SCHOOL PROFILE
THE GEM ON THE HILL Q&A with Mrs Jo Parker, Head of DUCKS, the co-educational Infants’ school and Kindergarten which sits in its own grounds within Dulwich College surrounded by green space and affectionately known as ‘the gem on the hill’
How are children engaged to learn more about sustainability and the environment? Forest School is the perfect backdrop for children to engage in the environment and develop an understanding of its importance through immersion and our overarching curriculum themes, such as Our Planet, Blue Planet, Invention and Innovation. We also mark special weeks and days such as Wildlife Day, Earth Day and Eco Week where we encourage leaving the car behind and have a bicyclers’ breakfast. In a recent project with a collaborative focus, children built a model sustainable DUCKS town with infrastructure and biodiversity, led by a local innovative architect. How is inclusivity encouraged? At DUCKS, we value the importance of being ‘Determined’, ‘Unique’, ‘Confident’, ‘Kind’ and ‘Selfless’. Our ‘Unique’ value represents a strong sense of belonging which is built through our community who help lead workshops and assemblies celebrating occasions such as Diwali, Rosh Hashanah, Lunar New Year and Ramadan. An example of our commitment to inclusivity is reflected in how we share these celebrations as part of our ‘Unique’ value.
How would you describe DUCKS at Dulwich College? DUCKS offers children from six months to seven-years-old an environment of early excellence; we have an abundance of outdoor space to explore, and excellent early education learning spaces filled with natural light. Furthermore, we have access to all the facilities and resources of Dulwich College. At DUCKS we believe early years education needs to encourage our youngest learners to interact and build knowledge by creating an environment that offers support, curiosity, communication and cooperation. We encourage negotiation and problem- solving by providing open-ended tasks and materials that spark creativity and innovative thinking, focusing on the experience and process rather than just the outcome. We want our children to learn, to know that thinking is fun, and to be good at it. Our practitioners scaffold learning,
providing ways for the children to predict, explain and collaborate. Weekly sessions in our inspiring Forest School have also brought on the development of resilient problem-solvers who are not afraid to make mistakes and who display an ability to bounce back from minor difficulties. A consideration of the benefits versus the risks enables children to safely experience adventure and a sense of challenge. How are parents involved at DUCKS? Our partnership with parents is essential. Children have different ideas, needs, values and perspectives and we encourage this diversity, ensuring every child has access to and participates in meaningful experiences with positive outcomes. Parents join in ‘Stay & Learn’ sessions in Forest School and the everyday learning environment. Families partake in assemblies and cooking experiences and share celebrations and festivals with the community. Every year we celebrate Parent & Carer Week.
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