Dulwich college 11+

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Hi - just wondering if anyone who sat DC 11+ this year has received an interview offer yet? Our DS is state school primary. Aware some children from the private primaries have received interview offer. Curious as to whether any state school families have? Thanks!

I guess go on gut feeling and give distance to the school serious consideration. Wow! I'm fascinated that you entered for the entrance exam without seeing it! What were your thoughts on it? I have never been to LU. Are they very different schools or similar?

We are 99% of the way there. We re-visited Dulwich and still love it. Fran Cooke, Head of Lower School, is so incredibly nice which is a huge positive.

Whitgift still feels a bit neater, well presented and less traditional. The Lower School at Dulwich looks a bit tired and the classrooms are bit cramped, but the amazing new library will no doubt brighten that whole section up. Dulwich is marginally better academically, but not hugely, but Dr Spence was impressive (not sure how long he will stay though as he is in his 60s). That's not say that Chris Ramsay at Whitgift isn't, I think he is really good too, that's why the decision is so hard!

Dulwich is, however, considerably more convenient. It's walkable in about 25 mins or so or a 10 minute cycle, as opposed to spending probably close to double that on a bus. It's this that is probably the final decision maker.

I know what you mean about the form rooms in the lower school but I think it's a small issue when you take in other factors. Classrooms for specialist subjects are great and the setting and facilities in general are fantastic.

I also think Whitgift is great.. I mean, it's got the wow factor in spades. For us it comes down to fitting in with our lifestyle, which is close by and I think spending all that time in traffic at the weekend will drive me mad in the end. So making life easy and being local brings it all into focus now.

Agree, Fran Cooke is lovely. New library.. can't wait to see that. I like that lunches are included in the fees for year 7 and 8.

It has more of a family feel in the lower school than Whitgift which is slightly more corporate. Not sure what makes me feel that way though. Whitgift is our third choice after Dulwich and Trinity I think for that reason. But like Whitgift that's too far away
and I didn't realise how expensive the school busses to both were. I naively thought they were included or heavily subsidised and didn't factor that cost in. Public transport takes even longer than the school bus.

I think son would have to leave the house at about 8.10am for DC or 7.30am if not earlier for Whitgift /Trinity.

Anyone on here who lives equal distance to Dulwich and another school you are considering? And what are thoughts on Dulwich? I am totally clouded by the distance thing I think! But then again it's a great school. Can't really complain!

We didn't get to see Dulwich because we were both working and the webinar got cancelled.

We’ve finally decided on Dulwich over Alleyns. Went to see Dulwich again and I just like it more and more each time I go. Also v pleased the new library will be open for pretty much when they join. Think that will transform the lower school experience. Agree the lower school is a bit tired but they do at least half their lessons elsewhere in the school. DC also a much bigger and greener site than Alleyns which DS really liked.

Very last minute, but we finally plumped for Dulwich this morning over Whitgift.

We were also offered Kingsdale in the State offer day, which has now put a small cat amongst the pigeons (given we have a DD in Y3), but that's another story.

Last minute for us too but we've gone for LU. Congratulations on the Kingsdale place though as that's a lottery isn't it?

We've gone for Dulwich too! We also had a very good state offer but Dulwich is where our son really wants to go and it's much closer than the state offer also. So this is great for us and we are very excited. And I for one and very relieved the uncertainty is over!
Good luck at LU @Daydreamscometrue I'm sure you feel relieved to have finally made a decision!

@MaryBoppins thank you! I'm sure your son will love Dulwich. It was a very tough decision for us.

@Daydreamscometrue congrats on making that final decision, best of luck for your son at LU.

Kingsdale is supposedly a simply lottery, with the exception of some sports and music selections. However I'm not entirely sure how they end up with over half their kids being in the higher ability bands when only 20% nationally achieve this coming through State Primary.

Also, entirely coincidentally I'm sure, those offered Kingsdale places at my son's primary were all in the 'top table' group. They did do a basic 'banding' NVR test back in December which apparently has no bearing on offers.

@WNLastX Thank you and best of luck to your son!

Any experience of attempting 11+ for v dyslexic boy into Dulwich College , Trinity or Whitgift ? My son is v dyslexic so his reading and writing v poor but his other cat scores pretty good and v sporty. Is it worthwhile applying ? Thank you

@cfox1982 all three have strong pastoral care for dyslexia and good sports program. Head to open days and chat with academic staff