Dulwich college

[DearBiscuit]

Hello! Any current Dulwich parents can share their thoughts about the college? My son is joining at 13+ Thanking in advance!

I am a bit confused OP. On another post you say that your DC has an interview at UCS. Also, have you heard from Dulwich about 13+ already? Or is this a deferred offer from last year? But then why is your DC sitting 11+? Sorry, just trying to understand.

Farage is a former pupil so I'm afraid that is not a good sign at all... he's not really able to articulate himself well and has no great depth of thought...after all that expense?! But buckets of confidence of course, so it really depends what values are most important to you.

Dear Yolo12345
I don’t think one person defines the institution. If that’s the benchmark then there is no place good enough. Are you a current/former parent?
thankyou for sharing your thoughts.

Trying to make a view point on both. UCS is 11plus entry and dulwich is 13plus.

Nigel Farage aside, these two schools are very far apart geographically. Where are you based? If you are in North London, UCS is a no-brainer over Dulwich. Commuting to Dulwich from North London would be exhausting and friendships will be an issue. I wouldn’t do it for Dulwich. If you are planning to move in any case, it depends on what is a good fit for your kid. These two schools are both very good. Personally, I would take UCS over Dulwich.

Apologies, I came off as rather harsh. No, you are right, one person doesn't define the institution. Let's just say that I work in an industry that attracts young people from all walks of life of life. Some of the attitudes and entitlement I have encountered from former students of said College may have influenced my thoughts. I was very surprised by their notions about the UK, Ireland and Europe, in general. It does make one wonder what they are teaching them there...a lack of broad geography perhaps or just a striking lack of critical thought.

They're losing a chunk of students due to vat so resorting to international intakes - these independent schools are very different from back in our days

Forgot to add - there's quite a few that have joined who's first choice was grammar but was unsuccessful

And to counter @Yolo12345 , I was at uni with a couple of delightful young men who went to this school, both of whom marched against Brexit.

Glad to hear that @SheilaFentiman I've probably been unlucky then

The intake of international students and the decision to open Dulwich international schools in China, South Korea and Singapore, would be of concern to me. It is clearly driven by finances, the VAT, and the diminishing appeal domestically of the concept of a traditional English 'public school'. No doubt boys can have a wonderful time there. But if you are a Londoner, I am not sure whether it is a good investment these days, precisely because these traditional public schools are not what they used be.

Has Dulwich only just opened an international school? a number of schools have done this in the past, well before VAT.

ds was a pupil - not there currently but thought would report that we would make the same decision again.

it's a very down to earth school with lots of different sports and clubs available. so our STEM non sporty son found his niche as did all the arty and sporty boys.

the boarders tend to be mainly from overseas - but they are a minority in the school.

it may have changed, but the academic standards were always very high with a large no of Oxbridge offers each year - not sure about the comment about a large no being grammar school rejects - that certainly never used to be the case.

I have two DSs at the school and they both love it. There's a huge range of activities and opportunities to suit any child. My boys are quite different in their strengths and interests but both adore the clubs, sports and academic stretch. There's a lovely sense of history to the place but it is very down-to-earth feeling and not remotely exclusive. As a family, we are definitely not in the 'money is not object' camp and the fees are a stretch but we have no regrets at all.

The international schools have been open for some time, including some locations that have been open for over twenty years. They are owned by foreign private equity.

Other British schools with international branches in Singapore (and other locations in Asia and the Middle East) include NLCS, Brighton College and The Perse School.