Dolphin school for creatives? Post Reply

[_commonsmum_]

We’ve got quite a creative and social child, who needs to be active (dance, gymnastics, loves games and being outdoors). How does a school like Dolphin provide for those types of children or is it mostly for the academic types? We’ve seen the school and LOVED the relationship focus and found all the kids to be so bright and happy. Deeply impressed with so much. However we worry about how the creative sides are nurtured throughout the school day (rather than just during clubs and after school lessons). Would love your input if you’ve been a dolphin parent or are currently there.

[nhorne]

Hello

My son is currently in Y3 at Dolphin and has been since Reception. I couldn’t recommend the school more highly.
I think that the school is very strong in being able to recognise and nurture all sorts of talents and interests. I have always been impressed with the way the school celebrates its pupils achievements whether that be academic, creative or in sport. As a relatively small school each child is known very well not just by their class teacher, but teaching staff across the whole school, including the senior team.
I think this works wonders in being able to develop each child, bringing the best out of them.
I have always found the school to be very creative, having watched various school productions where the whole school is involved and as well as when attending the weekly assembly, at which parents are invited to attend.
Best wishes with your decision

[millivanilli]

I have two children at Dolphin school and they are both incredibly happy there. They are also both very different characters. My daughter is very sociable and creative and loves to throw herself into her learning, which she really loves at Dolphin! I think I would say that it is a wonderfully creative school as well as being strongly academic. The teachers are brilliant, experienced, creative and fun and there’s lots of provision within the curriculum for creative learning. There are assemblies each week which are sometimes led by a class (doing a small play) or small group of children. Parents are always welcome to these - a particular highlight of my week! There are lots of individual music lessons taking place each day, and String and Woodwind Ensemble groups. There is also a wonderful Upper School choir and various concerts during the school year. As well as weekly curriculum Dance and Gym classes, there are clubs like Capoeira dance club. My daughter has a blast in Capoeira and the club is packed full of lots of girls and boys! Sports is brilliant with great teachers and lots of matches against local schools. The Summer Production involves the whole school in a big play, and is a highlight for everyone. We have recently put on The Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, Wind in the Willows, and Into The Woods. The Art provision is wonderful too with a lovely art studio classroom and opportunities to enter things like the Royal College of Art schools competition. There are clubs like Drawing and Art&Clay club which take place during the school day. There are also two lovely libraries with a break time Library Club. Also things like Chess Club, Coding Club, & LAMDA drama. Lots going on! It has a brilliant parent community at the heart of the school too.

Another highlight for both my children is the termly DT (Design & Technology) day where the children are put in mixed aged teams and have an action packed day full of creativity, design and technology. They always come home buzzing from that!

Another thing we really love about Dolphin School is that they have their break times up on the Common where they can race around and enjoy experiencing all the different seasons and weathers outdoors. They have a bag of equipment that they take up with them with lots of fun things to play with like balls, stilts, bats, skipping ropes etc.

Safe to say we adore Dolphin School! It is warm, creative and buzzing! All the best with your decision.

[Beachboys]

I have two ex-Dolphin kids now at secondary school and one still there. I think Dolphin does a great job weaving creativity into the school day as the previous poster has said, with lessons as well as special events such as assemblies, plays, theme days and external competitions.  

Having had a very academic, rigid school experience myself, I'm also amazed and grateful at how the school has nurtured creativity and a love for the arts in all my kids. All the children are given the opportunity to act, play music, sing, dance and paint, and receive encouragement and support from teachers and their peers for their efforts. This positivity encourages them to try their best rather than give up thinking they're not good enough. I often find myself thinking, gosh I wish I'd had the chance to do that when I was in school!

As a result, my older two love drama and have continued it into secondary school, while my youngest has turned out to be quite musical (surprisingly, as husband and I are both tone deaf) and plays two instruments. I definitely credit the school, and the way it balances academic achievement and the fostering of creativity, for this.    

[Brokennecklace]

I agree - most schools say they nurture the children's creativity, etc. and parents will be shown the art studio and the work of some of the children, but not all schools place such a strong focus on it as Dolphin (They do also have a fantastic art studio!) Speaking as a former parent.

[WillowRowan]

My children love Dolphin and all of them are very different. Dolphin has a wonderful focus on each child’s individual talents and places a huge importance on creativity celebrating musical talent and drama (the end of year whole school production is a joy and the children have such an input the whole school community can see all of their characters in it). The children have lots of opportunities through the year to develop and demonstrate these through leading assemblies, singing in the choir, art competitions, music performances. This goes alongside great teamwork through sport and house competitions. And yes they achieve academically, but it is to each child’s potential and only because they are all so valued for their own individuality that they thrive.
There is also great Senior team leadership with music and drama as backgrounds and passions for the Head and Senior Deputy Head who are an inspiration. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

[SarahSeabrook]

Hi there - we have had our 3 girls at dolphin for 3 years now and have been blown away by how they are able to focus in on each of their unique talents. My one daughter in particular lives for drama and creative writing and the school has championed her (even more than us!) with this. The drama department is incredible - drawing our each child’s developing strengths and giving them opportunity to take them to the next level and the English teaching is fun and colourful and inspiring.
As a result my daughter’s confidence has soared to the extent that she has applied for drama scholarships for her secondary school. Without a doubt, Dolphin nurtures whatever gifts the children have and empowers them to courageously step into whatever doors they are interested in.
Hope that’s helpful!

[justincurtis221]

Hello

My son is currently in Y3 at Dolphin and has been since Reception. I couldn’t recommend the school more highly.
I think that the school is very strong in being able to recognise and nurture all sorts of talents and interests. I have always been impressed with the way the school celebrates its pupils achievements whether that be academic, creative or in sport. As a relatively small school each child is known very well not just by their class teacher, but teaching staff across the whole school, including the senior team.
I think this works wonders in being able to develop each child, bringing the best out of them.
I have always found the school to be very creative, having watched various school productions where the whole school is involved and as well as when attending the weekly assembly, at which parents are invited to attend.
Best wishes with your decision
My child went there and I do not recommend this school. There are a lot of minuses that I could discuss for a very long time. I just don't want to waste my time on it. My child didn't learn anything and we even had to find a plagiarism checker with percentages, we use https://paperell.net/free-plagiarism-checker includes our family. But in the end this school is the worst it could be. Now we have transferred to a regular school and we are happy with everything.

I don't recommend it to anyone.