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Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions FAQs

What is the ratio of applicants to places?

 

Approx number of applicants
3+ Nursery  66 places 150
4+ Reception  30 places 80 
7+ Year 3  25 places 80
11+ Year 7 20 places 15
All other year groups Occasional places arise from time to time, please contact Admissions

How do you assess such young children for entry into Early Years?

We also offer a familiarisation visit to the 3+ and 4+ applicants which serves as a great opportunity for the younger children to see the Early Years before they come for their assessment.

On assessment day itself, children  are seen in small groups (fewer than 10) to see how they play together and follow simple instructions.  The assessment finishes with a group story or music and the children then return to their parents.

What kind of pupil are you looking for? (4+ upwards)

Dulwich Prep London is a fast paced academic school. We look for a well-balanced boy who is excited to learn and willing to make a positive contribution to the school, closely following our core values; Love, Humility, Self-discipline, Gratitude, Justice, Honesty, Service and Courage.

Do you accept late entries?

We have a closing date for all registrations in November of the year before entry.  We do sometimes accept late entries if there is a place in that year group. A recent school report and a reference are always required.

Why come here rather than a 3 – 18 school or a primary school?

It is very difficult to know at age 3 what type of school will be best for your child at 13. We allow your son to grow into himself in an environment that is tailored specifically to the younger ages.

  • We have specialist teaching in all subjects from Y5
  • We prepare our boys for the very best schools in the country
  • We allow our pupils to take on responsibility and enjoy being the oldest pupils in their section or indeed the whole school in a way that in a senior school would be delayed until 18
  • Our senior staff are very experienced at helping parents choose the right school for their boys and will begin discussions in Y4
  • We are a dedicated Prep School and as such we will prepare boys for their chosen school rather than simply planning for progression in to the senior part of the school
  • Our boys have younger role models and hence remain boys for a little longer than if they went to a senior school earlier

What is the ethos of the school?

The school’s main priority is the well-being and happiness of its pupils.

  • The school strives to develop ‘values’ that we will nurture in each of our pupils: honesty, love, justice, self-discipline, courage, service, humility, gratitude
  • The school seeks to challenge every pupil in his or her pursuit of excellence, and aims to support them in developing their full potential.

What is the Religion of the school?

While the school has a Christian ethos, we welcome people of all faiths and none. Our 8 school values serve to support our belief in mutual respect and tolerance.

Why choose ‘boys only’ rather than coeducational?

Research shows that boys learn more effectively in a single gender environment

  • We train our staff in strategies that are specifically designed to support boys in their learning
  • Boys are far more likely to pursue a wide range of activities in a boys only school eg Join the choir, play in the orchestra
  • Our facilities are boy-specific
  • We are able to offer many more sports teams, more choirs

Do you offer Extended Day Care?

Yes. Our Extended Day Care is called @38 and is available to all pupils. Find out more here.

Do you have a transport system?

Although we don’t run our own buses, we have an arrangement that allows our boys to use the Foundation coaches that serve DC, Alleyn’s and JAGS. https://www.dulwich.org.uk/foundation-schools-coach-service/home

When boys are old enough, we encourage them to cycle or walk to school.

Dulwich Prep & Senior Announcement

We are delighted to share that we will be extending our provision from ages 3-13 to ages 2-16. Our first Year 9 cohort will start in September 2025.

As a highly commended school at this year’s Independent School of the Year Awards, we are excited to share that we will become Dulwich Prep & Senior.

We will continue to be a school of choice, maintaining our exceptional Prep offering with the option of staying to GCSE. Our support of families in finding the right senior school or sixth form at the right time for their sons will remain at our core, whether that be at ages 11, 13 or 16.

Our key entry points will be Nursery, Reception, Year 3, Year 7 and Year 9. Occasional places may be available in other year groups.

If you would like your son to be one of our ‘Trailblazers’ and join Year 9 in 2025 or 2026, please get in touch with our Admissions Department for further details.