Entry Procedures - Dulwich Prep & Senior
Source: https://dulwichprepsenior.org.uk/admissions/admissions/entry-procedures
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:21
Entry Procedures - Dulwich Prep & Senior
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Nursery & Reception Entry
Fledglings
Boys and girls can start in September when they are two years old and will have their third birthday in this academic year (between 1 September and 31 August). Children entering our Fledglings Rooms will not be assessed. Instead, registration will work on a first-come, first-served basis to a maximum of 60 registrations. We have 32 places in Fledglings Room, and should we exceed 32 registrations, we will adopt a ballot system.
We will hold a ‘Stay and Play’ morning session for all families registered in February before entry. Families will be notified of the ballot’s outcome before the end of the spring term. All children will automatically progress into our Nursery (3+).
Our school is boys only from Reception, and the transition for boys to Reception (4+) will involve an internal assessment; further information about which will be shared with parents closer to the time.
We encourage girls to begin their journey with us in Fledglings (2+), as they can benefit from two full years with us. This additional time allows us to develop stronger relationships, support early development, and ensure each girl is fully prepared (academically, socially, and emotionally) for their next step in their learning journey.
Nursery
Boys and girls can start in Nursery in the September after their third birthday and have their fourth birthday within the academic year (between 1 September and 31 August). The ratio of boys to girls is approximately 5:1 in Nursery. After Nursery, we support exit for the girls to move on to other local schools.
On the assessment day, children are observed playing in small groups in the classrooms, and our staff engage them with a variety of resources, such as construction toys and role-play. We usually have a short music session and finish with the children sitting together and listening to a story.
As part of the admissions process, we ask parents to provide a copy of their child’s most recent school report, and with parental permission, we will contact each child’s current setting, however, we understand that some young children will not be attending a nursery setting.
During the assessment, parents are invited to stay for tea or coffee, and staff are available to answer any queries.
Reception
Each year, there are approximately 30 new Reception places in addition to the boys moving up from our Nursery. We are a boys-only school from Reception.
On the assessment day, the boys complete small and group activities with a member of staff in the classroom. We usually have a short music session and finish with the children sitting together and listening to a story.
We ask parents to provide a copy of their child’s most recent school or Nursery report, and with parental permission, we will contact each child’s current setting, however, we understand that some young children will not be attending a nursery before visiting us.
During the assessment, parents stay for tea or coffee, and staff are available to answer any queries
Key Dates
Fledglings
Registration Deadline: Upon Reaching 60 Registrations
Stay & Play Visit: Monday 23, Tuesday 24, Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 February 2026
Offers Date: Friday 6 March 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 13 March 2026
Nursery
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Familiarisation Visit: Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 December 2025
Assessment Date: Thursday 8 and Friday 9 January 2026
Offers Date: Thursday 29 January 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 6 February 2026
Reception
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Familiarisation Visit: Thursday 6 November 2025
Assessment Date: Saturday 22 November 2025
Offers Date: Friday 16 January 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 23 January 2026
Pre-Prep Entry (Years 1 to 3)
Our assessments for boys entering the Pre-Prep at Years 1 & 2 are carried out in small groups. We will hear the boys read, and they will be asked to do some Maths and writing. We will also look at their socialising and listening skills as the boys play together.
We invite boys entering the Pre-Prep at Year 3 to spend half a day with us, which includes lunch. There are papers in English and Maths (including comprehension and story writing), and the boys will complete verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests on a computer. We also hear the boys read and allow them to play and look around the school.
Boys also have the chance to play ball games in the Sports Hall and to join in some fun singing in the Music department. Each boy individually meets the Head of Pre-Prep and the Head of Year 3 for an informal chat. Parents are invited to join the Head Master for coffee when they drop the boys off for their assessments.
For all Year Groups, we ask parents to provide a copy of their son’s most recent school report. We will also contact each boy’s current school to ask for a reference before the assessment takes place.
Key Dates
Years 1 & 2
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Assessment Date: Thursday 26 February 2026
Offers Date: Friday 6 March 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 13 March 2026
Year 3
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Assessment Date: Wednesday 21, Thursday 22 and Friday 23 January 2026
Offers Date: Friday 30 January 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 6 February 2026
Prep Entry (Years 4 to 8)
We invite boys entering the Prep School to spend half a day with us, which includes lunch. For those joining at Year 4, there are papers in English and Maths (including comprehension and story writing), and the boys will complete verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests on a computer. We also hear the boys read and allow them to play and look around the school.
Boys also have the chance to play ball games in the Sports Hall and to join in some fun singing in the Music department. Each boy individually meets the Head of Section and the Head of Year 4 for an informal chat. Parents are invited to join the Head Master for coffee when they drop the boys off for their assessments.
For boys entering at Years 5 to 8, they will sit reasoning tests (verbal, non-verbal and quantitative) and are asked to undertake some written English (writing and comprehension) and Maths work. We also ask the boys to participate in some team tasks with other boys of a similar age and will conduct an informal interview. The assessment aims to ensure that the boys who join us will thrive in a selective school with high academic standards.
For all Year Groups, we ask parents to provide a copy of their son’s most recent school report. We will also contact each boy’s current school to ask for a reference before the assessment takes place.
Key Dates
Year 4
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Assessment Date: Tuesday 20 January 2026
Offers Date: Friday 6 February 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 13 February 2026
Years 5 & 6
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Assessment Date: Tuesday 20 January 2026
Offers Date: Friday 6 February 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 13 February 2026
Years 7 & 8
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Assessment Date: Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 January 2026*
Offers Date: Friday 13 February 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 6 March 2026
*In order to best accommodate Exam Access Arrangements as prescribed for diagnosed SEND needs by external specialists, such as extra time, provision of touch typing, movement breaks and prompts, we may need to ask for boys to attend on Thursday 29 January 2026.
Senior Entry (Year 9)
We invite boys entering the Senior School to spend half a day with us, which includes lunch. As part of their visit, the boys will sit reasoning tests (verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative) and are asked to undertake some written English (writing and comprehension) and Maths work.
We also ask the boys to participate in some team tasks with other boys of a similar age and will conduct an informal interview. The assessment aims to ensure that the boys who join us will thrive in a selective school with high academic standards.
We ask parents to provide a copy of their son’s most recent school report. Before the assessment takes place, we will also contact each boy’s current school to ask for a reference.
Key Dates
Year 9
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Assessment Date: Friday 28 November 2025
Offers Date: Friday 16 January 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Monday 2 March 2026
Skip to main content
Skip to footer
Admissions
Prospectus
Entry Procedures
Tours & Visits
Register & Apply
Life After DPS
Fees & Bursaries
Travel & Transport
Contact Admissions
FAQS
Entry Procedures
Nursery & Reception Entry
Fledglings
Boys and girls can start in September when they are two years old and will have their third birthday in this academic year (between 1 September and 31 August). Children entering our Fledglings Rooms will not be assessed. Instead, registration will work on a first-come, first-served basis to a maximum of 60 registrations. We have 32 places in Fledglings Room, and should we exceed 32 registrations, we will adopt a ballot system.
We will hold a ‘Stay and Play’ morning session for all families registered in February before entry. Families will be notified of the ballot’s outcome before the end of the spring term. All children will automatically progress into our Nursery (3+).
Our school is boys only from Reception, and the transition for boys to Reception (4+) will involve an internal assessment; further information about which will be shared with parents closer to the time.
We encourage girls to begin their journey with us in Fledglings (2+), as they can benefit from two full years with us. This additional time allows us to develop stronger relationships, support early development, and ensure each girl is fully prepared (academically, socially, and emotionally) for their next step in their learning journey.
Nursery
Boys and girls can start in Nursery in the September after their third birthday and have their fourth birthday within the academic year (between 1 September and 31 August). The ratio of boys to girls is approximately 5:1 in Nursery. After Nursery, we support exit for the girls to move on to other local schools.
On the assessment day, children are observed playing in small groups in the classrooms, and our staff engage them with a variety of resources, such as construction toys and role-play. We usually have a short music session and finish with the children sitting together and listening to a story.
As part of the admissions process, we ask parents to provide a copy of their child’s most recent school report, and with parental permission, we will contact each child’s current setting, however, we understand that some young children will not be attending a nursery setting.
During the assessment, parents are invited to stay for tea or coffee, and staff are available to answer any queries.
Reception
Each year, there are approximately 30 new Reception places in addition to the boys moving up from our Nursery. We are a boys-only school from Reception.
On the assessment day, the boys complete small and group activities with a member of staff in the classroom. We usually have a short music session and finish with the children sitting together and listening to a story.
We ask parents to provide a copy of their child’s most recent school or Nursery report, and with parental permission, we will contact each child’s current setting, however, we understand that some young children will not be attending a nursery before visiting us.
During the assessment, parents stay for tea or coffee, and staff are available to answer any queries
Key Dates
Fledglings
Registration Deadline: Upon Reaching 60 Registrations
Stay & Play Visit: Monday 23, Tuesday 24, Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 February 2026
Offers Date: Friday 6 March 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 13 March 2026
Nursery
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Familiarisation Visit: Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 December 2025
Assessment Date: Thursday 8 and Friday 9 January 2026
Offers Date: Thursday 29 January 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 6 February 2026
Reception
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Familiarisation Visit: Thursday 6 November 2025
Assessment Date: Saturday 22 November 2025
Offers Date: Friday 16 January 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 23 January 2026
Pre-Prep Entry (Years 1 to 3)
Our assessments for boys entering the Pre-Prep at Years 1 & 2 are carried out in small groups. We will hear the boys read, and they will be asked to do some Maths and writing. We will also look at their socialising and listening skills as the boys play together.
We invite boys entering the Pre-Prep at Year 3 to spend half a day with us, which includes lunch. There are papers in English and Maths (including comprehension and story writing), and the boys will complete verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests on a computer. We also hear the boys read and allow them to play and look around the school.
Boys also have the chance to play ball games in the Sports Hall and to join in some fun singing in the Music department. Each boy individually meets the Head of Pre-Prep and the Head of Year 3 for an informal chat. Parents are invited to join the Head Master for coffee when they drop the boys off for their assessments.
For all Year Groups, we ask parents to provide a copy of their son’s most recent school report. We will also contact each boy’s current school to ask for a reference before the assessment takes place.
Key Dates
Years 1 & 2
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Assessment Date: Thursday 26 February 2026
Offers Date: Friday 6 March 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 13 March 2026
Year 3
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Assessment Date: Wednesday 21, Thursday 22 and Friday 23 January 2026
Offers Date: Friday 30 January 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 6 February 2026
Prep Entry (Years 4 to 8)
We invite boys entering the Prep School to spend half a day with us, which includes lunch. For those joining at Year 4, there are papers in English and Maths (including comprehension and story writing), and the boys will complete verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests on a computer. We also hear the boys read and allow them to play and look around the school.
Boys also have the chance to play ball games in the Sports Hall and to join in some fun singing in the Music department. Each boy individually meets the Head of Section and the Head of Year 4 for an informal chat. Parents are invited to join the Head Master for coffee when they drop the boys off for their assessments.
For boys entering at Years 5 to 8, they will sit reasoning tests (verbal, non-verbal and quantitative) and are asked to undertake some written English (writing and comprehension) and Maths work. We also ask the boys to participate in some team tasks with other boys of a similar age and will conduct an informal interview. The assessment aims to ensure that the boys who join us will thrive in a selective school with high academic standards.
For all Year Groups, we ask parents to provide a copy of their son’s most recent school report. We will also contact each boy’s current school to ask for a reference before the assessment takes place.
Key Dates
Year 4
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Assessment Date: Tuesday 20 January 2026
Offers Date: Friday 6 February 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 13 February 2026
Years 5 & 6
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Assessment Date: Tuesday 20 January 2026
Offers Date: Friday 6 February 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 13 February 2026
Years 7 & 8
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Assessment Date: Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 January 2026*
Offers Date: Friday 13 February 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Friday 6 March 2026
*In order to best accommodate Exam Access Arrangements as prescribed for diagnosed SEND needs by external specialists, such as extra time, provision of touch typing, movement breaks and prompts, we may need to ask for boys to attend on Thursday 29 January 2026.
Senior Entry (Year 9)
We invite boys entering the Senior School to spend half a day with us, which includes lunch. As part of their visit, the boys will sit reasoning tests (verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative) and are asked to undertake some written English (writing and comprehension) and Maths work.
We also ask the boys to participate in some team tasks with other boys of a similar age and will conduct an informal interview. The assessment aims to ensure that the boys who join us will thrive in a selective school with high academic standards.
We ask parents to provide a copy of their son’s most recent school report. Before the assessment takes place, we will also contact each boy’s current school to ask for a reference.
Key Dates
Year 9
Registration Deadline: Friday 31 October 2025
Assessment Date: Friday 28 November 2025
Offers Date: Friday 16 January 2026
Acceptance Deadline: Monday 2 March 2026