Middle School As the pupils grow older, the scale of the Dulwich campus gives them the space, both literally and metaphorically, to grow up – room to kick a ball around on the Tank Fields, chat to friends in a Cloister or watch cricket from the Clump. Environments matter and the majestic settings of the Barry Buildings and The Laboratory are a great inspiration in all weathers!
The larger campus also allows the pupils to find niches within which to develop friendships and hone skills. For many pupils, their time in the Music School, Library, Theatre, PE Centre and Archive are as formative as their principal lessons, and with a large school there is an easy overlap between these many worlds. Pupils are also helped to become more independent and mature through their working relationships with staff.
contraception, conflict and breakup, reporting abuse, sexting, pornography, internet safety, emotional and physical health, positive masculinity, drugs and alcohol awareness. This occurs every year and each time builds on prior learning in an age-appropriate fashion, routed in guidance from the Department for Education. Pupils progress through the school with lessons about careers and personal finance, mental health awareness, healthy living, marriage, parenting, loss and bereavement, and stress management. They are taught the skills to be critical thinkers and to make the right decision when in matters, or help others do so. In the Lent term of Year 11, students take part in the Year 11 Mental Health Awareness Day. Here they each engage in workshops from Beyond Equality, discussing mental health in young men, as well as enjoying a series of activities designed to promote good mental wellbeing such as mindfulness, creative and artistic classes, and sports psychology.
We know that adolescence is a difficult time for many young people who are simultaneously coping with hormone, body and brain changes whilst establishing a personal identity, engaging in a multitude of co-curricular activities and preparing for their first public examinations. Our Wellbeing Programme for the Middle School is designed specifically to meet the needs of the pupils at this time of their lives. As they enter the Middle School, pupils start by learning about what it means to be a digital citizen and make healthy, informed choices about their on-line activity. This includes the impact of social media, misinformation and polarisation. Throughout the Middle School they will be educated about healthy relationships. This includes topics such as consent and communication, sexual health and
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