By Neil Seaton, Principal, Dame Allan's Schools
I’ve known about Dame Allan’s Schools for years through its reputation as a place which takes exceptional care of its pupils.
For more than 300 years, the Schools have provided an excellent education, dedicated pastoral care and a vast range of outstanding opportunities. I can see already how every child is nurtured and that it is an environment where they can grow, excel in their studies and develop their passions.
I have joined the Schools at an exciting time in its history as it welcomes its first fully co-educational cohort. It has been wonderful to see our pupils so happy to be back at school, enjoying their lessons in small class sizes with dedicated support from their form tutors and Heads of Year.
The Schools adhere to an ‘Attributes of Success’ model, which sets out expectations for each pupil, including the need to have a growth mindset, to set high expectations, and to be an inquisitive and reflective learner. We saw the model pay dividends this summer when the Schools celebrated one of its strongest sets of GCSE results with more than a quarter (26.4%) of all grades awarded at the highest possible level-grade 9- and almost two-thirds (64.8%) at grades 7-9, equivalent to A* and A under the former grading system.
Additionally, at A Level, the Schools celebrated a further robust set of results with 90% of all grades at A* to C with pupils heading to leading universities across the UK and abroad, or opting for degree apprenticeships. It was clear, meeting families on results days, just how hard working our pupils had been. It was a pleasure to see so many of them secure their first-choice universities with others looking forward to studying with us in the Sixth Form.
With a new school year underway, pupils have also been enjoying trying a diverse range of co-curricular clubs. There are more than 200 activities on offer at Dame Allan’s including rugby, robotics, dance, fencing, ukulele, and rowing. Our thriving co-curricular programme encourages pupils to push their limits and build confidence by trying something new, as well as offering a great way for them to make friends.
The clubs are where character is built; where they discover strengths they didn’t know they had and interests that often stay with them for life. They develop invaluable communication, problem solving and leadership skills. During times of exam pressure, they can also be a fantastic way to balance academic studies.
As well as our co-curricular offering, I believe the Schools’ excellent pastoral care plays a key part in ensuring our pupils remain happy and supported, no matter what challenges they face in life. Dame Allan’s was one of the first independent schools in Newcastle to employ a dedicated counsellor more than 20 years ago and to bring the benefits of animal-assisted therapy into a school setting. We now have experienced pastoral leaders, a school nurse, counsellors, a psychotherapist and an art psychotherapist.
Dedicated wellbeing areas, in both the Junior and Senior Schools, ensure pupils’ emotional wellbeing is just as prioritised as their academic success. A strong peer mentoring and mental health first aid training programme means pupils can always find a listening ear and I’m particularly impressed with Whisper, a service that allows pupils to report any worries or concerns anonymously.
At our Junior School, pupils receive a timetabled PSHE lesson each week, complemented by a dedicated wellbeing assembly every Friday. The children have daily access to Zumos, an online wellbeing platform designed to build resilience, selfconfidence and happiness. Termly ‘power’ quizzes enable teachers to monitor levels of resilience and self-esteem and to identify early signs of anxiety or low mood, ensuring support can be offered proactively. As well as Poppy, the School’s Border Terrier, children can rely on another firm favourite, the Worry Monster – a furry friend who ‘eats’ worries and helps pupils articulate their anxieties.
Our pastoral support is there for the entire school journey. One of the wonderful qualities about Dame Allan’s is that the young people it supports become so confident without appearing arrogant. You can see these qualities often in its alumni – considerate, engaging people who return to school happily to share their knowledge, their contacts and inspire the next generation. Dame Allan’s has a connectedness – with its alumni, and with the wider Newcastle community – which creates opportunities for our children and supports their futures. The connections they make with each other also last their entire lives.
It is a combination of academic excellence, cocurricular participation and outstanding pastoral care that ensures children leave us, having grown into confident, sociable and happy young people. From what I have experienced so far, Dame Allan’s is a place where every child is cherished, accepted and has the opportunity to grow and thrive, no matter what their background.
www.dameallans.co.uk