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What it's like

Founded in 1619 and endowed by Edward Alleyn, the Elizabethan actor-manager, it stands in 26 acres of fine grounds and playing fields in Dulwich. The main buildings date from 1887 with a number of recent additions, including modernised library, computer suites, art and design studios, music school and a new performing arts centre. The spacious grounds allow a full range of sporting activities within the school boundaries. The school has had a partnership with, and enjoyed considerable financial support from, the Worshipful Company of Saddlers for some 30 years. Academically and intellectually, it is one of the foremost co-educational schools in southern England. A friendly and purposeful school providing a first-rate traditional education with excellent examination results. The school has admitted girls on equal terms since the mid-seventies and has a very strong commitment to co-education. It is a Church of England foundation but assemblies are ecumenical in character. It has a very strong and active music school and is also noted for art and drama (the National Youth Theatre was developed at the school and it has a rehearsal studio in the new performing arts centre). It is highly regarded in the locality where it enjoys vigorous support.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 1180 day pupils (579 boys, 601 girls). Senior department, 11-18, 950 pupils (470 boys, 480 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used. Automatic transfer from own junior school (enquiries to Junior School Admissions, same address, Tel 020 8557 1519).

Scholarships & bursaries

Over 80 awards made annually: at age 11, some 54 scholarships or exhibitions, plus an average of 10 pa academic bursaries; at 16, up to 19 scholarships (16 academic, 1 music, 2 sports), 4 academic bursaries and 1 Fenner or Incledon bursary. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Parents

Professional and theatrical/musical. Wide social mix.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Dr Colin Diggory, appointed 2002. Educated at Durham University (mathematics). Previously Headmaster at Latymer Upper School, Head of Maths at Merchant Taylors' and Assistant Master both at St Paul's and at Manchester Grammar. Former A-level Chief Examiner, Chairman of HMC London Division, ISI Inspector. Teaching staff: 121 full time, 23 part time. Annual turnover 7%.

Exam results

GCSE: 138 pupils in Year 11, all gaining at least grade C in 8 or more subjects. A-level: 137 in Year 13; 32% passed 4+ subjects, 68% 3 subjects. Average final point score of 379.

Pupils' destinations

100% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course, 15% to Oxbridge. 8% take courses in medicine, 27% in dentistry, science and engineering, 3% in law, 47% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 5% in languages, 5% in vocational subjects such as education, journalism, accountancy.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 28 subjects offered in the sixth form, including business studies, economics, Italian, law, philosophy, photography, politics, psychology, media studies and theatre studies. All students take 9 or 10 GCSE subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 or 4 at A-level; in addition, pupils can take AS-level critical thinking and A-level general studies. 33% take science A-levels; 37% arts/humanities; 30% both. Vocational: Work experience compulsory after GCSEs. Aptitude tests in Year 11. Languages: French (compulsory for 3 years), Latin (for 2 years), German and Spanish offered from Year 8 and all at GCSE and A-level; also ab initio Italian AS-level in sixth form. Regular exchanges to France, Germany and Spain. Satellite TV/language lab and computer laboratory for linguists. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject. Some 600 computers networked across the school, all with email and internet access. GCSE and A-level ICT offered.

The arts

Music: over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 40 performing groups, including 4 orchestras, 4 choirs, 2 jazz bands and several string and wind chamber groups. Several pupils in junior conservatoires, NYO, NYC, LSSO, NCO; pupils regularly gain Oxbridge choral and organ scholarships and places at conservatoires. Drama: GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies available. Drama clubs in lower and middle schools. Range of productions throughout the year. Regular entrants to drama college and university drama courses. Some pupils selected for National Youth Theatre and National Youth Music Theatre. Art and design: on average, 50 take GCSE A-level, 30 A-level. All pupils taught painting, drawing, sculpture and ceramics. 3D-design, pottery and photography also offered. Some 10 pa accepted to art college and art-related courses.

Sports & activities

Sport: Football, hockey, cricket, basketball, athletics, tennis, swimming, netball, rounders, cross-country compulsory. Keep fit, fives, aerobics, badminton, fitness and weight training, water polo, golf, horse riding optional. Regular county and regional representation (gymnastics, swimming, hockey, cricket, basketball, fives, netball, football, athletics, cross-country). Activities: pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. All Year 10 pupils take part in D of E or community service (including working with disabled children) or CCF (one of the largest voluntary forces in the country). 50+ clubs including choral, bridge, Amnesty, Christian Union, ceramics, debating, art, science, politics, computing, various sports and electronics.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn; formal dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: House system forms basis of pastoral welfare for Years 9-13 and for music, games and other competitions. School captain, prefects and heads of house appointed by the Headmaster in consultation with staff and students. School council. Religion: Church of England; assemblies ecumenical; pupils may be withdrawn if parents request. Social: occasional joint careers conferences and debates with local schools. Regular organised holiday visits; exchanges with French, German and Spanish schools. Visiting speakers for upper school (sixth form). Upper school allowed to bring own car/bike/motorbike to school. Meals self-service.

Discipline

Detentions are given for poor work and inappropriate behaviour.

Association of former pupils

Edward Alleyn Club, run by Alumni Officer, Susie Schofield (tel 020 8557 1466; website www.edwardalleynclub.com).

Former pupils

Julian Glover (cellist); Simon Ward, John Stride, Ray Cooney, Jude Law, Sam West, Nancy Carroll, Tom Godwin, (actors); Stuart Blanch (former Archbishop of York); C S Forester, V S Pritchett (writers); Prof R V Jones (Enigma coding); Peter Lammer (CEO Sophos); Ajay Kakkar (Prof of surgical science, Barts); Mike Merrifield (Prof Astronomy, Nottingham); Micky Stewart, John Pretlove (sport); Florence Welch, Jack Peñate (pop musicians); Jack Lanchberry, Hannah Sloane, Mitch McGugan (musicians); Benjamin Wallfisch (composer) Peter Darling (choreographer); Felix Barrett (theatre director), Sir Henry Cotton (golfer), Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen (television personality).