Sports @ DC and Alleyn

[edim76]

Hello!
We are staring to create a list of possible secondary schools. My DS is really not into Rugby or Football. He would much rather play basket, cricket but best of all swimming and fencing.
Would this be a problem in Dulwich College or Alleyn? Would he be able to pursue his favourite sports or would he be forced to play rugby or football?
Thanks for the help!

Both have good swimming pools and fencing gear etc but I'm less sure about the practicalities of doing this stuff instead of regular sports, in timetabled PE lessons anyway.

But luckily both schools are [luxury] private businesses, a registrar will be really responsive to any queries of this sort that you have.

Thanks puffyisgood!

DC - seem to remember that Y7 and y8 rugby is pretty compulsory in the autumn term? Fixtures right down to F squad.

More choice does come in though - rowing/cycling/fencing/badminton etc are all options and cricket/athletics in the summer term.

It is a sporty school though and participation is actively encouraged.

Alleyns - less so! their talk of inclusive sport is a farce and it's easy for non sporty kids to opt out. there is no rugby and football fixtures are very opt in. The PE lessons include rotations of a variety of different sports some of which are played co ed.

Agree the registrars are the ones who will have up to date info though.

My husband went to DC. I think they were keen to get him into rugby but he didn't care for it much.

I think like a lot of schools they rotate the sports they do in PE lessons so they get to try quite a lot. Then there are clubs and teams for those who want to do more.

My DH was much more into music than sport.

DC do have lots of other options -just think it might not be that optional in the first year or 2 - from memory.

I have a non sporty DS - had no desire to join in or play fixtures. ended up having quite a happy couple of seasons playing in the d teams. v character building!!

At DC, Rugby compulsory for Y7 and Y8, though I know a few boys who have opted out of the out-of-school-hours sport, it certainly isn't the norm. More options in Y9. Fencing is a once a week after school activity for Y7 and Y8 (not sure about older kids) and there is swimming as part of PE for about a third of the year, plus options to swim before school and during lunch for Y7 and Y8. Cant remember if it is part of a club, team or waterpolo or what though.

Thank you! We will then definitely look more closely to sports during our shortlisting process!

DC have a rowing clubhouse based out of Putney. Alleyns don't have one. Should rowing be of interest.

DC has a wide breadth of sporting options, you can try out for any sport & non sport clubs and the facilities and support is there for the boys - for example: basketball, fencing and swimming, chess, badminton, golf, science, book club, etc. The only limit is your DS's motivation as most sport is completed within an extended lunch break for extra curricular sports. There are a few clubs after school with sessions ending around 5.15pm, the late coach operates after extra curricular sports finishes.

Rugby, and next term football is trialled across all boys as an entry game fixture and teams are selected on performance, and participation encouraged no matter the ability. Sports teachers are encouraging and supportive..

DC has core strength in Rugby, tennis, swim squads & waterpolo team, likewise in summer, cricket.