Dulwich College

Dulwich College is an academically selective independent boys’ school in south London, and committed to nurturing a supportive community that encourages a sense of social responsibility and spiritual and personal development where pupils from a variety of backgrounds feel equally valued.  

The College is led by Dr Joe Spence, the Master, formerly Headteacher of Oakham School and history and politics teachers at Eton College where he was also housemaster to the King’s Scholars. Set in a 70-acre campus, only 12 minutes by train from central London, Dulwich offers a holistic education with an ethos of equity, respect and service.

Dulwich’s community of 1,600 boys from age 7 to 18 is diverse in its social mix, breadth of talents, character and backgrounds. The College comprises the Junior School (Year 3 to 6) and the Senior School, which is made up of the Lower School (Year 7 and 8), the Middle School (Year 9, 10 and 11) and the Upper School (Year 12 and 13), each with their own Head.

Dulwich College offers a significant number of Bursaries each year and warmly welcomes applications from boys who are intellectually curious and enthusiastic to stretch themselves to their limits.  Currently 214 pupils are in receipt of Bursaries, the majority for 75% or more of fees. Our aim is intellectual excellence irrespective of background or circumstance. 

Dulwich has a distinguished tradition of inspired teaching and genuine scholarship in the classroom and beyond with an array of lectures, visiting speakers, curriculum enrichment and symposia; the GCSE and A level results are outstanding with 76% of GCSE exams awarded grade 8 or 9 and 66% of all A level exams sat being awarded an A* or A in 2023.

Hand in hand with outstanding public examination results is an ethos of Free Learning (fostering intellectual curiosity beyond the constraints of syllabi) which permeates all aspects of Dulwich life, encouraging students to think critically and creatively, both inside and outside the classroom. Through programmes like Advanced Electives and Liberal Studies, pupils are challenged with university-style lectures and seminars on diverse subjects.

Pupils from the College join the most competitive of universities across the word, including Oxford and Cambridge in the UK, and Yale and Berkeley in the USA, and thereafter enter all the major professions with a high number choosing to work in engineering, the health services and the law. Many of its students go on to engage in entrepreneurial, technological, cybernetic and innovative enterprises too, and Dulwich also has a reputation for producing fine actors, musicians, sportsmen and writers.

Our new and sustainable Lower School building will open in Summer 2024 and house a Library, IT suites, including a robotics suite, and Wellbeing area. 

Co-educational opportunities have continued to increase with College pupils and pupils from local girls’ schools JAGS and Sydenham High GDST meeting across a series of learning and co-curricular activities, including Advanced Electives, Symposiums, Drama and Music productions, CCF, Rowing and Free Learning programmes.

The boarding community comprises over 20 nationalities who enjoy excellent facilities, including extensive sporting opportunities. Weekend activities include House trips, which might include, for example, The Design Museum, a Mid-Autumn festival celebration, go-karting and paintball, and pupils also have time to relax, recharge their batteries, socialise and study in a calm and caring environment.

Dulwich cultivates a supportive and inclusive environment where students are empowered to excel academically, engage with their community, and grow into well-rounded global citizens.