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St Dunstan's college seniors - any inside info?

8 replies

pulledbothways · 17/02/2012 17:39

my ds has just got an offer for st Dunstan's. also offer for Alleyn's. I've heard mixed reports especially about quality of teaching. Does anyone have experience to share?

OP posts:
Tattymum · 19/02/2012 12:18

Well done to your DS, a nice quandary to have. My DS has also been offered a place at St Dunstan's but didn't get in at Alleyn's (his first choice). I liked the breadth of the academic curriculum at St D's and the IB is a big draw - we applied on the recommendation of DS's tutor who was teacher and her children went there.
I know it?s got an old grammar school feel but I felt St D?s (when visiting, during sports scholarship, and at interviews) were offering a more rounded educational experience and more nurturing rather than the driving academic excellence of the super selective Alleyn?s, which could turn some boys off.
Also know two families with children currently at St D?s: one with 2 boys there and are very happy with the progress they have made ; the other has a girl there and feels it?s great except for the sporting side. If your DS is sporty I would go for Alleyn's, but that?s probably because it would have suited my son. Good luck!
PS If you move this to secondary education you may get more first hand replies?

happygardening · 19/02/2012 12:52

We also know of friends with DC's there up to yr 10 they are very pleased with it. They too seem to think its very nurturing and haven't complained about the teaching.
The only negative I've ever heard that its doesn't sufficiently stretch the super bright!

TalkinPeace2 · 20/02/2012 17:42

I knew it when there was still Ivy on the front .....

happygardening · 20/02/2012 17:52

i think the ivy might still be there. I was outside last Autumn when a friend picked her DC's and and I pretty sure its still there. Parking/traffic seemed a bit of a pain but I suppose thats just London; how quickly one forgets!

janinlondon · 21/02/2012 08:59

We have a DD in yr 7 at Dunstan's. Teaching staff all good so far. Children seem very settled. Quite a small school so the teachers know the children. And the headmistress is a serious presence - DD says she is always around, and always stops to talk to you. Head of lower school is also very accessible and genial. Sports and music staff all very enthusiastic. This is not a school where anyone cares about what car you drive or whether your parents are famous - they just care about the kids. And the average A level score in the latest league tables is looking pretty good. We couldn't be happier with our choice! (And DD would like me to add that the food at St D's is really really fab).

TalkinPeace2 · 21/02/2012 12:45

I still find it odd that there are girls there.
In my day it was known as Dustbins and the only girls were the headmaster's daughters who ALL the boys were in love with!

Winkly · 22/02/2012 19:32

I used to live near St Dunstans, and I was always highly impressed by the manners, presentation and confidence of the pupils, which IMO matters a great deal.

spendthrift · 25/02/2012 09:45

A friend had one dc at each. Both doing well. Would say Alleyn's more academic and better connected to the arts world, Dunstans more relaxed.

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