Dean Close ‘Round the Clock’ is a fun 24-hour induction event for Year 7 children planning on joining Dean Close at 13+. Now in its fifth year, it has become a key event on prep school calendars.

Boarders arrive in time for supper, followed by a fun evening of activities in the boarding houses. This year, the fun apparently continued after lights out, with lots of whispering and telling of ghost stories, but it was hoped that the children would have got a few winks of sleep!

The following morning when everyone has arrived, the full compliment don their ‘house’ t-shirts ready for a day of activities of their choice, be it sporting, creative or intellectual, designed to stretch, challenge and stimulate them in their areas of particular interest. Activities which always prove very popular are the Climbing Wall, Judo and the Biology and Chemistry workshops, ‘Snakes, Spiders and Snails’ and ‘Slime balls and Flames’ respectively – the titles of which are self explanatory!

A hearty lunch is followed by team activities and games with the children back in their House groups. This year the culmination was a frantic basketball tournament, with Mead team winning out overall against Dale after a both teams had faced down tough opposition through the girls’ and boys’ competitions. House support was very strong, with Houseparents and Sixth form cheering on their teams.

The rain featured periodically through the day, but activities carried on regardless, with the children regularly fortified with hot chocolate; only the now traditional inter-House Tug of War competition had to be called off for safety reasons.

The day finishes with a very welcome BBQ, before tired but happy children go home clutching their goody bags including some great mementos of their first taste of Dean Close life!

 For more photos click here