Published articles by the Master
Interview with Dr Joe Spence
Summer 2022, Education Corner Podcast
Dr Joe Spence talks about the ethos and efforts being made to ensure Dulwich College is a diverse and inclusive school. Listen to the full interview
Free Learning: Inspiring intellectual curiosity at Dulwich College
Lent 2022, Education Choices Magazine
Some eight years ago Dr Joe Spence coined a term to describe his passion for all sorts of learning beyond the curriculum, “free learning”. Read more...
Spotlight On: Southwark Schools’ Learning Partnership
04 June 2021, Independent Schools Council Blog
Dr Joe Spence, master of Dulwich College, explains how the Southwark Schools’ Learning Partnership has adapted its collaborative work during the pandemic. Read more...
In search of time and space
Spring 2021, Prep School magazine
In James Joyce’s great short story ‘The Dead’, Gabriel Conroy, dilettante schoolmaster, bemoans the passing of a more spacious age. Read more...
Success of language teacher SCITT must now 'go viral'
9 September 2020, Tes
Fears the government-funded NML SCITT scheme would only benefit private schools has proven unfounded, so we must push forward, writes Dr Joe Spence. Read more...
A world class education within your budget: 191 Bursary Awards at Dulwich College
9 October 2019, NappyValleyNet
Every parent hopes their children can attend a school that offers a stimulating academic curriculum alongside transformational opportunities beyond the classroom. Read more...
The Future of Partnership
13 August 2018, HMC Blog
There is concern among school leaders that politicians are so taken up with Brexit that education is being neglected. I am not sure this is the case. Read more...
Building bridges
Absolute Education, Autumn - Winter 2017
Joe Spence, Master of Dulwich College and Co-Director of the Southwark Schools' Learning Partnership, reflects on the benefits of forging partnerships between maintained and independent schools. Read more...
Is a well-rounded education still useful?
10 November 2017, Independent Schools Show
Dr Joe Spence and Ben Vessey, Head of Canford School address the question of whether a well-rounded education is still useful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO4thpBsGn4
State and independent schools must meet as equals
02 July 2017, The Sunday Times Education Blog
Much has changed politically since June 8, not least with reference to schools. Since the general election it has been Labour rather than the Conservative Party that has been shouting about education. The Tories have gone very quiet. Read more...
From Stem to Steam: let’s put the arts into education
14 May 2017, The Sunday Times Education Blog
It is than a month since Sir Nicholas Serota delivered, in Hull, our new UK City of Culture, his first speech as chair of Arts Council England. It received limited coverage in the news and has drawn forth even less comment. Read more...
A good teacher stays with you for decades
26 February 2017, The Sunday Times Education Blog
Headteachers have many and various responsibilities, and most of us feel them sharply. It is imperative for a head to have, and to some extent to personify, an educational vision and a social mission that are understood across the entire school. Read more...
Let’s not forget the ‘ordinary pupil’
12 February 2017, The Sunday Times Education Blog
Buried deep in an article on what makes a good school, you might find a paragraph on its provision for the “ordinary pupil”. But this is a species that deserves more attention. Read more...
Debating can save us from ‘short-termist democracy’
15 January 2017, The Sunday Times Education Blog
Debating should be an integral ingredient of every school’s commitment to learning beyond the curriculum and beyond the classroom; it is one of the most powerful antidotes a school can provide to lazy “marshmallow” thinking. Read more...
Young people need to be more than the sum of their CVs
11 December 2016, The Sunday Times Education Blog
This week saw the publication of the latest Pisa (Programme for International Student Assessment) ranking of aspects of the educational provision of 72 countries or cities. Read more...
Why British students should go Dutch
30 October 2016, The Sunday Times Education Blog
Dutch universities are worth considering, says Joe Spence.
We’ve held a week of meetings for Year 11 and 12 pupils and their parents, from Dulwich and other local schools, on the destinations they might aspire to after A levels (or the International Baccalaureate). Read more...
Turning pupil voice into pupil action
9 October 2016, The Sunday Times Education Blog
While the Tories were gathering for their annual party conference, the headmasters and headmistresses of HMC - representing nearly 300 of the UK's leading independent schools - met 25 miles to the south, in Stratford upon Avon. The theme was 'Leading creative schools'. Read more...
Theresa May must allow private schools to act independently to help poor children
30 September 2016, The Telegraph - Education
Theresa May has thrown down the gauntlet to independent schools. I am pleased she has done so and pleased by the manner in which she has made her demands. Read more...
Parenting Matters offers a series of articles written by the leaders of our pastoral team and other teachers relating to the relationship of the College and its parent body.
