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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

DUCKS or Dulwich Prep London?

16 replies

EmpyreanIsles · 31/01/2020 17:53

Any strong views on one versus the other? We have an able all-rounder and they are both great schools so any experiences and/or insider insights would be welcome to help us choose between the two. Thank you!

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ridinghighinapril · 31/01/2020 18:03

For a boy, I presume? Dulwich Prep, no contest, not least because you won't need to do the 7+

ridinghighinapril · 31/01/2020 18:05

My caveat to that being I have no personal experience of DUCKS and have loved DPL so far (nursery to Y2).

Original poster

EmpyreanIsles · 31/01/2020 18:38

Yes, for a boy. I actually love both schools and I think he would thrive in either of them. I suppose the 7+ is the sticking point. Does DUCKS have any advantage in terms of moving on to Dulwich College or Alleyns? Is it possible to avoid being caught up in 7+ madness or do the school really push even if you are trying to keep a calm approach. I want him to reach his potential but I don’t want anxiety or over the top pressure at such a young age. I was thinking that at 7 it is easier to identify the best fit for them to move on to and that could be an advantage. They both seem lovely and nurturing so the only thing I can see to pick between them is the 7+. Am I mad not to be worried and trying to avoid it?

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LondonGirl83 · 31/01/2020 18:38

I'd go with Dulwich Prep as well.

Unless Dulwich College is the only school you'd ever want, Dulwich Prep allows you to keep your options open until you know what would best suit your son when he is older. They send boys regularly to top schools like Westminster in addition to Dulwich College and less academic schools like Royal Russell.

Dozer · 31/01/2020 18:41

London, so will be v high 7+ madness. Imagine a pre-prep would - by its name! - prep for the 7+ (and probably share stats on entries gained etc) and the one wanting most DC to continue to year 3 and onwards in their school wouldn’t.

Original poster

EmpyreanIsles · 31/01/2020 18:55

I appreciate that I probably sound quite naive. It isn’t that I am unfamiliar with the 7+ hysteria but like a lot of things knowing about it and actually having experience of going through it are quite different. Obviously it is far too early days to try to predict where would be suitable in the long term but I figured either school would prepare him to be the best he can be and get into wherever suits whether that is a more accessible or a more competitive school. I guess the problem arises if they are in a relative trough rather than a relative peak moment in their development which I suppose isn’t such a concern by the time they reach 11 or 13 as they will have found their level.

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Original poster

EmpyreanIsles · 31/01/2020 18:58

Does anyone know how far afield pupils tend to come from? I get the impression that most are fairly local but I could be wrong.

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DPLMom · 31/01/2020 20:42

All DUCKS kids are guaranteed an interview at Dulwich College 7+ but there’s no guarantee of getting in. I know a child from DUCKS who has done very well this year at the 7+ getting multiple offers from top schools, and I know a child with no offers and parents struggling to find just any school. Overall, most kids end up at Dulwich College.

The far better option IMO is Dulwich Prep which takes you to 11+ or 13+ when you know what your child is really like. My DS is very happy there and after attending Open Days at some top ranked senior schools, we realise how lucky he is with the facilities and academics at DPL.

Original poster

EmpyreanIsles · 31/01/2020 21:23

Oh goodness. Thank you for all the responses so far. I think the school day starts slightly later at DUCKS which would help with the dropping off logistics as my daughter is at a different school and I had been leaning that way but I can’t ignore all the good points about 7+ v 11+. DPL evidently has some happy parents and it is clearly a fantastic school. I guess there is no wrong choice here, rather it’s a question of which is the most “right”.

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Macaroons · 02/02/2020 21:36

In a way I think the 7+ isn't as stressful as the 11+. My son just sat 7+ and he didn't seem too bothered by the assessments and the preparation (Maths / English / reasoning exercises). However, I imagine he'd be more stressed by the 11+ as he'd be more aware of the assessments, and the expectation of a 10/11 year old is also a lot higher.

Just my thoughts - my son hasn't been through 11+ yet, and I'm hoping by picking an all-through school we don't have to go through the stress at 11+.

Original poster

EmpyreanIsles · 03/02/2020 11:11

Thank you, Macaroons for replying. Does anyone know if many children willingly do the 7+ from Dulwich Prep? Or if it is frowned up to try? This thread is swaying me but the 7+ doesn’t really worry me, maybe it should! Having said that there might be a lot to be said for certainty and stability.

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Notmynom · 03/02/2020 14:35

Another vote for DPL from me. DS could not be happier there and has had such a huge range of opportunities and experiences both in and out of the class room. The school has supported him very well through the 13+ process and he got offers for all of our top choice senior schools.

It really is a wonderful school.

DPLMom · 03/02/2020 14:40

Yes, some do sit for Westminster, SPJ etc. at 7+, but parents generally prefer to try those same schools at 13+ because of demonstrated success getting big numbers in at that stage and also to avoid a long commute for young kids. You can absolutely sit for them though.

No one sits Dulwich College because the only intake from DPL into Dulwich College is at 13+.

ridinghighinapril · 03/02/2020 15:11

No one sits Dulwich College because the only intake from DPL into Dulwich College is at 13+.

Not true @DPLMom

PenguindreamsofDraco · 04/02/2020 11:00

There was (at least rumoured to be) something of a gentlemen's agreement that DC wouldn't take DPL boys at 11, though. Presumably that won't survive the switch from 13+ exams to 11+ across London though.

And yes, a very happy DPL parent here too

Original poster

EmpyreanIsles · 04/02/2020 12:10

I had heard that too, Penguin but I think I heard it on here so I’m not sure how reliable that is.

Thank you to to everyone who has replied. I have made my choice although I hope you will understand if I don’t share it publicly. They are both amazing schools and I think either one would work so it was stupidly difficult.

I have to say that Viki Cryer and Emma Millett in Admissions in both schools are so warm and kind and that made it even more difficult to have to choose one over the other. Both places have the most lovely staff and in the end the people are what make a school really great.

I have to laugh at my opening post describing a 2/3 year old as an “able all-rounder” which is a slightly daft description of someone so young. I had put the question to a friend and she said “ask Mumsnet” so I fired out the OP quickly while making dinner in the hope that someone might reply on their commute home. So thank you to everyone who took the time. By all means keep debating but I have made up my mind and what a relief that is.

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