Through key leadership roles such as Head Students and Prefects, alongside involvement in school events, projects and community initiatives, they develop important skills in teamwork, communication and perseverance.
At this stage, children are supported to set ambitious goals and strive for excellence, fully equipped to transition smoothly and confidently into the Upper School and beyond. We are proud to provide an environment where every child is empowered to lead and achieve their very best.
We continue to follow the English National Curriculum, offering a challenging and enriching programme that inspires achievement across all subjects. Our students are encouraged to lead with courage and integrity, showing humility and empathy in their actions while demonstrating generosity towards others.
Through key leadership roles such as Head Students and Prefects, alongside involvement in school events, projects and community initiatives, they develop important skills in teamwork, communication and perseverance.
At this stage, children are supported to set ambitious goals and strive for excellence, fully equipped to transition smoothly and confidently into the Upper School and beyond. We are proud to provide an environment where every child is empowered to lead and achieve their very best.
