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 45 places available (15 or 16 boys in each of three forms). We have six to 10 places for entry into Year 4 (age 8) and Year 5 (age 9).
Open Days and Visits
During the Summer term we will be holding 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, with ample opportunity to ask any questions and discuss details of the entry procedure.
Parent Tours
From the Michaelmas term, 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. This provides an excellent opportunity to see the Junior School at work. 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 a entry in September 2022. Families looking for entry in 2023 will be able to visit us in May.
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 sons.
Open Morning
- Saturday 9 October 2021, three sessions starting at 9.30am, 10.15am and 11.30am
The Open Morning is for parents and boys considering entry to Year 3, 4 and 5 for September 2022. Dr Joe Spence, The Master, and Dr Toby Griffiths, Head of Junior School, will be speaking during the morning.
Open Afternoon
- Wednesday 3 November 2021, 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.
If you have already used our online registration system please sign into your account, you will find a link to the event in your Checklist or select 'Add New Applicant' on your Dashboard.
Registered Parents' Evening
- Tuesday 23 November 2021, 7.30pm
This evening is exclusively for those parents of boys registered for September 2022 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.
Entry Procedures
2022 Entry
Registration deadline: Friday 5 November 2021, 12 noon
7+ applicants (entry into Year 3)
- 7+ Stage 1 Assessment (including Online Reasoning): Saturday 4 December 2021
- 7+ Stage 2 Assessment: Friday 7 January 2022
- Results Posted: Friday 4 February 2022
- Replies Deadline: Friday 11 February 2022, 12 noon
Applicants’ schools will be contacted directly for a confidential report in November.
Stage 1 Assessment
In December, boys will complete online reasoning assessments in small groups. These 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 a group activity session. During the assessment stages, we will assess their literacy, numeracy and offer boys the opportunity to work with others and show 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 working at a National Curriculum KS1 SATs Scaled Score of 100-115 (well above the National Average).
Decisions on a candidate’s suitability will be based on his online assessment results, one-to-one interview, his approach to learning as demonstrated throughout his time with us and his school report.
Successful applicants are offered a place subject to the College's Standard Terms and Conditions
8+ and 9+ applicants (for entry into Year 4 and Year 5)
- 8+ and 9+ Stage 1 Assessment (including Online Reasoning): Saturday 4 December 2021
- 8+ and 9+ Stage 2 Assessment: Saturday 15 January 2022
- Year 4 Results Posted: Thursday 3 February 2022
- Year 4 Replies Deadline: Thursday 10 February 2022, 12 noon
- Year 5 Results Posted: Thursday 27 January 2022
- Year 5 Replies Deadline: Thursday 3 February 2022, 12 noon
Applicants’ schools will be contacted directly for a confidential report in November.
Stage 1 Assessment
In December, boys will complete online reasoning assessments in small groups. These 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 a group activity session. During the assessment stages, we will assess their literacy, numeracy and offer boys the opportunity to work with others and show their interest and aptitude for learning.
Decisions on an applicants suitability will be based on his online assessment results, one-to-one interview, his approach to learning as demonstrated throughout his time with us and his school report.
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 5 November 2021 if your child has any specific learning needs or disabilities, which might affect the administration of the 2022 assessment. Sending any professional reports and recommendations is helpful so we can ensure suitable arrangements are made.
Online Registration
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 boys; boys 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 Reasoning
The boys do not need to do any preparation for the online reasoning (e.g. non-verbal), although some familiarisation with these types of questions may increase confidence for the uninitiated. 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. If your son has never used a mouse before, please do share this in your application, so we can ensure the necessary support is available on the day.
Reading, reading and reading
Ideally, 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.
Mathematics
Boys should be comfortable with number 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, share what they are reading and what they enjoy doing in their spare time. 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 reasoning tests. Around two thirds 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 by the end of their Infant or Pre-Prep school or working at a National Curriculum KS1 SATs Scaled Score of 100-115 (well above the National Average).
Stage 1 Assessment
Online Reasoning
Applicants will complete a variety of online reasoning questions. This test is 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 before they start the main assessment 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. If your son has never used a mouse before, please do share this in your application, so we can ensure the necessary support is available on the day.
After the online reasoning assessments, we invite back around two thirds of applicants for a one-to-one interview with a member of Junior School staff and a group task.
Stage 2 Assessment
Interview
During the one-to-one interview with a member of Junior School staff, boys will be asked about themselves and their interests. They will be asked to read aloud and answer comprehension and maths questions. Our supportive staff are experienced in ensuring all boys feel comfortable and confident during this time.
-
Mathematics
Boys 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. Questions will be shared as number sentences as well as word and pictorial problems.
-
English
Boys will be asked to read an age appropriate passage out loud showing intonation and fluency. Comprehension questions will follow to check their understanding of the passage, the characters and the setting. In addition, they be asked to explain the meaning of certain words.
During their visit, boys 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. Clear success criteria will be given, and a teacher will be on hand to support where needed.
Group Activity
Applicants will be organised into small groups of students for a group activity, 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, collaborate with others 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. 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 Assessment
Online Reasoning
Applicants will complete a variety of online reasoning questions. This test is 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 before they start the main assessment 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. If your son has never used a mouse before, please do share this in your application, so we can ensure the necessary support is available on the day.
After the online reasoning assessments, we invite back around half of applicants for a one-to-one interview with a member of Junior School staff and a group task.
Stage 2 Assessment
Interview
During the one-to-one interview with a member of Junior School staff, boys will be asked about themselves and their interests. They will be asked to read aloud and answer comprehension and maths questions. Our supportive staff are experienced in ensuring all boys feel comfortable and confident during this time.
-
Mathematics
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.
-
English
Applicants will be asked to read an age appropriate passage out loud showing intonation and fluency. Comprehension questions will follow to check their understanding of the passage, the characters and the setting. In addition, they be asked to explain the meaning of certain words.
During their visit, boys 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. Clear success criteria will be given, and a teacher will be on hand to support where needed.
Group Activity
Applicants will be organised into small groups of boys for a group activity, 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, collaborate with others 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