Dulwich Cranbrook

Since September 2023, Sophie Bradshaw, previously deputy head of Croydon High School and before that, head of the junior school. Has also been head of years 3 and 4 at Ardingly College. Didn’t realise she was built for education until she was doing

Children can join pre-nursery any time from the September after they turn 2. Most popular entry points are nursery or reception. Non-selective academically, so it’s first come, first served, with tours offered throughout term time. The school is

Until recently, just over a third left after year 6 – most to local grammar, Cranbrook School, the rest to other grammars and independents. Various destinations at 13+, with Cranbrook, Benenden and Sutton Valence prominent. All change now, though, as

Nash House, home to pre-nursery (fledglings) and nursery, greets tinies with an impressive rainbow tube installation hanging in its atrium and an emphasis on sensory play. We found children painting their hands and printing them, as well as finding

Learning support team (four SENCos, plus additional learning support staff) accommodates the quarter of pupils on the SEN register who have a full range of needs – mainly dyslexia, but also ADHD, autism etc. The school is non-selective, but ‘the

Inside the busy art rooms, children work hard to earn the much acclaimed ‘artist of the week award’. They take pride in telling us about different artists whose skills and approaches spark their own projects - but not at the expense of individual

Sport needed ‘a serious freshen up – not competitive enough’, according to parents - but there’s been ‘definite change’, we heard (while still remaining inclusive). New school sports kit means children look and feel the part. Greater breadth now

Flexi boarding for cosy fun, run by two kindly staff members - 26 beds in total. Popular through word of mouth, and fills up quickly. ‘Everything you'd want,’ says one parent. Two girls’ dorms (long with sloped ceilings), two boys rooms (high

Head says pastoral care can be gauged by looking at ‘how accepting children are of each other’, returning to those words, ‘be deliberately different’. Parents tell us it’s a ‘happy’ and ‘nurturing’ school where their children ‘thrive’. Throughout the

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

New parents are drawn to ever-improving facilities and vast open green spaces, telling us their child’s face ‘lit up’ on their tour and that the school ‘welcomed us with open arms’. Many local families - ‘like a school reunion’ on the school

A handsome, traditional rural prep + new senior school = ‘best of both worlds’, say parents. Happy children thrive and are valued as individuals in this nurturing, fun and inclusive community, where parents say ‘you’re all part of the team’ (them