What it’s like
Founded in 1619 by Edward Alleyn, the Elizabethan actor-manager, as his College of God’s Gift at Dulwich. In 1857 Alleyn’s College was reconstituted by Parliament – the upper part was known as Dulwich College and moved in 1870 to its present site. It has very handsome, patrician buildings (designed by Charles Barry the younger) on a big expanse of playing fields; extensive building programmes have provided excellent facilities. Religious studies forms part of the curriculum and there are daily assemblies. Academic studies are well run by a large and well-qualified staff who consistently produce excellent examination results. Music plays an important part in the life of the school. A 250-strong choir undertakes major works and there are several orchestras and smaller groups. Drama involves a large number of pupils in numerous productions and the art school produces work of a high order. The design and technology centre has workshops for engineering, boatbuilding and cabinet making. A wide variety of sports and games is available; standards are high and there have been many representatives at county, regional and national level. Scouting is strong and there is also a CCF contingent and a voluntary service unit. About 50 clubs and societies form the College Union.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 7–18; 1450 boys (1340 day, 110 boarding). Senior department 11–18, 1250 boys.
Entrance: Main entry ages 7, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade B (including English and 3 A-level subjects). No special skills required other than the potential to gain from what the school offers; no religious requirements (wide religious and ethnic mix). 60% of intake at 11 from state schools (few at 13).

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 39 pa scholarships, value £1000–33% fees (may be increased if financial need): 34 academic, 1 art, 1 design & technology and 3 music (20 at 11, 13 at 13, 5 at 16, and 2 at other ages). 15 bursaries, at 11 and 13. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; extras vary widely – often zero.

Parents 65+% in industry or commerce. 85+% live within 30 miles; up to 10% live overseas.

Head & staff
Master: Graham G Able, in post from 1997. Educated at Worksop and Cambridge University (natural sciences). Previously Headmaster of Hampton, Second Master of Barnard Castle and Housemaster at Sutton Valence. Currently Chairman of HMC and its Academic Policy Sub-Committee, and member of ISJC Assisted Places Committee.
Teaching staff: 120 full time, 6 part time. Annual turnover approx 5%. Average age approx 40.

Exam results
GCSE: On average,172 pupils in upper fifth: 92% gained at least grade C in 9+ subjects; 7% in 5–8 subjects. Average GCSE score 66 (67 over 5 years).
A-levels: 190 in upper sixth: 22% passed in 4+ subjects; 73% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 404.

University & college entrance 95% of sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course, 17% to Oxbridge, 3% to universities overseas. 6% took courses in medicine, dentistry and osteopathy, 29% in science & engineering, 63% in humanities & social sciences, 2% in art & design. Others typically go straight into careers (City, armed services, family business).

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 27 examination subjects offered.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, AS-level general studies offered. Key skills integrated into general studies and other subjects.
Vocational: Work experience available.
Special provision: Support tuition for pupils with learning difficulties (eg dyslexia); EAL teaching (mainly for overseas entrants at 16+). Some partially sighted and profoundly deaf boys have recently progressed well through the school.
Languages: French, German, Italian, Spanish, Latin and Greek offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular study visits abroad (France, Germany, Italy and Spain).
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (1–2 lessons/week in Years 3–9) and across the curriculum, eg maths, modern languages, science and geography. ICT AS and A-level offered. 200 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day, 24 for boarders), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts
Music: Over 20% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 17 musical groups including 2 full orchestras, 2 brass groups, 2 wind bands, 3 choirs, chamber orchestra, big band.
Drama: Drama offered. Many are involved in school and house productions.
Art & design: On average, 70 take GCSE, 10 A-level; AS-level history of art also offered.

Sport & activities
Sport: Curriculum sports are rugby, hockey, soccer, cricket, swimming. Optional: athletics, tennis, badminton, squash, cross-country, basketball, fencing, riding, rowing, shooting, golf, weight training, martial arts, lifesaving. RLSS exams may be taken. National rugby, hockey and basketball players; regional and county players in rugby, hockey, basketball; cross-country team has been London champion; 2 athletes national schools champions.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. CCF and community service optional. Scout group (3 troops and venture unit), 16 Queen’s Scouts in past 5 years. Up to 30 clubs, eg computers, debating, mathematics, political (prominent politicians often invited to speak), rocketry (twice termly firings).

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. School captain and senior prefects appointed by the Master with advice from pupils and staff.
Religion: There are daily assemblies and regular celebrations of Eucharist for Anglicans and of Mass for Roman Catholics; visiting Hindu, Jewish and Moslem ministers assist in frequent denominational services.
Social: Drama, music, joint society meetings, lectures, shared classes in certain minority subjects with sister school (JAGS). Regular holiday visits abroad (educational and recreational) and language exchanges; rugby, hockey, cricket tours. Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework receive detentions. Aim is for discipline that is firm and fair.

Boarding All upper school boarders have own study bedroom (en suite); younger boarders in dormitories of 6+. Junior house (age 11–15), two senior houses. Resident nursing; local GP on call. Limited cooking facilities for senior pupils for supplementary foods. Half-term (2 weeks in October, 5 days in other terms) plus 2 weekend exeats each term; weekly boarding is popular. Visits to the local shops and to London allowed, with permission and at the discretion of house master.

Alumni association is run by C W Field, Secretary of the Alleyn Club, c/o Dulwich College.

Former pupils P G Wodehouse; A E W Mason; Trevor Bailey; Raymond Chandler; Sir Ernest Shackleton; Sir Harold Hartley; Gordon Jacob; 5 First World War VCs; 3 Second World War VCs; Booker prize winners Michael Ondaatje and Graham Swift, Sir Edward George.