Dulwich College

Since August 2024, Fiona Angel, acting master (which she also was for one term each in 2022 and 2023). During her 14-year career at Dulwich, she has been senior deputy, deputy master pastoral and head of curriculum and learning. She is an ISI

Not ultra-elite, but a high bar. ‘We’re committed to the top 15 per cent or so academically’, students bringing different strengths, who will ‘take hold of and enjoy the co-curricular’. At 11+, half of the 75 boys arrive from Dulwich College Junior

Less than 10 per cent leave after GCSEs. Majority who stay progress primarily to Russell Group universities. UCL, Bristol, Warwick, Durham, Imperial, Edinburgh and Manchester all popular recently. Generally a few head off to drama and art foundation

In 2024, 91 per cent 9-7 at I/GCSE; 63 per cent A*/A at A level (86 per cent A*-B).

Academic culture thriving. Focused on a love of learning for its own sake. ‘We don’t strain for everyone to get nine 9s’; accordingly, plenty of 7s at GCSE and the odd 6 too. Sciences, English, maths, history and art all do well. At A level, maths

Four well-qualified learning support teachers shared with the junior school, providing support to those 20 per cent of boys with a diagnosed learning difficulty. Eight per cent receive EAL support via two dedicated teachers.

Arts, music and co-curricular are outstanding. Offering has been rationalised recently – ‘The breadth has always been there, but consistency of approach was needed.’ Philosophy behind it is voluntarism – ‘boys are there because they want to be there’

In years 7 and 8 boys can play a range of sports including rugby, football, hockey, cricket and athletics. A plethora of teams lure lots in – skiing, rowing, fives, squash, cross-country and basketball, to name but a few. Boys can try golf,

Two-thirds of boarders are in the sixth form, majority from China and Hong Kong, but also Eastern Europe. Parents praised integration of overseas boarders and day boys, who are invited to fun socials including a Chinese New Year dinner. Four boarding

Although the school is large, boys feel they know each other within their year. Transition points handled thoughtfully, ensuring boys get to bond with each other, for instance on a Welsh adventure when joining the lower school. Those who have known

Socially inclusive. A culturally and ethnically diverse population, augmented by the boarders though lots of multilingual day children too. ‘It takes boys who are sporty, academic, musical, artistic and a mixture of all those things. If your child is

Nearly a third of boys have some financial assistance – two-thirds of these from scholarships, the rest from bursaries. Up to 105 per cent fee remission available on a means-tested basis. Parents feel the school offers excellent value for money.

Don’t be fooled. Dulwich may be 400 years old, but the approach to learning and co-curricular is bang up to date. PG Wodehouse (known as Plum to his schoolmates) described his time there as ‘six years of unbroken bliss’ – thanks to an ambitious