BREADCRUMB

Community Action

Community Action has been part of Dean Close life for more than 20 years. 

The Community Action programme at Dean Close School aspires at nurturing a spirit of giving in pupils and make them aware of, and encourage them to value, differences and diversity within society.

The programme focuses on projects within the local community and the wider world. As well as all the Year groups taking part in turn, in Community Action activities, during each academic year, the majority of teachers and other members of staff are also involved, either supervising or organising events and activities, and also liaising with external organisations.

Since 2020, local community action projects have included visiting nursing home residents (baking and delivering cakes, serving tea, giving musical performances), assisting in charity shops and special schools where pupils have been volunteering. Our pupils also have the opportunity to visit our own Prep and Pre-Prep Schools, where they give musical performances to year groups, and assist teachers during lessons (such as Art).  Pupils have helped out in the Drama Department's wardrobe, helped in the Art Department and assisted in the Library. Many pupils have also been involved in looking after and improving the School grounds, including litter picking, path clearing and helping build a fire pit.

We have two Field Days annually, when the day is dedicated to our pupils supporting our School and wider community. On Field Days, the entire timetable is suspended so that pupils can engage in activities beyond their School curriculum.

Field Days are also an opportunity to invite pupils from local primary schools to Dean Close for an afternoon of activities, which can include art and sports, hosted by DCS pupils. 

Charities

All pupils are encouraged to get involved in fundraising events for local, national and international charities. Fundraising events and food collections (such as bake sales, black tie dinners, music and sports events, mufti days, Christmas Hamper Appeal, etc.) are organised regularly throughout the year in support of a number of charitable causes, including raising money specifically for our link school in Uganda (see our Uganda Link page). 

Since 2020, we have supported the following organisations: