Hurst, Berkshire ~ Schools & Colleges
A coeducational, independent, Hurst day school and nursery for children between the ages of 3 and 13
About us:
Dolphin School is an independent, coeducational school for children between the ages of three and thirteen, situated in a rural setting in Hurst, Berkshire, not far from Reading.
Dolphin offers children the freedom to learn through the guiding principles of discovery, challenge and ambition. Its Hurst unique programme of day and residential field trips brings classroom studies to life and encourages self-confidence and enthusiasm.
The Hurst school aims to develop self-motivated children with enquiring minds and a love of learning. Subject specialists teach classes from the age of seven and children benefit from a cross-curricular approach and small class sizes. The school has high academic standards, and children move on to local grammar schools as well as independent senior schools such as Wellington College, Abingdon School, The Abbey, Eton and Bradfield College.
A unique programme of walking trips, both day and residential, is core to Dolphin’s approach to learning, and is designed to take education beyond the Hurst classroom and bring it to life. From year 1 there are at least three trips a term, all of which are ‘threaded’ into every subject.
The Head is Mrs Veronica Gibbs, BSc PGCE, who has a degree in pure maths with history and philosophy of science from University College, Cardiff, and has been at the school since 1990. The founder and owner, Dr. Nancy Follett, still lives next door in the Tudor Manor where the school was established in 1970 as a Montessori nursery.
The usual range of subjects is taught at Dolphin, and maths, drama and music are particularly strong, as is sport. Chess is taught as a discrete subject in year 4, and other ‘extra’ subjects include architecture, astronomy, traditional games and construction games. Touch typing is learnt from year 3, and twenty Hurst after school-clubs supplement the timetabled sport along with yoga, gymnastics and dance.
Contact Details:
Dolphin School
Waltham Road
Hurst
Berkshire
RG10 0FR
Telephone: 0118 934 1277
