Dulwich College was founded in 1619 by Edward Alleyn, the Elizabethan actor, and marked its 400th anniversary in 2019.
The College is an academically selective, independent day and boarding school for boys aged 7–18; full, weekly and flexi boarding is available for boys aged 11–18. Situated in over 70 acres of grounds and playing fields, the campus is just 10 minutes by train from London Victoria. A Dulwich education ensures each pupil fulfils their academic potential whilst taking advantage of the wide range of sporting, cultural and adventurous activities on offer.
Boys move on to universities, medical and dental schools, music and art colleges. Almost all enter higher education, but an increasing number of boys are following vocational paths including Degree Apprenticeships. Pupils are prepared for entry to the most competitive universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial, where a very good record of places is maintained each year.
The College’s principal aims for all its boys are:
•to offer an appropriate academic challenge which enables each pupil to realise his potential;
•to create an environment which promotes an independent work ethic and encourages all boys to acquire a love of learning;
•to provide a wide range of sporting, cultural and adventurous activities for pupils to enjoy and through which they can learn to work cooperatively and to take a lead;
•to nurture a supportive community that encourages a sense of social responsibility and spiritual and personal development;
•to ensure that pupils from a broad variety of backgrounds can feel equally secure and valued;
•to offer boys and staff opportunities to benefit from and contribute to the College’s international and UK educational partnerships.
Organisation. The College, comprising some 1,600 boys, has four specific schools: Junior School, Lower School, Middle School and Upper School. Each of these has its own Head who is responsible to The Master for that part of the College. Within each School there are Heads of Year and Form Tutors who have daily contact with boys in their care. These teams are responsible for overseeing the pastoral and academic welfare of the boys and they ensure that close links are fostered between parents and the College.
DUCKS. Nestled within the leafy grounds of Dulwich College, DUCKS, the Infants’ school and Kindergarten, fondly referred to as the ‘jewel on the hill’, stands as a beacon of co-educational excellence. Here children aged 6 months to 7 years embark on a journey of early education within an environment of expansive outdoor spaces and attractive learning environments. Moreover, DUCKS children enjoy the rich array of facilities and resources available within the 70 acre Dulwich College campus.
Day House system. A thriving Day House system offers boys the opportunity to take part in a wide range of competitive activities including art, chess, poetry, general knowledge, debating, drama and music. They can also compete in a number of sports throughout the academic year, including rugby, soccer, hockey, cricket and athletics.
Curriculum. In Years 7 and 8 all boys follow a broad and balanced curriculum, including all standard core subjects and French or Spanish, Chinese, Latin, Wellbeing, PE, Computing, Drama, DT, Art and Music. In Year 8, boys make a choice between Latin, Chinese or German; this reduces the number of languages studied to two, allowing boys the time to engage rigorously in their chosen languages and make significant progress. In Year 9 boys continue with the core subjects, Wellbeing and PE together with French or Spanish, and they choose a second language from German, Chinese, French, Spanish, Latin or Italian. This second language may be a continuation of languages they have previously studied, or they may start them from scratch. In Years 10 and 11 boys take between nine and 10 GCSE subjects, comprising English, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and French or Spanish plus three optional subjects; they all continue with Wellbeing and PE. In the Upper School (Years 12 and 13), there is a free choice of three A Level subjects (four if they are studying Further Mathematics) and since 2017 every pupil has opted for an A Level ‘Plus’ option which is an in-house qualification that aims to provide enrichment, cross-curricular links and programmes that reflect the likely courses boys choose at university. Boys will also choose a ‘Link’ course in conjunction with James Allen’s Girls’ School that will provide breadth to their educational profile, including a regular lecture series and community service options. The concept of Free Learning (supra-curricular and other learning beyond the curriculum) is now fully embedded in the life of the College across all year groups.
Facilities. Over the years the College has developed its complex of buildings to meet the needs of boys’ education in the twenty-first century, and this development continues. In the summer of 2022, work began on the complete refurbishment of the Lower School for Years 7 and 8.
One of these developments is The Laboratory, a new state-of-the-art building that brings together the twin cultures of Science and Art. There are 21 laboratories, three preparation rooms and the James Caird Hall, which houses the rescue boat of one of the College’s most famous Old Alleynians, Sir Ernest Shackleton. There are five adaptable ‘Informatics’ suites with free-thinking spaces for creative learning and cross-curricular collaboration and a seminar room with full videoconferencing facilities. In addition, there is a versatile 240-seat auditorium which is available to the whole Dulwich community for events and exhibitions and an outdoor piazza for recreation and performance.
Extensive IT facilities are available to all pupils. The IT network gives pupils and staff access to a wide range of centrally stored learning resources through the College’s own virtual learning environment, ‘MyDulwich’. Three separate libraries, all staffed by professional librarians, cater to the specific needs of different age groups. Exhibitions, drawn from the College archive, are regularly mounted in the Wodehouse Library.
The College has two separate dining areas which provide a wide choice of food, including a vegetarian option, on a cafeteria basis for both pupils and staff. The College also has its own shop, the Commissariat, where uniform, equipment and stationery can be purchased. The Medical Centre provides professional nursing care on a round-the-clock basis for boarders and day boys. The College Counsellor, based in the Medical Centre, provides confidential consultation for pupils and parents.
Sport is integral to life at Dulwich College both within the curriculum and as part of the wider co-curricular programme. There are over 70 acres of playing fields. The Sports Centre includes a substantial sports hall and a modern indoor 25-metre swimming pool. The College owns a boathouse on the Thames, accommodating the thriving Boat Club, and an Outdoor Centre in the Brecon Beacons which is used for a variety of activities and residential courses.
•1,215 pupils (75%) represent Dulwich at sport
We have a breadth and depth of opportunities for all pupils to participate in sport with a commitment to educating pupils about why physical activity is important and the positive effects of sport through our physical wellbeing programme.
•A multi-sport approach
This includes Rugby, Football, Hockey, Cricket, Athletics, Rowing, Tennis, Badminton, Fencing, Swimming, Water Polo, Squash, Basketball, Cycling and Cross Country.
•We run a High-Performance Programme tailored to meet the needs of the individual; pupils don’t, however, have to be sports scholars to access this programme.
•Pupils have gained scholarships to top universities both in the UK and abroad, and a number have gone on to full-time careers playing sport.
Music and Drama. A professionally equipped, purpose-built Music School provides all pupils with the opportunity to study a musical instrument. More than 600 pupils receive individual tuition every week from 35 experienced specialist musicians, led by the Heads of Strings, Wind, Brass, Keyboard and Singing. The College Chapel Choir, an ancient foundation, leads regular services in the Foundation Chapel (Christ’s Chapel) and also at other venues throughout the country. The Edward Alleyn Theatre is a fully rigged auditorium with a capacity of 250; over 50 events are staged annually and the facility includes rehearsal and teaching spaces, as well as dressing rooms. In 2019 Dulwich College was awarded ‘Independent School of the Year for the Performing Arts’, acknowledging the work and talent of the Drama and Music departments. The award was conferred by Independent School Parent magazine.
•The College offers Music Awards at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Music Scholarships are awarded up to 33% remission of fees and include free tuition on 2 instruments. Music Exhibitions offer free tuition on two instruments.
Art and DT. At Dulwich College, we are not necessarily in the business of turning every student into a professional artist. Instead, we endeavour to instil a life-long love, respect and understanding of the arts as a whole. We strive to ensure our challenging curriculum and diverse co-curricular and enrichment opportunities appeal to the wide range of students who come into our care. We believe art allows students to go on a journey into unknown territories, to discover a passion and niche within the world of cultural possibility, in turn helping them to gain confidence in their ability to create, take risks and problem solve.
•The Store Gallery
Our ‘rough magic’ space The Store hosts exhibitions and events by emerging artists and collectives. These have included Evolving Spaces with Almanac architects, Make a Mark with a collective of artists both London based and international and Interview – prototype with Harrison Pearce. The space is also used for artists in residence and to showcase work by pupils providing them with the skills and experience of being the maker, curator, and technician.
•Partnerships
As part of a collective of art and art history departments we work with our local partnership schools on art, photography and design projects and competitions. We come together to both host and attend talks and lectures, most recently Michael Landy gave a talk and interview at the College hosted by a pupil panel made up of our pupils and those from partnership schools.
•Community Art
Two students were commissioned by the Camberwell Society to paint an optical illusion of the Jamaican poet, writer, and activist Una Marson at Denmark Hill Station. Their art installation, an anamorphic illusion of the BBC trailblazer, was seen by 10,000 daily commuters.
•Prize winners
Two A level Art pupils won the judges prize for the London Schools Sovereign Art Prize and many of our students are awarded top place at the Young Art competition.
Clubs and Societies. A wide variety of clubs and societies, many run by the pupils themselves, take place during the lunch break and after school. These range from Lego for the younger boys to the Political Society which is responsible for inviting prominent public figures to speak. The College is particularly renowned for its Debating success that in 2016 culminated in a Year 12 pupil captaining Team England to victory in the World Schools Debating Championships. The College encourages boys to take part in expeditions as well as many community-based activities which can include membership of the Combined Cadet Force, Scouts, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and Community Action. Academic, cultural and sporting excursions take place at various points throughout the school year.
Careers. Specialist careers staff, professional external advisors, dedicated IT facilities and an accredited library provide an up-to-date service assisting boys in planning higher education and careers. Boys and their parents attend the annual Courses and Careers Convention to consult with representatives from key employers, professional institutes and around 25 universities. Upper School boys receive guidance on how degree course choices might influence their future careers. Regular networking events and groups have the aim of allowing Old Alleynians (OAs) and Alleynians to share experiences and expertise and to develop their network of professional contacts. Alumni of all ages can benefit from membership and are encouraged to join.
Mentoring is widely recognised as an effective tool for enhancing career prospects and ensuring informed choice. The Mentoring Programme is offered to Dulwich College pupils and OAs and brings together mentors and mentees in purposeful, mutually rewarding relationships. It is designed to provide additional support for OAs as they progress through their careers.
Boarding. There are three boarding houses in Dulwich College, all situated within or close to the campus. Each house has a Housemaster who is resident with his family. Boys in Years 7–13 live in Old Blew and The Orchard and boys in the Upper School live in Blew House and Ivyholme, where each boy has his own room with en-suite facilities. At present, there are around 140 boarders. Boarding at Dulwich is truly international with boys coming from all over the world and this adds to an atmosphere of cultural tolerance and intellectual curiosity.
ISI Inspection November 2014. ISI Inspectors awarded Dulwich College, Dulwich College Junior School and DUCKS ‘Excellent’ in every category, ‘Exceptional’ for ‘the quality of pupils’ achievements and learning’ for the senior school – the only category for which this grading can be given – and ‘Outstanding’ for the EYFS (Kindergarten, Nursery and Reception).
Entry. Pupils are admitted to the College as day pupils, boarders, weekly boarders or occasional boarders. Places are available at age 7, 11, 13 and 16. Casual vacancies occur from time to time at ages 8, 9, 10 and 12. At age 7 places are awarded on the basis of interview, report and practical assessment during the Lent Term. At age 11 places are awarded on the results of the Combined Entrance and Scholarship Examination held in the Lent Term. Candidates take papers in English and Mathematics and also a Verbal/Non-Verbal Reasoning test. At age 13 boys may take the College’s own Entrance Examinations held in the Lent Term. Entrance is by examination and interview. At 16+ places are offered on the results from subject specific tests, interview and GCSE grades. Application should generally be in the year before desired date of entry. For further information please see the Admissions section on the College website. A non-refundable registration fee of £160 is charged for all applications and £320 for overseas applications.
Fees per term (2023-2024). Day: £8,231 (includes lunch for Junior and Lower School pupils up to Year 8); Full Boarding: £17,182; Weekly Boarding: £16,108.
Scholarships and Bursaries. We warmly welcome applications from parents with academically strong boys who need full or partial financial support to send their son to Dulwich College. Bursaries provide financial assistance with school fees. Whilst the majority of bursaries are offered on entry to Year 7 (11+), we also award bursaries to boys joining in Years 3 (7+), 4 (8+), 5 (9+), 9 (13+) and 12 (16+).
We also offer a range of scholarships. Please refer to our scholarships pages for more information about how we acknowledge academic, sporting and cultural excellence. Thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, we are able to give over £4 million every year to support 200 bursary awards.
All applicants are considered on the basis of their performance in the entrance examination and interview. A Bursary and a Scholarship might be awarded together up to a maximum value of 100% of the school fees. In addition to school fees, means-tested support may be available for trips and other enrichment activities.
Old Alleynians. Founded in 1873, The Alleyn Club is a flourishing former pupils’ association with over 10,000 Old Alleynian (OA) members living in more than 90 countries. The club’s name acknowledges the founder, Edward Alleyn, actor, theatre manager and contemporary of William Shakespeare.
Charitable status. Dulwich College is a Registered Charity, number 1150064.
Governors & Staff:
The Governing Body:
Chair: Adrian JS Carr, PhD [OA]
Vice Chair: Dr Irene Bishop, CBE, BEd, MA, LLD
Fred Binka [OA]
Ben Dean, BA, MProf [OA]
Keri Elborn, BA, FCA
Karen Fowler, MA
Randa Hanna, BA, AA Dipl RIBA
Howard Kerr, MA, MBA
David Parfitt
Catherine Polli, LLB
Tim Pethybridge
Malik Ramadhan, OBE [OA]
Kirsty Rutter, BSc, ACMA
Nic Weatherhead, BSc, MCIPD
Honorary International Advisor to the Governors: His Excellency Khun Anand Panyarachun, Hon KBE, MA [OA]
Special Advisor to the Governors: Sir John H Riblat, FRICS, Hon FRIBA [OA]
[OA] Old Alleynian
Clerk to the Governors: Ms K Jones, LLB
Master of the College: Dr Joe Spence, BA Hons, PhD
Deputy Masters:
Mrs F M Angel, BA (Senior Deputy)
Mr A Threadgould, BSc (Academic)
Dr C S B Pyke, MA, MMus, PhD (External)
Mr E Read, MA (Pastoral and Co-curricular)
Chief Operating Officer: Mr G Keogh-Peters, BA, ACA
Chief Financial Officer: Mr B Hoo, ACA
Director of Communications: Ms J M Scott, MA, MBA
Director of Development: Mr M Jarrett, BA
Director of Admissions, Libraries & Archives: Dr N D Black, BA, PhD
Head of Upper School: Mr C O Siochru, MA, MPhil
Head of Middle School: Mr S Tanna, BA
Head of Lower School: Ms F Cooke, BA
Head of Junior School: Dr T G A Griffiths, PGCE, MA, MSc, DPhil
Head of DUCKS (Kindergarten and Infants’ School): Mrs J Parker, BEd
Registrars: Mrs A Williams and Mrs P Twisk
Archivist: Mrs C M Lucy, BA, MCLIP
PA to the Master: Mrs M Wood
PA Governance & Finance: Ms S White