Dulwich College

user7595 · 2025-04-07T11:53:43+00:00

We are looking at Dulwich College for our son to start in year 9 as a full boarder but is currently in a non British education system (speaks some English). Does anyone know the proportion of international students and if there are many that start in year 9 that don’t speak much English (only some)

HawaiiWake · 07/04/2025 13:28

Do you have an offer? Need to pass entry exams, so English required to a high level.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 07/04/2025 13:33

I can't imagine they will have any students who can't speak and write very fluently as it's selective entry and they will need to not only pass the entrance exams but also keep up with the work once they start.

They will have some students who are EAL.

I don't think you will find any mainstream selective independent that caters for those who aren't pretty much mother-tongue standard.

The children will be sitting major public exams in the early summer of Y11, so there isn't really time to catch children up in that way.

PlanetOtter · 07/04/2025 16:20

The proportion of boarders who have family overseas is quite high - I’d say a third? Based on anecdotes from lower down the school, not data!

But it is very selective, it will need great English not some English. There will be lots of boarding schools (out of London) which are more set up for international students - and possibly more keen for bums on seats so less fussed about the likelihood of top grades.

sourdoughpickle · 07/04/2025 17:12

PlanetOtter · 07/04/2025 16:20

The proportion of boarders who have family overseas is quite high - I’d say a third? Based on anecdotes from lower down the school, not data!

But it is very selective, it will need great English not some English. There will be lots of boarding schools (out of London) which are more set up for international students - and possibly more keen for bums on seats so less fussed about the likelihood of top grades.

Are you sure it's "very selective" though? I know of a few that were unsuccessful with their 11+ so opted DC instead. Having said that English is their native language and I'd also say even if a child with limited English got in for any reason they would massively struggle starting in year 9.

sharkanado · 07/04/2025 17:13

Are you sure it's "very selective" though? I know of a few that were unsuccessful with their 11+ so opted DC instead.

Same but I think it's more the grammars are insanely selective!

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 07/04/2025 18:00

https://www.dulwich.org.uk/admissions/year-9-entry

English, Maths and online reasoning tests.

Then an interview.

They take 125 kids in Y7 with 70 of those coming from the prep school. Then add another 90 in Y9.

They only have 30 places available for new Y8 applicants as they pre-test and make offers to Y6 students for the other 60.

It's probably on a par with somewhere like Whitgift, but not SPGS or Westminster level selective. Either way, it's not an any bum on a seat will do type school.

91.7% of GCSEs at 7-9 grades, and 46% at grade 9.

Year 9 entry - Admissions - Dulwich College

Each academic year around 90 boys join the Middle School into Year 9 (13+). In addition, 125 boys join the year group from our Lower School, making a total of around 215 boys.

https://www.dulwich.org.uk/admissions/year-9-entry

Cabbagefamily · 07/04/2025 19:07

Dulwich College has an EAL department and will be used to supporting pupils with limited English. There are around 60 boarders in need of EAL support, most arriving in Y12. Your best bet is to contact the school directly and ask about the level of English needed.

expat321 · 07/04/2025 19:10

Cabbagefamily · 07/04/2025 19:07

Dulwich College has an EAL department and will be used to supporting pupils with limited English. There are around 60 boarders in need of EAL support, most arriving in Y12. Your best bet is to contact the school directly and ask about the level of English needed.

Edited

Was going to say this.

Their EAL dept is big. Your son will need competent English but will be supported by EAL.

Original poster

user7595 · 09/04/2025 11:12

Thanks all for the info, much appreciated.

@Cabbagefamily
you mentioned most international students arrive in Y12. Does that mean there’s not many in Y9 and are most of them day boys as opposed to boarders?

OP posts:

Cabbagefamily · 09/04/2025 22:32

user7595 · 09/04/2025 11:12

Thanks all for the info, much appreciated.

@Cabbagefamily
you mentioned most international students arrive in Y12. Does that mean there’s not many in Y9 and are most of them day boys as opposed to boarders?

I don’t know. But be careful not to conflate international students with those in need of EAL support. Some international students won’t need EAL support, eg, Americans.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 10/04/2025 10:00

user7595 · 09/04/2025 11:12

Thanks all for the info, much appreciated.

@Cabbagefamily
you mentioned most international students arrive in Y12. Does that mean there’s not many in Y9 and are most of them day boys as opposed to boarders?

You also need to check what subjects those Y12 international students with EAL are studying.

If the EAL students are all coming over to do A Level Maths, Further Maths and Physics, they are going to need significantly fewer English language skills than a Y9 student studying the full set of GCSE subjects.

Original poster

user7595 · 15/04/2025 20:07

Just came back to say thank you. Lots to think about - including whether we should let him stay where he is now, work on English and come back in the sixth form to do A levels (aiming for stem subjects)

OP posts: