Recognising Potential, Nurturing Ability

St. Dominic’s Grammar School is a vibrant, happy community where children are given opportunities to thrive both academically and socially. Small class sizes facilitate dedicated learning and individualised teaching has resulted in our students consistently, achieving some of the best GCSE results in the region.

Specific learning goals are set and performance is monitored regularly, as we continue to develop our children. Benchmarking and Cognitive Ability Tests allow us to track achievement and guide further tuition where needed. We encourage all Senior students to become independent learners and to manage their own work through our structured mentoring scheme.

As pupils enter the Senior department, they are taught by dedicated specialist subject teachers, with individual learning goals set and performance monitored.

Admissions Policy

The main entry into the Senior School is Year 7. However, admission is available at all entry points provided places are available. Parents and their children are encouraged to arrange a tour of our School.

For entry in Year 7, both internal and external pupils are required to undertake our 11+ entrance assessment. The testing will consist of English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning. Candidates must demonstrate a sufficient proficiency in the majority of tests, thus allowing access to the curriculum we offer, before a place can be offered. In addition to testing, we look for enthusiasm and commitment in all those who wish to join St. Dominic’s Grammar School.

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Academic scholarships may be awarded based on high performance in the entrance exams. Sport and Performing Arts Scholarships are also available for applicants that specialise in these areas. Auditions are held after the Year 7 entry testing date.

For entry into all other year groups, appropriate testing is arrange along with a day visit and interview. Scholarships are also available for pupils gifted or talented in Academics, Sports, Performing Arts or Art.

The admission process is as follows;

  • Registration Form and Fee – To register your child to sit our entry testing and spend the day with us, a £50.00 administration charge is payable.
  • Day visit and Entry Testing – You will be invited to meet with the Headmaster to discuss your child’s visit with us.
  • Scholarship Audition – for Performing Arts or Art, if applicable. (Academic and Sport scholarships are based on the application submitted)
  • References – The Admissions Department will contact your child’s previous school for a reference.
  • Offer and Acceptance of a place – Paperwork will consist of completing an acceptance form and a £400.00 joining fee is applicable.
  • Uniform fitting – our uniform shop is based on site and an appointment can be made for your child.
  • Start date – first day arrangements will be sent beforehand via email.

Curriculum

Lifelong learning and creativity

The commitment to lifelong learning and creativity continues into our Senior department. Once again, our small class sizes and dedicated teaching staff mean that pupils have individualised learning that ensures they reach their full potential. Whether that is through learning support for pupils with recognised difficulties such as dyslexia or encouraging our most able to shine through our TOPS programme – St. Dominic’s Senior School is all about the experience of the whole child. In Years 7 to 9, pupils study a broad and balanced curriculum: English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, History, R.E., French, Spanish, Art, D.T., P.E., Music, Drama and ICT.
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In Years 6 and 7 the pupils take part in a two year cycle of skills days, where they are taken off timetable and spend a day experiencing a particular skill such as problem solving. Alongside this runs a revision and study skills programme which begins in Year 6 and is developed right the way through to Year 13 to help pupils manage the demands of both internal and external examinations.

In Year 10 pupils begin their journey towards GCSE qualifications and the school is rightly proud of its results at this level. The core curriculum comprises: English Language, English Literature, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Dual Award Science and a MFL (French or Spanish). Our pupils are also encouraged to opt for a Humanities subject (Geography, History or RE) as part of their core curriculum. In addition to the core curriculum, we offer our pupils the opportunity to study the following subjects at GCSE level: PE, Computing, Food Preparation & Nutrition & Drama.

Facilities

Continued investment has led to a series of developments and improvements at St. Dominic’s Senior School over recent years, including new security systems, high tech laboratories and a science prep room, installing the latest interactive white boards and an ICT suite with ‘intellidesk’ technology.
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The school has a large, purpose built sports hall, complemented by newly refurbished and extended tennis and netball courts, a games field and athletics track.

All classrooms are modern and well equipped with at least one computer in each room. Our new Performing Arts Centre provides a dedicated recording studio, music suite, practice room and drama studio complete with sprung floor for dance and all lighting and sound for the theatre for the whole school. We also have the latest state of the art plasma information screens installed in the foyers.

The facilities and activities available at St Dominic’s Senior School are constantly reviewed and parents and pupils are regularly informed of the latest developments by our monthly newsletter.

Pastoral Care

Where each and every child matters

Here at St. Dominic’s Grammar School, our strong sense of community is unrivaled.
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We pride ourselves as we support, nurture and guide our pupils through their School life. Our standards in pastoral care are exceptionally high and it is not only teachers and support staff who care for our children, but older pupils who take them under their wing and help mentor them. Taking responsibility for fellow pupils is a key part of the culture of our School. With this in mind, our peer mentoring scheme and vertical tutoring system encourage children to help and support each other as they interact with children from different year groups.

The students also contribute to the life of the School through our School Council consisting of four committees: anti-bullying, food, learning and charity.

With a smooth transition and induction process, we aim to settle students before their first day of School. Our ‘buddy system’ means that no child ever feels alone, and close relationships are developed between parents and their child’s Form Tutor, allowing any queries to be directed through a central point of contact. In addition to parent’s evening, we also operate an open door policy so parents are welcome to discuss their child’s progress where they feel necessary.

Formerly a convent, now non-denominational but with a Christian ethos; we welcome those of all faiths and none. We place huge emphasis on moral fibre and developing an understanding of the wider world. This is encouraged through lessons such as Personal, Social & Health Education and Citizenship.

We believe in positive encouragement; a happy child learns well. Designated staff and strict protocols are in place to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our children is of the utmost priority. The Safeguarding policy can also be found on the School website.

S.T.E.M.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are subjects taught at all ages throughout the School. A huge emphasis is placed on STEM subjects and both girls and boys are encouraged to develop their understanding of STEM through specialist teachers, who create inspirational and responsive learning environments.
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STEM integrates the four subjects into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications. Our pupils actively engage in STEM focused days and workshops as part of their learning. Pupils have the opportunity to gain hands on experience and partake in activities including: building go-karts, visiting high-tech IT establishments, entering STEM inter-school competitions and clubs which include the internationally recognized CREST awards. Other clubs enable learning in coding and robotics, stop-motion animation, green screen and much more. There is also an annual trip to view a live operation for those interested in pursuing a career in medicine.

STEM education creates critical thinkers thus enabling the next generation of innovators.

Sport

The Physical Education department using the school mission statement ‘to encourage growth in mind, body and spirit’ will aim to ensure that each student leaves St. Dominic’s Senior School, a better and healthier person.

We encourage independent learning and developing talents in order that all of our pupils reach their full potential. We believe that it is important to maintain a combination of academic, artistic and sporting activity at school and we provide children with a wide range of physical exercise to balance the challenges of their daily academic work.

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The PE department will encourage growth in body by providing opportunities for the student to be healthy and aim to lead a healthy and active lifestyle, which they will take with them when they leave. The PE department will achieve growth in spirit by encouraging awareness of themselves and others and learn to value them both.

Teachers work together with students to help them understand the importance of achieving this balance and to help develop skills in teamwork, personal achievement and leadership.
Pupils enthusiastically participate in a wide and varied choice of sporting activities.

Our sporting record grows year on year, culminating recently with pupils representing both county and country in their chosen sport, with teams being crowned county champions in various sports.

Our sport facilities include the fully equipped purpose built Sir Jack Hayward Sports Hall, our recently refurbished and extended netball and tennis courts, extensive playing fields and an athletics track.

Within our curriculum, each student participates in two double lessons of P.E. each week as well as being encouraged to take part in before school clubs, lunchtime sessions and extended day activities.

Activities currently include:

  • Football
  • Netball
  • Cricket
  • Swimming
  • Hockey
  • Badminton
  • Gymnastics
  • Basketball

All students have the option to take GCSE and ‘A’ Level in Physical Education.