Founded in 1619 by Edward Alleyn, the Elizabethan actor-manager, it moved to its present 70 acre site on the edge of Dulwich village in 1870. It has very handsome, patrician buildings set within a big expanse of playing fields; extensive building programmes have provided excellent facilities including a new sixth form centre, a café, a purpose-built music school, a 250-seat theatre, three libraries and exemplary ICT facilities. It aims to provide an environment with a good work ethos where pupils acquire an independent and critical approach to learning and where they can feel secure and equally valued whatever their cultural and social background. Academic studies are well run by a large and well-qualified staff and pupils consistently produce excellent examination results. Music plays an important part in the life of the school. A 250-strong choir undertakes major works and there are several orchestras and smaller groups. Drama involves a large number of pupils in numerous productions and the art school produces work of a high order. The design and technology centre has workshops for engineering, boatbuilding and cabinet making. With extensive grounds, a boathouse and a field centre, it offers a wide range of sports, and standards are high. Over 40 clubs and societies meet regularly, offering a broad co-curricular programme, ranging from debating to fencing and, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award to community service.
Pupils: Total age range 7-18; 1493 boys (1375 day, 118 boarding). Junior department 7-11, 193 boys. Senior department 11-18, 1300 boys. Entrance: Main entry ages 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam, plus interview; for sixth form entry, 6 GCSEs at grade A (including English and sixth-form subjects). No special skills required other than the potential to gain from what the school offers; no religious requirements (wide religious and ethnic mix). 60% of intake at 11 from state schools (few at 13).
Significant number of academic scholarships awarded at age 7, 11 and 13, value up to 33% fees (can be enhanced by a bursary in cases of financial need): also scholarships for art, music and sport. Means-tested bursaries available, up to 100% fees remission. Approx 30% of senior boys receive some form of financial assistance.
65+% in industry or commerce. 85+% live within 30 miles; up to 10% live overseas.
Master: Dr Joseph Spence, in post from 2009. Educated at Salesian College and at Reading University (modern history and politics) and Birkbeck, London University (PhD, Irish history). Previously Headmaster of Oakham, Master in College (Housemaster to the King’s Scholars) and taught history at Eton. Teaching staff: 160 full time, 23 part time. Annual turnover approx 7%. Average age approx 40.
GCSE: On average, 190 pupils in Year 11: 99% gained at least grade C in 9+ subjects. A-levels: 182 in upper sixth: 33% passed in 4+ subjects, 67% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 381.
98% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course, 15% to Oxbridge, 2% to universities overseas. 8% take courses in medicine and dentistry, 25% in maths, science and engineering, 50% in humanities and social sciences, 17% in economics and business studies.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 35 examination subjects offered. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, AS-level general studies and critical thinking offered. Key skills integrated into general studies and other subjects. Vocational: Work experience available at the end of Years 11 and 12. Specialist careers staff, professional external advisors and accredited library provide careers and higher education information. Boys and parents attend annual courses and careers convention. Special provision: Support tuition for pupils with limited learning difficulties (eg dyslexia); EAL teaching (mainly for overseas entrants at 16+). Some partially-sighted and profoundly deaf boys have progressed well through the school. Languages: French, German, Italian, Spanish, Latin, Greek and Mandarin offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular study-visits abroad (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and China). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg mathematics, modern languages, science and geography. Computer studies AS and A-level offered. Over 400 computers for pupil use, all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Some 33% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Many musical groups including 2 full orchestras, 2 brass groups, 2 wind bands, 3 choirs, chamber orchestra, big band. College chapel choir performs regularly in the chapel and across the UK. Drama: Drama offered, both part of the curriculum and extra-curricular. Many are involved in school and house productions; over 50 productions staged in own theatre annually. Art and design: On average, 80 take GCSE, 25 A-level; A-level history of art also offered.
Sport: 24 sports on offer. Curriculum sports are rugby, hockey, soccer, cricket, swimming, athletics, tennis, badminton, squash, cross-country, basketball, fencing, rowing. Optional sports include golf, weight training, martial arts, lifesaving. RLSS exams may be taken. Boys frequently represent sports at national or county level. Activities: Pupils can opt for Duke of Edinburgh's Award (bronze, silver and gold available), CCF, community service or Scouts. Up to 40 clubs, eg computers, debating, mathematics, political (prominent politicians often invited to speak). Debating and chess very successful at national level.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses (for eg drama, chess, music, sport). School captain and senior prefects appointed by the Master with advice from pupils and staff. Religion: Church of England school. There are regular assemblies and celebrations of Eucharist for Anglicans and Roman Catholics; visiting Hindu, Jewish and Muslim leaders assist in denominational services. Social: Regular holiday visits abroad (educational and recreational) and language exchanges; sports tours. Meals self-service. School shop.
The aim is for a well-ordered environment, in which discipline is firm and fair. Pupils failing to produce homework receive detentions.
Sixth form have own ensuite study bedrooms; younger pupils share. 2 sixth-form houses, 1 for younger pupils. Resident nursing; local GP on call; college counsellor. Limited cooking facilities for senior pupils for supplementary food. Half-term (2 weeks in October, 1 week in other terms) plus 2 weekend exeats.
Secretary, The Alleyn Club, c/o Dulwich College.
P G Wodehouse, A E W Mason, C S Forester, Raymond Chandler, Michael Ondaatje, Graham Swift (authors); Trevor Bailey (cricketer); Sir Ernest Shackleton (Antarctic explorer); Gordon Jacob (composer); Lord (Eddie) George (former governor of the Bank of England); 5 VCs in First World War, 3 in Second; Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rupert Perry-Jones (actors); Peter Oosterhuis (golfer); Kieran West (oarsman); Andrew Sheridan, Nick Easter (rugby players); Peter Lilley, John Spellar (MPs); Nigel Farage MEP (UKIP)
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