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Boarding

Welcome from the Head of Boarding

At Dulwich College we are very proud of our boarding community. Edward Alleyn founded our College in 1619 to provide education and lodgings for 12 scholars. Today we have a thriving and harmonious community of 140 boarders from the UK and around the world which remains at the heart of the College.

Mrs Fiona Angel
Senior Deputy Master

Boarding Houses

We have four boarding houses, located around a lush green campus twelve minutes from Central London. Blew House and Ivyholme each house 40 Year 12 and 13 students in en-suite study rooms. Old Blew and The Orchard are located in wonderful grounds catering for boys from Year 9 to Year 13. 

Old Blew and The Orchard

Two boarders entering their boarding house

 

Old Blew and The Orchard sit adjacent to the College campus and are surrounded by the most wonderful gardens, providing a beautiful and happy home for 60 pupils from Years 9 to 13. The cosmopolitan and diverse community within helps to enrich the boys’ experience beyond the school day. A mix of weekly and full boarders contribute to a thriving environment and the boys love their second home, whether it be Monday to Friday or seven days-a-week. Ensuring the boys are happy, engaged in school life and challenged yet supported in all areas is key, with great emphasis placed on the community being at the heart of the house, and the importance of celebrating success. 

Mr James Hanks
Old Blew and The Orchard Housemaster

Blew House

Boarders playing pool

 

Blew House in its current incarnation was built in 1934 and from 1979 has become solely occupied by Senior Boarders. In 2000 Blew House was rebuilt on the inside and the resplendent single study rooms with en-suite facilities are now enjoyed by 40 boarders. At this time the two Senior Houses were also joined together and whilst this brings with it many advantages, the competition between the Houses remains as strong as ever. A strong sense of community in a purposeful yet relaxed environment, we hope that Blew House will be a home, away from home.

Mr Max Davidson
Blew House Housemaster

Ivyholme

Boarders playing board game

 

Ivyholme occupies an enviable position in the College, at the heart of the campus, but with eastern views over extensive playing fields. The atmosphere in Ivyholme is friendly but purposeful. We are an international community, in which the individual flourishes in an ordered atmosphere of mutual respect, tolerance and integrity. Boys make lasting friends amongst their fellow boarders, despite being together for just two years. The house staff and tutors are welcoming and supportive, and do everything they can to help boys settle into their new surroundings.

Mr Ben Pelly
Ivyholme Housemaster

Pastoral Care

Housemaster James Hanks chatting with boarders

House staff

A number of academic staff support the Housemaster in his role, and the resident tutors and visiting tutors play a major part in the smooth running of the house. In addition, each boarding house has a matron, who cares for the health and wellbeing of pupils, manages the cleaning of the houses and the laundry, and is very much the person to whom boys can turn in the event of problems or just a friendly chat.

Medical Centre

The on-site Medical Centre has a team of qualified nursing staff ensuring that the boarding community has access to advice, care and support 24/7. A doctor visits each weekday to see those that need further medical advice. Resident members of boarding staff are First Aid trained. The College offers a confidential counselling service to pupils.

Food

Food is an important part of any teenager’s life. Breakfast includes fruit, cereal, toast and a number of cooked options, while supper includes three choices of main course, a salad bar, and a variety of dessert including fruit and yogurt. Special diets are catered for, and the Boarders’ Catering Committee meets regularly to ensure that student requests can be taken into account.

Activities

Boarders playing basketball in Orchard garden

We take full advantage of our proximity to London and there are regular House trips visiting the many museums, taking advantage of the various culinary delights and enjoying evenings at the cinema or theatre. We also take trips to support our local football club Crystal Palace, to go-karting, go-Ape and paintballing, to name a few. We like to look to the future and put on organised trips to Oxford, Cambridge and many of the other leading universities.

It is not always necessary to leave the College campus and the boarders make great use of the Sports Centre. In-house events include our own concerts and cultural celebrations as well as formal and more relaxed dinners.

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