Dulwich ducks vs Dulwich pre prep

[butternut3]

Hey we have shortlisted these two:
Which one is a better choice !
Super confused. Looking for a school with lots of activities, academics of course and nurturing environment.

Thanks

have you visited both? What’s your gut feeling?
are you looking at 3+ or 4+?

Both seem to have very happy kids and parents. I don’t think you can go wrong.
For me it boils down to 7+ vs 11/13+

@Icantskate hey no I haven't visited . Plan to visit in Jan, all slots are booked. after doing a lot of research and read about them here I am adding these two in my list. Looking at 4+

Currently my son goes to a montessori school in west hampstead. Location is not a problem. We will move as per school he gets through. He starts reception in 2024.

My son went to Ducks ( a few years ago now) it was an outstanding school wonderfully nurturing and at the same time with very high academic standards. My son has very happy memories of his time there.

My vote for Dulwich Prep as it’s too stressful at 7+ if you move to the area (with Ducks) and then don’t get a place at DC. 13+ gives you plenty of time to settle in, make friends and do the preparation slowly. Dulwich Prep is very good at taking the stress out of entrance prep. Please feel free to PM if you want to know more about Dulwich Prep.

Do you want DC as the follow on to DUCKs? They are offering top performing boys guaranteed entry for 7+ so if you get that offer you don't have to worry long term as the boys typically transfer from Dulwich Juniors to the senior school so you are sorted until 18.

If you are only thinking about DUCKs, its co-ed, prepares for the 7+ vs DPL which is all boys from reception and runs to 13 and is a traditional prep school vs through school.

They are so different its hard to recommend one of the other (I know people happy at both) without knowing what you are looking for.

Hey @Nongatron @DPLMom @LondonGirl83 thank you so much for the response.
I know it's difficult to compare coed to all boys !
I am planning to visit both in Jan and probably get back to you guys :)
Any insider info about which is more academics driven if rest of the factors remains same. ? I think my son would do well in a little competitive environment and always needs a little push :)

They are both academic. The intake at Dulwich Prep is broader but is very good at differentiation (based on my friend’s son’s experience) and gets boys into top flight secondary schools.

I don’t think academics are the thing to decide on. It’s really if you want a pre prep, prep or through school (which DUCKs can be if you get a deferred offer for the junior schools when you apply for reception).

As PP said, both are academic. I think your key criteria should be around exit results and the senior schools you want to target. With Ducks you will probably end up at Y3 in DC or DPL, both boys schools, so not really coed. With DPL you have a wider choice of senior schools beyond DC.

Hey great !
Thank you guys.
Just a question , since I am new to Uk education system : what's the difference between pre - prep and prep as you mentioned above .

A pre-prep is just to age 7 and prepares for the 7+ exams to private schools for entry in Year 3. DUCKs is a co-ed pre-prep that prepares children for a number of other school entrance exams including Dulwich College which it is associated with. However, as of last year, certain boys being accepted at reception in DUCKs will be offered a guaranteed place at Dulwich College at 7 if they want it and so will be able to attend single-sex Dulwich College from 7-18.

Dulwich Prep is a traditional single sex prep school that finishes at 13 and prepares boys for the 13 plus (year 9 of school) though many of the boys sit the 11 plus (year 7 of school) which is the main entry point for private day schools whereas the 13 plus is more the traditional entry point for boarding schools.

Through schools run all the way to 18 typically from primary school to the end of A-levels (some starting at 7 but increasingly at age 4). In Dulwich the main through schools are Alleyns, Dulwich College, JAGS and Sydenham.

The main prep schools are Dulwich Prep, Rosemead and Oakfield. All these prep schools start from age 3 and so incorporate nurseries but they only prepare children for secondary school exams (not the 7+ to other schools primary schools).

There are only 3 standalone pre-preps in the area that prepare for the 7 plus exams for other non-affiliated schools. These are DUCKs, Herne Hill School and the Villa.

Hey @LondonGirl83 thank you so much. Till now I thought I know about the system but this is something new and a very important info. Thank you so much for taking out time here.
Appreciate! :)

It's confusing. Dulwich is a popular though as it has a number of good private school options with different levels of selectiveness in addition to top state schools. You'd be spoilt for choice.

@LondonGirl83 hey a new question popped up in my head. Do Dulwich prep gives food to students ?

Yes they do and its included in the fees- below is a link to the catering provision.

www.dulwichpreplondon.org/our-school/catering/

I'd go for the one that offers the best chance of all through!

Yes! It’s even included in the fees unlike most other independent schools. They also used to provide breakfast for parents and boys in the canteen pre-covid, hopefully they restart that soon. They also offer snacks and mini meals during the breaks and before after school clubs. DS is stuffed full when he comes home!

@Softplayhooray I agree honestly.

The 7+ and 11+ aren't the end of the world but if you can avoid the stress and pressure associated with examinations at that age, all things being equal that would be my choice.

@butternut3 - do you have a preference for a boys school at junior/senior level? Or is the area that you prefer?
Just curious as to what made you choose these two, when you currently live in North London.
if the latter, then you may wish to consider Alleyn’s (co-Ed, 4-18y),
Rosemead
Oakfield (both co-Ed until about 11y or 13y, you’d need to double check that),
Herne Hill (co-Ed until 7y, bit like DUCK but not affiliated with a senior school)

@365sleepstogo
Hey, I shortlisted these two based on such good reviews honestly. Heard such good things about these two schools.

Of course I am considering other schools like Highgate , UCS, Habs, .. 🙂

plan is to start visiting schools early next year. There could be a chance that we may drop out a few of them after visits. I am sure not all are workable for us.

Hi @butternut3 rekindling this post….just curious to understand which one you decided in the end? We have an offer from DPS and did a late application to DUCKs and now have been given an offer there as well….both the schools have such good reviews it’s really hard to decide.