Grow with Us

We are investing in our future. This progressive new chapter has become a reality thanks to investment from the Dulwich Preparatory Schools Trust, which oversees the education of students across Dulwich Prep Cranbrook and Dulwich Prep London. The significant investment in the school's future reflects confidence in the quality of education on offer and a recognition of the ability to develop the Dulwich Prep Cranbrook estate further.

With the Trust's support, we will be transforming our buildings into an inspirational space for older students, built around 21st century students' needs. We will also be recruiting a Head of Senior School, in addition to further talented teaching staff, in order to deliver a rigorous, broad and exciting GCSE curriculum model.

From the second I arrived at Dulwich, I knew it was a special place. I have often told parents that choosing a school is a little like buying a house. You have a tick list of things you are looking for, but often there is a just a feeling that it is the right place for you. Three schools have given me ‘that feeling’ over my 20-year career. Croydon High GDST, Ardingly College and now Dulwich.

This is a very exciting time in the school’s History. The new senior school, with its modern building design, personalised curriculum and tailored pastoral structure has been developed in the 2020s for the pupils of the 2020s and 2030s. Our world is undergoing rapid change. The careers our children will be entering did not all exist when we chose our career paths and some will not exist for a few years yet. Transferable skills, and a professional network, will be just as important as exam results for these pupils. So to be joining a school where everything has been designed specifically to prepare your child for their future is a huge advantage.  

I have been a Head of Early Years, a Head of Sixth Form and have taught all ages in between. And while the challenges and context of toddlers and teens may differ, some things are consistent. All pupils thrive in an environment which supports and challenges them in equal measure. All pupils perform better when they are set high expectations by staff that they trust to go the extra mile for them. And all pupils gain confidence from an environment where they can be themselves, learn to know themselves and find their element.

The school will undergo development of its buildings to create a state-of-the-art senior building, incorporating a lecture theatre, remodelled classrooms, break-out study areas and social spaces. A student café will sit at the heart of the facility, providing our older students with their own indoor and outdoor areas in which to relax between lessons.

Students will have the flexibility of remaining in school until 8.00 pm every evening, with access to tutors to support academic achievement.

The development will take place across the following two phases. Students will remain in dedicated form rooms whilst this two-stage development takes place:

Phase One: March 2023 - September 2023

Phase Two: March 2024 - September 2024

We seek to nurture lifelong learners, equipped with the skills that underpin academic excellence. All students will enjoy an immersive and dynamic curriculum designed to accelerate the development of key skills - from creative problem solving and leadership through to critical thinking and independent research.

We believe informed choice, flexibility and individuality are key ingredients in delivering academic performance. All students will be required to take the GCSEs in the subjects we consider to be the bedrock of a rigorous education: English Language and Literature, Maths and the three Sciences (Physics, Biology and Chemistry).

Beyond this, we are not going to be overly prescriptive about which GCSEs our students take and will offer genuine choice. In addition to the core academic subjects, we will offer Art (Fine Art, Textiles and Ceramics), Design & Technology, Music, Drama, Dance, Computing, PE, Latin, French, Spanish, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Philosophy and Ethics and Further Maths. Students will never have to choose between two subjects they love, instead having the freedom to study both.

Our Senior School students will also benefit from an extended opportunity to explore GCSE options before making their final choices.

Download our Curriculum Brochure

We will offer additional opportunities for both breadth and depth through our co-curricular programme, which is being developed to nurture confident, enthusiastic and compassionate people, who make a difference.

Our highly individualised co-curricular programme will enable students to select a cross-section of activities from key themes, for example academic enrichment, leadership and community, talent mastery, personal development and life skills.

Students will also be given the chance to explore a range of individual sporting opportunities such as sailing, windsurfing, rowing, climbing, cycling and triathlon, in addition to sports such as tennis and badminton.