Dorset House is a happy, friendly, caring school for boys and girls aged between 2 ½ to 13. Our family-centred ethos is based on Christian principles. Our school is a structured but loving environment with a fine reputation for giving each individual the opportunity to experience all areas of the broad curriculum.

The school has a rigorous approach to academic achievement whilst maintaining its reputation for sporting, musical and creative endeavour. We also believe in giving the pupils a `real’ childhood which ensures that children can be children within the haven of learning and adventure that is Dorset House.

Pupils are mostly local boys and girls. Dorset House is predominantly a day school although many children choose to board (weekly and flexi) in Years 4 through to 8.

Dorset House aims to inspire pupils with a desire to learn. This is achieved through our stimulating, varied and balanced curriculum and gives our children the confidence to exceed their expectations and fulfil their potential.

We believe that the challenges offered by Dorset House enable our children to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead, will create an individual awareness of the future and will prepare them for the next stage of their education.

The key aims of Dorset House are to:

• Inspire children through a challenging approach to academic learning
• Foster a `can do’ ethos across the school community
• Give opportunities for every child to find their niche and experience success and develop self-confidence
• Ensure that every child’s social and academic progress is supported
• Enable pupils to value their own and other cultures and to grow emotionally and spiritually
• Maintain our valued partnership between home and school
• Ensure a smooth transition to senior school
• Create opportunities for public benefit within the local and wider community

We will achieve these aims by:

• Providing a broad and balanced curriculum delivered by our enthusiastic and well qualified staff
• Encouraging children to take responsibility for their learning and the community
• Providing rich and varied extra-curricular activities
• Delivering an academic and pastoral monitoring system that supports every pupil and embraces the `Every Child Matters’ framework
• Including spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues within lessons and throughout the school community
• Maintaining a close relationship with parents through regular communication
• Advising the parents on the choice of senior schools for their children; arranging visits; helping pupils prepare for the next stage
• Reviewing how Dorset House can include the local community in all it does