Years 3, 4 and 5 entry

The main point of entry into the Junior School is at age 7 (Year 3) when we have some 40 - 45 places available (13 - 15 boys in each of the three forms). We have eight to twelve places for entry into Year 4 (age 8) and eight to ten in Year 5 (age 9).

Hear more from our Junior School pupils about College life in this short film...

Open Days and Visits

During the Summer and Michaelmas term we will hold virtual parent meetings with an introduction from the Master of Dulwich College, Dr Joe Spence, and a presentation from Dr Toby Griffiths, Head of Junior School. There will be, ample opportunity to ask questions and discuss details of the entry procedure during these meetings.

Parent Tours

In the Summer and Michaelmas terms, parents are invited and warmly encouraged to visit the Junior School during the school day. The Head of Junior School leads comprehensive tours for up to ten parents on Friday mornings. These tours provide an excellent opportunity to see the Junior School at workin action.

To reserve a place on a virtual meeting or parent tour, please contact the Junior School Registrar, Mrs Polly Twisk, on 0208 299 8432 or by email junioradmissions@dulwich.org.uk.

Junior School Open Days

The Junior School Open Days in the Michaelmas Term will be ticketed events, booked online, and will only be open to those families who are considering entry in September 2023. Families looking for entry in 2024 will be able to visit us from May 2023.

The Admissions team are always happy to talk to families on the phone and to answer any individual queries regarding the application process.

Our website is updated regularly so please do look at it to capture a flavour of what life at Dulwich College Junior School could be like for your son.

Open Morning

Saturday 8 October 2022, two sessions starting at 9.30am and 10.45am

The Open Morning is for parents and boys considering entry to Year 3, 4 and 5 for September 2023. Dr Joe Spence, The Master, and Dr Toby Griffiths, Head of Junior School, will be speaking during the morning.

Open Afternoon

Wednesday 2 November 2022, 1.30pm to 3.30pm

The Open Afternoon is for parents and boys considering entry to Year 3, 4 and 5 for September 2022. Dr Toby Griffiths, Head of Junior School, will be speaking.

Registered Parents' Evening

Wednesday 23 November 2022, 7.30pm

This evening is exclusively for those parents of boys registered for September 2023 entry. Speakers include the Master of the College, the Head of the Junior School and a Year 13 pupil who began his Dulwich College career in the Junior School. Junior School staff will be on hand to answer questions after the presentations.

Reserve a place

You will need to create an account in order to book an open day.

If you have previously used our online registration system please sign in to your existing account before continuing:

On a mobile phone click the ‘head and shoulder’ icon in the top right of the screen
On a computer the 'Sign In' button is top right of the screen

You will then find links to events and additional forms specific to your son's application in your 'Checklist'. To register another son please select 'Add New Applicant'. This will allow you to book an event.

Entry Procedures

2023 Entry

Registration deadline: Friday 4 November 2022, 12 noon

7+ applicants (entry into Year 3)

7+ Stage 1 Assessment : Saturday 3 December 2022
7+ Stage 2 Assessment: Thursday 5 January 2023
Results Posted: Friday 3 February 2023, 12 noon
Replies Deadline: Friday 10 February 2023, 12 noon

Applicants’ schools will be contacted directly for a confidential report in November.

Stage 1 Assessment

In December, boys will complete online assessments in small groups as well as some short assessments of writing and maths. The online assessments will be completed on desktops with a keyboard and mouse.

Stage 2 Assessment

Applicants who have shown sufficient promise in the assessments will be invited back in January for a one-to-one interview with a member of Junior School staff. During this assessment stage, we will assess their literacy, numeracy and offer boys the opportunity to work with others, showing their interest and aptitude for learning.

The majority of boys who are successful in our entry procedure will be working at a teacher assessment of Greater Depth by the end of their Infant or Pre-Prep school or achieving standardised scores >120.

Decisions on a candidate’s suitability will be based on their online assessment results, their attainment and potential in literacy and numeracy, the one-to-one interview, their approach to learning as demonstrated throughout their time with us, and their school report.

Successful applicants are offered a place subject to the College's Standard Terms and Conditions

Please note, for 7+ entry for September 2025 and beyond, with the introduction of a 4+ deferred entry process from our DUCKS, there will be a reduction in the number of places available going forward.

8+ and 9+ applicants (for entry into Year 4 and Year 5)

8+ and 9+ Stage 1 Assessment: Saturday 3 December 2022
8+ and 9+ Stage 2 Assessment: Saturday 14 January 2023
Year 4 Results Posted: Thursday 2 February 2023
Year 4 Replies Deadline: Thursday 9 February 2023, 12 noon
Year 5 Results Posted: Thursday 26 January 2023
Year 5 Replies Deadline: Thursday 2 February 2023, 12 noon

Applicants’ schools will be contacted directly for a confidential report in November.

Stage 1 Assessment

In December, boys will complete online assessments in small groups, as well as some short assessments of writing and maths. The online assessments will be completed on desktops with a keyboard and mouse.

Stage 2 Assessment

Applicants who have shown sufficient promise in the assessments will be invited back in January for a one-to-one interview with a member of Junior School staff and group activities. During this assessment stage, we will assess their literacy, numeracy and offer boys the opportunity to work with others, showing their interest and aptitude for learning.

Successful applicants are offered a place subject to the College's Standard Terms and Conditions

Disability and Special Educational Needs

Please notify the Junior School Registrar by Friday 4 November 2022 if your child has any specific learning needs or disabilities, which might affect the administration of the 2023 assessment. Sending any professional reports and recommendations is helpful so we can ensure suitable arrangements are made.

Online Registration

For candidates seeking admission to Year 3, 4 and 5 entry in September 2023, please complete the online registration form. The registration deadline is Friday 4 November 2022, 12.00 noon.

The registration fee is £160 and is non-refundable.

If your son is in receipt of the Pupil Premium, you will not need to pay a registration fee. Please complete the online registration form, tick the bursary box and upload the supporting documentation as requested on the form. Please complete the registration to before the point of payment and submit the form. At this stage if will appear as if the registration form has not submitted but please contact the admissions team so they can finalise your application (tel: 020 8299 8432 or junioradmissions@dulwich.org.uk). This is for applicants in the UK only.

To complete the online registration form you will need to upload the following:

your son’s passport or birth certificate
a recent photograph of your son
An Educational Psychologist report (if applicable) which might allow for extra-time in the exams and/or use of computer
details of any medical condition indicating examination concessions or might affect his application
if applicable, pupil premium letter from your son's primary school

Years 3, 4 and 5 Registration

If you have previously used our online registration system please sign in to your existing account before continuing:

On a mobile phone click the ‘head and shoulder’ icon in the top right of the screen
On a computer the 'Sign In' button is top right of the screen

You will then find links to events and additional forms specific to your son's application in your 'Checklist'.

To register another son please select 'Add New Applicant'. To re-apply for your son, please do not edit his 'past application', instead select 'Add New Applicant'.

Entrance Advice

What are we looking for in the Dulwich College Junior School Assessments?

It is important to stress that we are looking for potential in the pupils; pupils who will thrive at Dulwich College to the age of 18. Our challenge is to find students with potential whose natural ability will grow with the challenges and breadth a Dulwich education provides.

Online Assessment

The children do not need to do any preparation for the online assessment. These assessments will look at the pupil’s English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning competencies. Ideally, the boys will have used a computer with a mouse beforehand, but this is not a barrier to doing well in these assessments. We have the support in place to help all applicants in these assessments.

Reading, reading and reading

Your son should read aloud; he should discuss the stories read, their meanings, any new vocabulary encountered, the feelings of characters and how stories relate to other books, authors and the world around them.

Numeracy

Children should have a good level of numeracy and be able to understand number problems in context. An ability to link topics and use appropriate strategies to explain their thinking will be useful.

Writing

Applicants will be asked to write in response to a given stimulus. We are looking for boys who can express themselves clearly and creatively using interesting vocabulary and accurate punctuation. Clear success criteria will be given and a teacher will be on hand to support where needed.

Speaking

Applicants will be encouraged to speak about themselves in a one-to-one interview with the member of Junior School staff, discuss their genuine interests and enthusiasms, and issues around them. Quiet or shy boys can very effectively relay the topics that fascinate them with our gentle and supportive staff.

On the Assessment Days

We aim to make the days as normal and as welcoming as possible with our Junior School teachers encouraging and supporting the boys. Along with the invitation to the assessment days, details will be provided about what the boys should bring and the structure of the day. We offer frequent breaks and provide healthy refreshments to help ensure that your son’s visit to Dulwich College Junior School is positive and memorable.

Entrance Assessments

7+ applicants (boys who want to join us in Year 3)
8+ and 9+ applicants (boys who want to join us in Year 4 or Year 5)

7+ applicants (boys who want to join us in Year 3)

All applicants will undertake the Stage 1 Assessment which involves online assessments and some short assessments of their maths and writing. Around two thirds of applicants will then be invited back for the Stage 2 Assessment which involves group activities and a one-to-one interview with a member of Junior School staff. In each of the assessment stages, there is ample opportunity for boys to tell us about their passions and interests, and to show their engagement in learning.

Stage 1 Assessment

Online Assessments

Applicants will complete a variety of online reasoning assessments. These tests are a means of looking at a pupil’s underlying abilities and current attainment. It is ‘age-standardised’, which helps us to identify the potential of applicants, especially for those children who have July or August birthdays. We do not assume the boys will have had any experience of these tests before they arrive and we will prepare them for it with practice questions to ensure they understand what to do. Ideally, the boys will have used a computer with a mouse beforehand, but this is not a barrier to doing well in these assessments. We have the support and means to help all boys in these assessments.

Numeracy

Children are expected to demonstrate addition, subtraction, multiplication and division knowledge and an ability to apply this understanding when solving problems in context. They can use any method. Being secure in their two, three, four, five and ten times tables as well as in their understanding of place value is important. In addition, applicants will be expected to show an understanding of simple fractions and measures.

Writing

During their visit, applicants will also be asked to complete a short written task in response to a given stimulus. We are looking for boys who can express themselves clearly and creatively using interesting vocabulary and accurate punctuation.

After the stage 1 assessments, we invite back around two thirds of applicants for a one-to-one interview with a member of Junior School staff and group activities.

Stage 2

Interview

During the one-to-one interview with a member of Junior School staff, boys will be asked about themselves, their interests, and issues around them. They will be asked to read a passage out loud, answer comprehension questions and answer maths questions testing number fact recall, calculations as well as problem solving. Our supportive staff are experienced in ensuring all boys feel comfortable and confident during this time.

Numeracy

Literacy

Applicants will be asked to read out loud an age appropriate passage showing accuracy, intonation and fluency. Comprehension questions will follow to check their recall, inference and understanding of the passage, the characters and the setting. In addition, they will be asked to explain the meaning of certain words.

Group Activities

Children will be organised into small groups of students for group activities, structured very much like a lesson. We’re looking for applicants who show an engagement in learning, and who show their ability to follow instructions, listen and collaborate with others. They will also be expected to reason and apply new knowledge and think creatively.

8+ and 9+ applicants (boys who want to join us in Year 4 or Year 5)

All applicants will undertake the Stage 1 Assessment which involves online reasoning tests and some short assessments of maths and writing. Around half of applicants will then be invited back for the Stage 2 Assessment which involves a group task and a one-to-one interview with a member of Junior School staff. In each of the assessment stages, there is ample opportunity for boys to tell us about their passions and interests, and to show their engagement in learning.

The majority of boys who are successful in our entry procedure will be working at a teacher assessment of Greater Depth and achieving standardised scores >120.

Stage 1

Online Assessments

Applicants will complete a variety of online assessments. These tests are a means of looking at a pupil’s underlying ability. It is ‘age-standardised’, which helps us to identify the potential of applicants, especially for those children who have July or August birthdays. We do not assume the boys will have had any experience of these tests before they arrive and we will prepare them for it with practice questions to ensure they understand what to do. Ideally, the boys will have used a computer with a mouse beforehand, but this is not a barrier to doing well in these assessments. We have the support and means to help all boys in these assessments.

Numeracy

Children are expected to demonstrate addition, subtraction, multiplication and division knowledge and an ability to apply this understanding when solving problems in context. They can use any method. Being secure in multiplication and division facts to 12x12 as well as in their understanding of place value is important. In addition, applicants will be expected to show an understanding of decimals, fractions and measures.

Writing

After the online Stage 1 assessments, we invite back around half of applicants for a one-to-one interview with a member of Junior School staff and group activities.

Stage 2

Interview

During the one-to-one interview with a member of Junior School staff, boys will be asked about themselves, their interests and issues around them. They will be asked to read a passage out loud, answer comprehension questions and answer maths questions testing number fact recall, calculations as well as problem solving. Our supportive staff are experienced in ensuring all boys feel comfortable and confident during this time.

Numeracy

Applicants are expected to demonstrate a sound understanding of the four rules of number and an ability to apply this understanding when solving problems in context. Being secure in multiplication and division facts to 12x12 as well as in their understanding of place value is important. In addition, applicants will be expected to show an understanding of decimals, fractions and measures. They will need to use their own strategies and methods to solve mathematical problems, including those involving two distinct calculation stages.

Literacy

Applicants will be asked to read an age appropriate passage out loud, showing accuracy, intonation and fluency. Comprehension questions will follow to check their recall, inference and understanding of the passage, the characters and the setting. In addition, they be asked to explain the meaning of certain words.

Group Activities

Applicants will be organised into small groups of boys for group activities, structured very much like a lesson. We’re looking for applicants who show an engagement in learning, and who show their ability to follow instructions, listen and collaborate with others. They will also be expected to reason and apply new knowledge and think creatively.

Discover More

Mrs Polly Twisk

Junior School Registrar

The Junior School Registrar, Mrs Polly Twisk, is responsible for dealing with all enquiries to the Junior School and for the administration of the entry procedure for Years 3 to 6.

Please contact her if you have any queries:
Telephone: 020 8299 8432
Email: junioradmissions@dulwich.org.uk

Junior School Location Map