Kingsdale Foundation School, Dulwich

[Lulu141]

Hello,

We will be moving into Dulwich soon and I’m looking at Secondary Schools for my daughter for next academic year (she’ll be moving into Year 7 then).

Kingsdale sounds a great fit. My daughter loves sport. She is dyslexic so finds academic work tough. It would amazing to have her at somewhere that champions creative areas such as sport, music and art. BUT it sounds as though it is tough to get into the school - whether that is via scholarship or not.

I’d love to know if people know more about whether postcode makes any difference at all, if anyone has any insight in what they’re looking for in those taken on for the sports scholarship (good overall sportsperson/ excelling in one sport) and any info on how they are trialled for the scholarship. Away from the sports side of things - for the Band Test (which is totally new to me) are you placed in Band A, B, C is based on academic ability? I.e. Band A are the most academic etc.

Finally, if anyone knows the approach of the school to those who may require additional support with learning (e.g. support for dyslexia).

I know I have a lot of questions. This schools seems so different to those I have come across previously so I feel I have a lot to learn!

many thanks all..

Postcode makes no difference whatsoever to getting a place.

We don't even live in London and neither do plenty of other students there.

I can't help on the Sports Scholarship front - DD has a music place. They are highly competitive though. Maybe give admissions a call and have a chat?

The banding test is NVR and is used for admissions (equal numbers from each band) and was used for setting maths in Y7 for my DD's cohort as we had no SATs due to Covid.

Sounds like a late application / in-year application situation, depending on the date of the move. The school is popular so I would be surprised if you could get a Year 7 place for September 2025 as it will likely be full from on-time admissions made by the October 24 deadline, appeals and waiting list applicants.

Ah I hadn't spotted that.

If you are applying for a place for this year, you would need to submit a late application and hope a place comes up. There is always a huge waiting list.

The sports scholarship assessments are all done in the Autumn the year before so you know the outcome before submitting the CAF.

People are obsessed with it. Unless your child gets a scholarship (it’s not fee paying, it just means you jump the queue and don’t have to go into a ballot for entry) your chances of getting in are very slim. There’s no catchment so you can get in from anywhere hence loads of applications and less chance of you winning the entry lottery.

i live in the area and to be honest have not heard great things about it. I know if people’s children managing to get in and then leaving because they didn’t feel they were getting a great education. There are better options around I think.