The school day
The school day begins at 8.30am and lessons begin at 9am.
After a 20-minute break at 10.35am, lessons resume until lunchtime, which is taken between 11.45am and 12pm.
After lunch in the dining hall, children return to their classrooms for supervised quiet reading, class activities or choirs, followed by playtime in the Orchard.
Lessons continue from 1.30pm until the end of the school day at 3.30pm, when children shake hands with their teacher and are collected by parents. An after-school club, Swallow Club, and a range of activities are available after 3.30pm.
| 8.00am | Early Birds care |
| 8.30am | School day begins |
| 9.00am | Lessons begin |
| 10.35 - 10.55am | Snack for Years 1, 2 and 3, followed by playtime outside on the top playground |
| 11.45am | Nursery morning session ends |
| 11.45am - 12pm | Lunch begins for Nursery (11.45am), Reception/Year 1 (11.50am), Year 2 (11.55am) and Year 3 (12pm) |
| 12.30 - 1pm | Children return to classrooms for supervised quiet reading, class activities or choirs |
| 1.00 - 1.25pm | Playtime in the Orchard |
| 1.30pm | Lessons resume |
| 3.30pm | School day ends |
| 3.30 - 4.30pm | After-school activities and Swallow Club |
| 4.30 - 5.25pm | Late Swallow Club with supper |
Assemblies
There are four assemblies per week at Dunannie, which are either taken by a member of staff, visiting speaker or the children themselves, usually in the form of a class assembly to celebrate the children’s work and achievements. Parents are invited to join us at least two class assemblies during the year.
Catering
The Bedales Catering department puts together a varied and healthy lunch menu for Dunannie children, who eat together in the dining room each day. All meals are freshly cooked in our kitchens and locally sourced where possible. Special diets and allergies are catered for daily. View Dunannie lunch menus here.
Snack time is planned as a regular, pleasant and social event and we provide a range of cultural and nutritious experiences for the children. During snack time, we sit with children and encourage them to talk and listen to each other, learning to respect each other's views and opinions, likes and dislikes.
Parents are involved in discussions about the snack food provided through the Friends of Dunannie class representatives.
Wraparound care
Children can be dropped off from 8am for Early Bird Club, where they are supervised by staff before the school day begins.
An after-school club, Swallow Club, is available for children in Nursery to Year 3, until 4.30pm. A late Swallow Club, which includes supper, runs from 4.30-5.25pm.
Parents can book a place for their child at Early Bird or Swallow Club, for which there is an additional charge, through the school office.
