Alleyn's, Trinity, St. Dunstan's

[SELondonFamily1]

We are currently deciding between Alleyn's or Trinity on full fees or St. Dunstan's with a fee reduction of 25%. Due to the original price differences, it makes the final price for the Alleyn's to be 60% more than the final price for St. D's (32k vs. £20k roughly for 2025/26). The commute is roughly the same for each.

The price difference is an important factor for us. We also recognise the reputation and league table angles.

What would you do?
Can anyone tell me what the typical additional costs (trips, equipment in particular) are for schools like this?
If you had a similar situation, how did it turn out for you?

Wishing all the best to parents in a similar situation!

Honestly I would take St D’s with that much of a difference. We had a similar conundrum with the top school for my DD being in the end £17k more than one of the other schools once scholarships etc were taken into account.

Both of the schools get good results, are a good fit etc, however I just didn’t see £17k worth of extra value being provided and would rather just save that extra money for uni / house deposit / life etc. Also with yearly rises that gap could widen a lot between now and end of schooling.

League tables are great but in 5 years some schools can rapidly rise (or fall) and while Alleyn’s is consistently up there - St D’s seem to be on the up? There is also the opportunity to move at A level as well to a more academic school as well.

We are still stuck between the two options but we will decide today.
Thank you for your feedback, it's been a tough couple of weeks weighing up the options. Anyone else has a view for us?

Personally I don’t really rate StDs. They offer scholarships where others don’t because it is much less high achieving. For some kids that will be fine, and for others not so much. Disclaimer, my child is at Trinity. For all schools, you need to look at the environment and try to make your best decision. There will be positive and negative experiences at all schools too. Make your best decision and ideally be willing to change your mind (if it isn’t working for your child).

St D’s is on a mission to out-Dulwich the Dulwich schools, I believe it’s sixth form entry requirements are tougher than some of the Dulwich schools.. It also feels like a boys school that has some girls in it.
So if you have a very bright motivated boy it’s probably a good choice.