What we offer

We believe what makes a great school is breadth and depth of learning and experience.  We want our students to leave us with: 

• in-depth knowledge and how to apply it 
• skills to get them successfully through life 
• having had a happy time at Dallam. 

Take a look at what we offer to fulfil this desire through curriculum and extra-curricular learning, pastoral care, SEND, Sixth Form, careers guidance, boarding, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and residential trips.

Curriculum and extra-curricular learning

Education empowers students with the knowledge, skills and values they need to build a better future for themselves, their families and their community. At our school, every student develops the confidence and courage to be themselves and has access to opportunities that unlock future success. The inclusive and innovative ethos of Dallam School creates an inspiring environment in which every student can shine in their own unique way.

The priorities of a curriculum change over time and here at Dallam we consider scientific, humanities, language, art and technological, social and religious developments in our society to shape the curriculum we teach in order to help give our students the best chance to thrive professionally and personally in their life. 

But school is not just about academic learning.   Our school, Sixth Form and boarding house are places where students can learn from many extra-curricular activities.  We encourage students to get involved in things that interest them, give them new skills or develop their natural abilities, like: 

• music and singing 
• drama, including our much-loved end of year shows like The 39 Steps, Les Mis and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 
• a wide variety of sports: rugby, football (girls and boys), cricket, athletics, gymnastics and many more 
• charity and volunteering work 
• student leadership committees. 

Download the current list of extra-curricular clubs on this page. 

Home learning

At Dallam, we feel it is important to support our students as much as we can in making progress towards excellent academic success and to prepare them for being global citizens. Home learning at Dallam has a focus on Knowledge Goals in Years 7-9. Our Knowledge Goal booklets bring together the most important knowledge that is needed for success in each subject. Over time, students will build up a core bank of facts, quotes and vocabulary that will help them excel in their exams and understand the world around them. 

Literacy

At Dallam, we believe that literacy is the key to unlocking learning in every subject across the curriculum.  Strong literacy skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) are fundamental, not only in developing students’ academic ability, but also in building their independence, empathy and creativity.

We strive for our students to become skilled readers, expressive writers, confident speakers and perceptive listeners as this will widen the opportunities available to them in the future.  We aim to establish and nurture a lifelong love of reading among students; while expanding their vocabulary and equipping them with the tools they need to communicate effectively throughout their teenage years and beyond.

Pastoral care

As well as our dedicated pastoral team at Dallam School who support our students throughout their time with us, our pastoral care is also provided by many other staff and channels that students can access for their emotional, personal development and wellbeing needs. 

SEND

Our experienced and enthusiastic SEND team take an individual-based approach to supporting our SEND students, working closely with parents/carers and professional agencies to ensure the best provision. 

Sixth Form

Dallam School benefits from having its own sixth form so our school students can continue their studies in an environment they are familiar with, and we also warmly welcome students from many other schools to join us for post-16 study.      Dallam Sixth Form offers A Level and BTEC courses.  Alongside their qualifications, we support our students to learn and develop skills that will help them after sixth form onto higher education (HE) or the world of work and apprenticeships. 

Careers guidance

Through our whole-school and Sixth Form careers guidance approach we aim to: 

• increase our students’ awareness of themselves and others  
• introduce and develop an awareness of the world of work leading to economic wellbeing  
• explore strategies in making choices and decisions 
• raise awareness of opportunities in employment, training and further/higher education  

If you would like more information about our careers provision, please contact Mr Blyth, Careers Coordinator – r.blyth@dallamschool.co.uk, 015395 65126.

Boarding 

In addition to our full boarding, we also offer weekly boarding – ideal for families in the England and Scotland. 

Boarding in whichever way you choose helps students develop their independence, grow friendships and helps families ease the burden of fitting everything into our busy modern lives. 

Duke of Edinburgh Award

We encourage and support our students to complete the Duke of Edinburgh Award.  Dallam School has been a proud provider for the scheme for over 30 years.  Participants of the award scheme gain:  

• confidence 
• independence 
• problem-solving skills 
• a sense of achievement  
• fitness and health improvement. 

These are skills that we foster in all our students.    Being located so close to the Lake District National Park and the Morecambe Bay coastline means there are plenty of interesting options for the DofE physical, skills and volunteering activities right on our doorstep.   

Residential trips

Our students have the opportunity to enjoy international educational residential trips to countries such as Austria, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Poland and Spain.