Reception (4+)
Admission at Reception is via assessment. Registration is online and opens on the DUCKS website 16 months prior to the year of entry, i.e. Reception 2024 registration will open during May in 2023.
Children are invited to attend an assessment session during the Michaelmas term prior to the year of joining. The assessments take place on a Saturday and children are seen in small groups of between 6 and 8, according to their date of birth, ensuring we account for age related developmental differences in performance. The children are invited into a classroom setting to take part in activities very similar to those already familiar to them from other Nursery settings. A team of four adults will encourage the children to engage in activities within a stimulating learning environment and will observe both their levels of engagement and how well they play alongside other children, thus ensuring they would thrive within the current Pre-Reception cohort.
We are confident that all children who are offered a place in Reception through to Year 2 will thrive at DUCKS and have the opportunity to gain a place at a range of local independent settings when they sit the 7+ assessment during Year 2.
Deferred Year 3 (7+) Offer to Dulwich College Junior School
For boys joining DUCKS at Reception, there is also the opportunity to gain a deferred entry place to Year 3 at the Junior School. These places are awarded to boys who perform strongly and demonstrate an above average ability across all areas of learning during their 4+ assessment session. Families will also have the opportunity to visit the Junior School prior to the 4+ assessments. We must stress that there are other entry points for the College, including at 7+ and 11+ entry for example.
Year 1 (5+) and Year 2 (6+)
A small number of chance vacancies are available each year at Year 1 and Year 2 and admission is via assessment. Please either contact the Registrar or wait for registration to open online during the Lent term of the year of entry. i.e. Year 1 and Year 2 2024 registration will open during January in 2024.
Children are invited to attend an assessment session during the Lent term prior to the year of joining. The Assessments will last approximately 45 minutes and will be led by our Deputy Head and Head of KS1. The children will join the teachers in the classroom and will be invited to take part in activities similar to those already familiar to them from their current Reception class setting.
To complete the 4+, 5+ and 6+ online Assessment Forms you will need to upload the following:
- a recent photograph of your child
- if available, your child's latest school or nursery report
- if applicable, please provide brief details of any medical history
- if applicable, please provide brief details of any Special Educational Needs (SEN) or Learning Support including speech and language therapy. This will enable us to structure the best support for your child during the Assessment
The online Assessment application fee is £100 and is non-refundable