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.”
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