The Middle School at Dulwich College
Introduction
I am delighted that we have been able to offer your son a place at Dulwich College for this coming September. I hope this booklet will give both you and your son a flavour of life in the Middle School at the College, and that it serves to confirm and enhance your experience of the College - a school where the pupils are happy, busy and academically fulfilled. The Middle School years (Years 9-11) are so important when it comes to personal growth and identity. As pupils enter into this key stage of their lives, they will be supported by a strong pastoral network that will ensure pupils feel comfortable in their school setting and are ready to explore who it is they are, and who it is they want to become. We strive to deliver a demanding yet interesting curriculum, which gives the pupils a chance to think deeply about the world that surrounds them. They will learn to listen to diverse views, knowing that we often learn the most from listening to and engaging with those with whom we think we have least in common. We help pupils develop outside the classroom, encouraging them to partake fully in the wide variety of co-curricular activities on offer at the College. But most importantly, we make sure that every pupil feels safe, secure and supported, so that they can learn to the very best of their ability. I look forward to meeting you and your son over the coming months, be it at College concerts, plays, sporting fixtures or around the campus and helping him become the best version of himself possible as he moves through the College. Having joined the College in Year 9, some twenty five years ago, I know first-hand how wonderful the Middle School years are, and am committed to giving your son the very best experience possible during his time in the Middle School.
Sameer Tanna Head of Middle School
Independent School of the Year 2022 for Contribution to Social Mobility
Curriculum and Scholarship
“The Scholars’ Programme is a good brain work-out.”
Structure of Year 9
Year 9 is the last year in which pupils study all subjects. This includes English, Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Physics,Religion and Theology, History, Geography, Drama (including Dance), Games, PE, two languages, Computing, Music, Art, and Design and Technology. • In Year 10, pupils embark on their IGCSEs (or GCSEs for a few remaining subjects). Most subjects are now IGCSE, including most languages and the sciences. • For IGCSE all pupils must study English Language and Literature, Mathematics, a Language and Physics, Chemistry and Biology (double or triple award). • Pupils then choose three more subjects from an options list that includes History,Geography, Art, Music, Drama, PE, Computer Science, German, Greek, Latin, Spanish, French, D&T and R&T. There are also co-curricular lessons in Arabic and Japanese open to Middle School pupils. Pupils will study a total of 10 GCSEs, although a number of ‘native’ speakers will sit an additional GCSE.
A key part of Year 9 at Dulwich College is helping pupils to feel settled and confident about being both at the College generally, and specifically in the Middle School. To that end, we: • mix the 100 pupils who join the College in Year 9 with the 120 pupils who come up from our Lower School in order that each form has around one third new pupils and two thirds Lower School pupils; • timetable the pupils so that most subjects are taught by form. The pupils will get to know each other well, and, through following a common timetable, travel round the school together; • keep the pupils co-located in one block during Year 9. This helps the pupils foster a sense of identity as soon as they arrive, as well as develop friendships quickly.
Helping Pupils Settle
All parents are sent information about the College prior to their son’s arrival here, including details of: • Friday 1 September 2023 – Induction Afternoon After a talk by Mr Tanna and the Head of Year 9, pupils have lunch with their tutors, visit their form rooms and have a tour round the College; • Monday 4 September 2023 – Start of Michaelmas Term ; • Monday 12 September 2022 – Team Building Day and Barbeque All Year 9 pupils take part in a range of activities, helping them get to know the other pupils in their Day House; • Wednesday 13 September 2023 – a Social Evening for parents with an opportunity to meet their son’s Form Tutor and Head of Year 9, as well as the other parents from their son’s form; • Upper School Mentors or Buddies to give pupils an opportunity to chat to an Alleynian who has come up through the Middle School.
“I have really enjoyed the experience of the Middle School and the transition period has been smooth and trouble free.”
“I have really settled in well at the College, thanks to friends and teachers alike. The level of care is superb.”
Wodehouse Library
At the heart of the College is the Wodehouse Library, specifically for Years 9-13. Last term 5,000 items were loaned to pupils, making it a vibrant place which attracts, on average, over 800 visits every day. Pupil Librarians assist in the operation of the Libraries; giving them useful skills. They can visit the College Archive which contains an extensive rare book library and historical material relating to the founding of the College.
Pastoral Care
Form Tutors are there to support, guide, engage with and encourage their tutees, and will often be in close contact with a pupil’s parents. Pupils will have one Form Tutor in Year 9, and another for their two years of GCSE. Each form has approximately 22 pupils, and the Tutor will usually teach the pupils one of their subjects. There is also a Year Head who is in overall charge of all the pupils in any one year group.
“I like the amazing library, especially the periodicals room.”
We have a Dancer in Residence and hold the world’s most important collection of papers relating to the Jacobean Theatre...
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Drama and Dance
We are a school for Creative Minds...
An appreciation of all things theatrical is part of the Dulwich DNA. Echoing the spirit of their South London ancestors, Middle School boys seize every opportunity to get involved in productions, House competitions and theatre trips. Drama is a popular subject for pupils at GCSE and A Level. All pupils have a Drama lesson in Year 9, taught as a form throughout the year, which includes dance theatre skills introduced by our LABAN trained Dancer in Residence. Our own, fully equipped, purpose-built theatre is always a hive of activity where practical performance skills as well as techniques associated with production design and stage management are taught. All boys are expected to be confident with basic stagecraft and theatre terminology as well as have a sound grasp of performance analysis. Many pupils take LAMDA courses with specialist teachers, and there are fantastic opportunities for boys to develop their interest in the theatre through joint productions with JAGS, occasional workshops with
visiting Theatre professionals, and by experiencing Live and Digital theatre productions. The weekly Bear Pit club for Year 9 aspiring actors nurtures different approaches to performing, directing and realization of text. Recent productions include an epic reinvention of Golding’s Lord of the Flies, a dazzling adaption of Wilde’s Dorian Gray and a contemporary re-working of the fabled story of Everyman . In the special Dulwich 400 year, pupils in Year 10 and 11 were at the heart of the Olympiad production of Faustus at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and in 2021, Year 9 pupils staged a glorious open-air promenade creating vignettes with a refreshing reinvention of Shakespearean characters and narratives. Last year the phenomenal one-man show Wolf was staged in the Edward Alleyn Theatre for the whole of Year 9, epic storytelling playing homage to film noir tropes with actor Lewis Doherty bringing to life a hilarious adventure across a cyber-punk landscape and Dulwich and JAGS pupils once again collaborated to conjure a splashy Mad-Men style satirical scratch production inspired by the musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”.
Art and Design and Technology
Both these subjects encourage the boys to think creatively and work independently, so they are prepared to take a GCSE in one or both subjects. In Art you will learn how to work independently in a multitude of media and will discover there is never only one answer. The answer cannot be found in a worksheet, cannot be downloaded, will not be found in past papers, will only exist because you want it to exist .
In D&T you will learn how to shape, bend and finish a mix of materials with various workshop hand tools and machinery. You will be introduced to virtual 3D modelling via our CAD package ‘Autodesk Inventor’ and learn to use the laser cutters. You will build a portable microcomputer from scratch and program it so that you can control a Lego buggy. We support the idea that while many of our pupils will go on to Art Colleges, Design courses and Architecture, what we want our pupils to do is use the subject to learn skills that are transferable in a wide range of professions, to make them ready in an ever-changing world, to prepare them to challenge, change and to be prepared to never stop learning.
“The arts define our culture our identity and our national conversation.” Sir Peter Bazalgette OA
“It is essential to push and challenge students beyond any preconceived ideas of what it means to ‘do art’; digital-media, plaster and cement casting as well as experimental film are all skills that Alleynians can explore.”
“I’m still on a high from the creativity and talent that abounds in the Edward Alleyn Theatre; it oozes from every nook and cranny and every person connected to it” Lesley Sharp (BAFTA and Olivier nominated Best Actress and winner of Screen Actors Guild and British Television Society Awards)
Over 700 individual music lessons are taught each week and there are over 43 different musical ensembles...
Music
A comprehensive range of musical opportunities are available to all the pupils. Some 700 individual music lessons are given on a weekly basis and most pupils who take instrumental and/or singing lessons perform in at least one of the 43 different musical ensembles. These are very varied and include a Symphony Orchestra, Chapel Choir, Big Band, Percussion Ensemble, the Brass Consort, Symphonic Wind Band and numerous Chamber ensembles. A programme of concerts, masterclasses and competitions is organised on a two-year cycle with annual House Music Competitions, Instrumental and Singing Competitions, and a Composition Competition. About 80 pupils hold Music Awards and facilities for Music include a sound-proofed “Pod” for the Jazz and Rock bands as well as Percussion and Apple Mac suites.
“I loved singing in the part-song competition; the song we chose was beautiful.”
You can play over 19 different sports...
Sport
On entering the College, pupils will find they are at the heart of the Games and PE programmes. Our aim is to unlock every pupil’s potential through exposure to a range of experiences and opportunities, and increase their understanding of why physical activity plays such an important role in their development as people. From Year 9 pupils are able to choose from a number of options, such as rugby, hockey, rowing and cross country. These options increase as pupils progress through the College. The programme is supported by a wide range of fixtures, providing numerous opportunities for pupils of varying abilities to represent the College. In addition, pupils have a timetabled PE programme running through the Middle School. This helps give pupils an understanding of how their bodies work, setting physical goals to keep them motivated and improving their knowledge of training methods. There are also further opportunities for pupils to participate in a wide range of sporting activities as part of the co-curricular programme, such as badminton, track cycling, basketball and water polo. All pupils in Year 9 are encouraged to get involved. We recognise that sport has a positive impact on our pupils’ well-being, provides opportunities to develop socially, and can be a welcome change in focus from academic endeavours. Our goal is to provide a high-quality sporting experience leading to a lifetime involvement in some form of physical activity.
“I have enjoyed the skills of precision, teamwork and endurance that rowing has brought.”
There are over 60 languages spoken in the Dulwich Community...
Diversity and Inclusion
This is indicative of not only the linguistic diversity that you will find at the College, but also reflective of the inclusive community that we have established here over many years. Here at Dulwich College we have a specific commitment to anti-racism and colour consciousness, and we are building a school of equality where every pupil feels they have a place and where their skills, talents and contributions are recognised. With a focus on Race and Ethnicity, Gender Allyship and LGBTQ+, we are undertaking a variety of actions as part of our commitment to equality in areas of Curriculum development and wider learning, counselling and mentoring. Our Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) leaders host a pupil and staff Diversity and Inclusion Alliance that meets regularly to monitor and facilitate progress, ensuring opportunities are created and taken up across the College. The richness of diversity and inclusion benefits all and everyone is invited to join our conversation to be a positive agent of change.
You will join a community that understands social responsibility and seeks to place service to others at its heart... Our College-wide Service Engagement aims to raise awareness and promote involvement. Pupils get involved in two primary ways:
Community Action
Over 200 pupils volunteer for an hour a week during term time in more than 15 local placements offering 40+ separate opportunities including: • education (mentoring and supporting at local primary schools) • social (supporting the work of local care homes and food banks) • environmental (including park and garden projects) Volunteering plays an important role in personal development and holistic education and forges important links with our wider community. It can also contribute to the Duke of Edinburgh Award. In Year 9 pupils can volunteer at either DUCKS or Junior School. This prepares pupils for our external opportunities which start in Year 10.
Boys and girls learn together.. .
Co-educational Opportunities
We are proud of the genuine breadth and depth of opportunity for pupil involvement that is offered by our co-curricular provision, which allows all pupils – be they novices, amateurs or elite performers – to enjoy a range of sporting, cultural, charitable and adventurous activities. Our pupils enjoy the benefits of a single-sex education with the opportunity of learning in a co-educational environment through a range of shared initiatives with local schools. There is a rich programme of activities with James Allen’s Girls’ School, shaped by Prefects. Pupils collaborate regularly on academic matters at, for example, Free Learning days, where charity and service often provide the source of inspiration, and these events are complemented by joint co-curricular activities, such as the Combined Cadet Force in Year 9; a variety of music concerts; drama productions; and fundraising events. A diverse range of year-round events, across a number of disciplines, is also offered with our partner schools as part of the Southwark Schools’ Learning Partnerships, affording pupils further opportunities to meet others from across the borough and beyond. All our ventures are underpinned by a strong pastoral emphasis, where there is a focus on the positive interactions between the pupils, and the friendships which ensue.
Charity
We have charity committees in each School which determine the most appropriate and effective means of promoting our aims; pupils are encouraged to apply to be involved in the committee as well as learning about and supporting the charitable initiatives and differing means of prompting awareness. Thousands of pounds are raised annually for these good causes.
You’ll have myriad opportunities to forge lifelong friendships...
There are more than 40 apple trees in the Orchard...
Boarding
The House system
The buildings of Old Blew and The Orchard are home to approximately 60 pupils, with a healthy mixture of weekly and full boarders. As there is no formal Saturday school, weekly boarding can be exactly that; Monday to Friday. For those who are full boarders, there is a weekend programme of visits and activities. Old Blew and The Orchard has a great family feel to it and has the benefit of a home with fantastic facilities that are ideally suited for pupils as they develop physically and intellectually.
The House system is a very important feature of life in the Middle School. Its aim is to provide a structured format that encourages the personal and social development of pupils through competition activities and sporting events. There are eight Houses, each of which has a Housemaster responsible for encouraging pupils to get involved in the House competitions. Pupils are expected to attend House meetings which take place on a fortnightly basis. Each House elects its own House Captain and colours are awarded to pupils who make a particular contribution during their time in the Middle School.
Uniform, but not as you know it – there are over 85 different ties to wear with pride...
Ties
You can climb mountains and fly planes...
The College colours are black and blue, and these are used on the standard College tie. Pupils, however, can be awarded ties for contributions to activities, such as sport, music or drama, as well as being awarded a tie by the various societies in the College. Collecting a range of such ties is very popular with many pupils and they are worn with pride.
Outward Bound Dulwich
The College has its own Scout Group, which includes two Troops and an Explorer Unit. It currently has 135 boys and girls and is open to boys and girls from Year 6, including children from other schools. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered by the College from Year 10. There are 250 pupils across Years 10 and 11 completing the Silver Award. In the Upper School, around 80 pupils are currently working towards their Gold Award. Expeditions are currently planned for the New Forest and the Vercors in the French Alps. We also regularly visit the English Lake District. From Year 9 pupils can also join the CCF, Combined Cadet Force; we have a Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force section. The Army section is affiliated to the Welsh Guards. Around 200 boys and girls (from JAGS) are in the CCF and take part in a wide variety of activities which include sailing, flying, leadership and fieldcraft. Along with the many camps and courses on offer, the CCF also run an Arctic Survival Expedition to North Sweden, which takes place at the beginning of the Easter holidays.
“I love being part of a big, internationally-diverse family.”
“One of my favourite things is the amount of ties on offer; this allows pupils to express themselves and show what they enjoy doing.”
You can join over 60 different clubs and societies...
The Union
The Union is the umbrella organisation which oversees the running of all the College’s Clubs and Societies from Year 9 and above, and for many of the pupils this is an exciting opportunity to get involved in a range of activities, some of which are academic, such as Geography, Economics and BioMed societies; and others simply fun, such as Warhammer, Dismantling and Football Debating societies. There are also societies that teach pupils skills or knowledge that are beyond their normal curriculum, such as Engineers’ club, Coding and Debating societies, or to raise awareness of current topics in today’s world, such as Climate Change, LGBTQ+ and African & Caribbean societies. There are currently 60 active societies at the College, most meeting at lunchtimes, and some after school. There is a real opportunity for pupils to find others who share an interest and grow friendships here at the College.
“The Union of Societies has enabled me to follow my passions and develop new skills, as well as making friends with those who share common interests.”
You will be joining a network of over 10,000 Old Alleynians...
Careers and the Upper School
All pupils receive careers education throughout their Middle School years. This is formalised with aptitude and interest testing at the end of Year 10, which is then revisited during lessons in Wellbeing and individual interviews with external Careers Advisers at the start of Year 11. This helps pupils to select the right A levels and be aware of the implications for Higher Education courses and beyond. In the Upper School, pupils at Dulwich can choose any combination of A level subjects and all receive individual careers guidance. The Careers Department run the Professional Insight Programme to help pupils learn careers research skills and how to secure insight visits in a wide range of careers areas. Weekly careers newsletters highlight activities, events and competitions that will allow pupils to independently explore areas of career or subject interest. We also host an annual Courses and Careers Convention for all students in Year 11 and above, along with sector-specific networking evenings. On leaving the College, pupils join a network of some 10,000 Old Alleynians, many of whom stay in close touch with the College and are keen to support the current generation of Alleynians.
You will be joining a school that is the perfect blend of the modern and the traditional...
The Campus
Located only 12 minutes from London Victoria, we are lucky to benefit from 75 acres of grounds and surrounded by even more open space in terms of other playing fields, parks, allotments, woods and a golf course. The size and openness of the College allows pupils the space to grow up both literally and metaphorically. At the centre of the campus are the iconic Grade II Barry Buildings, which are 150 years old and provide a strong sense of the College’s history, even back to its foundation in 1619. Many pupils are very proud of the traditions of the College, and enjoy aiming for their Full Colours blazer as recognition for their service to the College. The Laboratory and its auditorium for visiting speakers and events, brings together the twin cultures of Sciences and the Arts, and is home to alumni Sir Ernest Shackleton’s lifeboat, James Caird . The Laboratory, a home for Science and a venue for the Arts, was the winner of the RIBA London Award 2017.
Dulwich College. A school and a community.
DULWICH COLLEGE Dulwich Common, London, SE21 7LD Telephone: 020 8299 9255 Email: tannas@dulwich.org.uk Web: www.dulwich.org.uk Registered Charity No 1150064
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