Davies Laing and Dick
Principal:
David Lowe
100 Marylebone Lane
London
W1U 2QB
Tel:
(020) 7935 8411
Fax:
(0)20 7935 0755
E-mail:
Web:
Who are we?
Davies Laing and Dick (DLD), founded in 1931, is a co-educational London day school accepting students from the ages of 15 to 19. There are over 330 students in the Sixth Form studying A levels from a choice of 40 subjects. Two thirds are doing A Levels in the normal way over a two-year period. Another large group joins DLD at the start of Upper Sixth. There are no subject restrictions at A Level. GCSE intensive courses are taught over a one year period. The average class size is 6.
Where are we?
DLD sits in the heart of cosmopolitan Marylebone, within a 5 minute walk from either Bond Street or Baker Street tube stations. DLD is housed in two linked buildings, both newly refurbished and very well equipped. There are three laboratories, two IT classrooms, a library for private study with an IT annexe, a GCSE study area, an eighty-seat theatre which is also used to screen films. There is a recording studio and a film edit suite. All classrooms are equipped with interactive white boards. Students are able to access work done in class, teachers' notes and homework assignments remotely via DLD On-Line, our own virtual learning environment.
Why are we different?
DLD differs from conventional schools in a number of important respects. Students do not wear uniform and are on first name terms with their tutors. We believe that students are never so likely to really benefit from the efforts of their tutors as when they feel that they are part of a community, and that the best way to achieve this is to create an atmosphere of mutual respect; in other words, our policy is to treat students as young adults. We expect our students to do well; we never patronise them with low expectations. Often the only difference between an underachieving student, and one who is really fulfilling his or her potential, is confidence.
Class Sizes
On average there are only 6 students in each class, which means that tutors are able to give students much more individual attention than they will have experienced at their previous schools. Communication between tutors and students is more relaxed than in a formal school setting, ensuring that students quickly develop the confidence to ask questions and volunteer opinions. Learning The teaching staff are highly qualified and chosen not just for their expertise but also for their ability to relate positively to young people. The college ethos is to make learning interesting, active and rigorous. While clear guidelines are very important to ensure pupils establish a good working routine, the college believes strongly that pupils respond best when there is a culture of encouragement. Effort, progress, achievement and courtesy are regularly acknowledged and formally rewarded.
Pastoral Care
"The level of pastoral support received by students from their Personal Tutors is exceptionally high." (ISCO)
Each student is allocated a Personal Tutor at the beginning of his or her time with us. PTs play a major part in helping students to settle into the college, to succeed at DLD and to prepare for life after GCSE / A Level examinations. There are compulsory PT meetings for all students once a week and these are supplemented with frequent informal one to one discussions. In addition to providing academic support, PT's are also on hand to offer guidance on personal, social and healthcare education issues.
Accommodation
The college offers a good deal of choice. For students 17+, en-suite study rooms are available at International Students House (www.ish.org.uk) which is a 10 minute walk away. Alternatively, a range of homestay accommodation is offered and all host families live within 30 minutes travelling time of the college.
Extra Curricular Activities
Extra curricular activities are invaluable in developing qualities such as teamwork and initiative. At DLD we offer an extensive range of extra curricular activities, which include many traditional options such as sport, music and drama, and also a number of more innovative options such as journalism and film and television production. These newer options have been designed, at least in part, to help our students develop skills that will be useful to them in higher education and beyond. The facilities we are able to offer at our new premises allow students to really get involved in the practical side of these activities.
Contact
For further information or to arrange a visit to the college, please contact the Admissions Manager, Caroline Marshall on 0207 935 8411.
