Address: Alleyn’s School, Townley Road, Dulwich, London SE22 8SU
Region: London – Inner (London postal codes)
Pupils: 1180, Upper sixth 140
Description: Founded in 1619 and endowed by Edward Alleyn, the Elizabethan actor-manager, it stands in 26 acres of fine grounds and playing fields in Dulwich. The main buildings date from 1887 with a number of recent additions, including modernised library, computer suites, art and design studios, music school and a new performing arts centre. The spacious grounds allow a full range of sporting activities within the school boundaries. The school has had a partnership with, and enjoyed considerable financial support from, the Worshipful Company of Saddlers for some 30 years. Academically and intellectually, it is one of the foremost co-educational schools in southern England. A friendly and purposeful school providing a first-rate traditional education with excellent examination results. The school has admitted girls on equal terms since the mid-seventies and has a very strong commitment to co-education. It is a Church of England foundation but assemblies are ecumenical in character. It has a very strong and active music school and is also noted for art and drama (the National Youth Theatre was developed at the school and it has a rehearsal studio in the new performing arts centre). It is highly regarded in the locality where it enjoys vigorous support.
School Head: Headmaster: Dr Colin Diggory, appointed 2002. Educated at Durham University (mathematics). Previously Headmaster at Latymer Upper School, Head of Maths at Merchant Taylors’ and Assistant Master both at St Paul’s and at Manchester Grammar. Former A-level Chief Examiner, Chairman of HMC London Division, ISI Inspector. Teaching staff: 121 full time, 23 part time.
Results: GCSE: 138 pupils in Year 11, all gaining at least grade C in 8 or more subjects. A-level: 137 in Year 13; 32% passed 4+ subjects, 68% 3 subjects. Average final point score of 379.
Furtherhigher: 100% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course, 15% to Oxbridge. 8% take courses in medicine, 27% in dentistry, science and engineering, 3% in law, 47% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 5% in languages, 5% in vocational subjects such as education, journalism, accountancy.
Arts: Music: over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 40 performing groups, including 4 orchestras, 4 choirs, 2 jazz bands and several string and wind chamber groups. Several pupils in junior conservatoires, NYO, NYC, LSSO, NCO; pupils regularly gain Oxbridge choral and organ scholarships and places at conservatoires. Drama: GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies available. Drama clubs in lower and middle schools. Range of productions throughout the year. Regular entrants to drama college and university drama courses. Some pupils selected for National Youth Theatre and National Youth Music Theatre. Art and design: on average, 50 take GCSE A-level, 30 A-level. All pupils taught painting, drawing, sculpture and ceramics. 3D-design, pottery and photography also offered. Some 10 pa accepted to art college and art-related courses.
Sport: Sport: Football, hockey, cricket, basketball, athletics, tennis, swimming, netball, rounders, cross-country compulsory. Keep fit, fives, aerobics, badminton, fitness and weight training, water polo, golf, horse riding optional. Regular county and regional representation (gymnastics, swimming, hockey, cricket, basketball, fives, netball, football, athletics, cross-country). Activities: pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. All Year 10 pupils take part in D of E or community service (including working with disabled children) or CCF (one of the largest voluntary forces in the country). 50+ clubs including choral, bridge, Amnesty, Christian Union, ceramics, debating, art, science, politics, computing, various sports and electronics.
Formerpupils: Julian Glover (cellist); Simon Ward, John Stride, Ray Cooney, Jude Law, Sam West, Nancy Carroll, Tom Godwin, (actors); Stuart Blanch (former Archbishop of York); C S Forester, V S Pritchett (writers); Prof R V Jones (Enigma coding); Peter Lammer (CEO Sophos); Ajay Kakkar (Prof of surgical science, Barts); Mike Merrifield (Prof Astronomy, Nottingham); Micky Stewart, John Pretlove (sport); Florence Welch, Jack Pe±ate (pop musicians); Jack Lanchberry, Hannah Sloane, Mitch McGugan (musicians); Benjamin Wallfisch (composer) Peter Darling (choreographer); Felix Barrett (theatre director), Sir Henry Cotton (golfer), Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen (television personality).
