Ethos, Aims & Values - Dulwich Prep & Senior
Source: https://dulwichprepsenior.org.uk/about-us/about-us/ethos-aims-values
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:33
Ethos, Aims & Values - Dulwich Prep & Senior
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About Us
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Ethos, Aims & Values
Our Ethos
For our children, school is about more than preparing for exams; it is preparation for life. We believe that an education rooted in teaching character sets our pupils apart. Our values-led ethos creates the foundation for possibility in each child’s mind, heart, and spirit. It is this values-driven approach that creates Dulwich Prep & Senior’s special atmosphere.
Our Aims
1) Inspiring Excellence & Developing Character
We inspire excellence in all pursuits while challenging and nurturing pupils as they discover their talents, measuring our greatest success in their character development.
2) Prioritising Wellbeing, Learning & Enrichment
We prioritise pupil wellbeing, happiness, and belonging as paramount to success. Through exceptional pastoral care and dynamic academic and co-curricular programmes, pupils experience the very best education while building lifelong friendships.
3) Empowering Future-Ready & Responsible World Citizens
We prepare pupils for today and tomorrow by instilling environmental awareness and empowering them to become upstanders and responsible world citizens equipped for their future roles in society.
Our Values
The eight core values that we uphold were originally identified by the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, ‘a pioneering interdisciplinary research centre focusing on character, virtues and values in the interest of human flourishing…’ because that is exactly what we want; for our children to flourish.
Our Values are Love, Courage, Gratitude, Humility, Justice, Service, Self-Discipline, and Honesty. Through these values (in our Nursery & Reception we refer to these as Golden Values) we teach our pupils how to be kind and offer help where it is needed; to play fair and tell the truth no matter who is listening; to join in and play their part whilst letting others be heard; to appreciate the world around them and how valuable their contribution is and always to have a go.
In addition to underpinning social and emotional development, our school values help us to actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
We advocate the transformative power of love and service. We encourage our pupils to make heartfelt contributions that uplift others. This fosters an environment where pupils support one another, building a culture of mutual respect and collaboration. Through acts of kindness and selfless service, our collective passion creates a ripple effect that enriches lives and spreads joy far beyond our school. By acting with Love & Service, these values create our home for kindness and community.
We inspire our pupils to pursue their aspirations with unwavering courage and seize every opportunity to learn and grow. We cultivate self-discipline in our pupils, encouraging them to prioritise long-term achievements over short-term gratifications. They learn to take responsibility for their actions, seek help when needed, and strive for excellence in all they do. By acting with Courage & Self-Discipline, these values create our passion for excellence and growth.
We champion honesty and justice, urging our children to embrace truth and authenticity in all aspects of their lives. We empower our pupils to act with integrity, be upstanding in their beliefs, and communicate their perspectives respectfully. Our pupils develop a strong sense of justice, understanding and advocating for what is right. By acting with Honesty & Justice, these values create our spirit for bravery and integrity.
We teach our pupils to empathise with others, to be respectful, and to be accepting of others’ perspectives. We ensure that everyone feels valued within our close-knit community and that our children understand that greater satisfaction can come from helping others. Our pupils understand the power of gratitude and humility and how they are key to having a happy and fulfilling life. By acting with Gratitude & Humility, these values create our mindset for respect and appreciation.
Skip to main content
Skip to footer
About Us
Head Master’s Welcome
Ethos, Aims & Values
Staff & Governors
Campus & Facilities
Academic Results
Pastoral & Wellbeing
Policy & Inspection
Working at DPS
EDI & Belonging
Ethos, Aims & Values
Our Ethos
For our children, school is about more than preparing for exams; it is preparation for life. We believe that an education rooted in teaching character sets our pupils apart. Our values-led ethos creates the foundation for possibility in each child’s mind, heart, and spirit. It is this values-driven approach that creates Dulwich Prep & Senior’s special atmosphere.
Our Aims
1) Inspiring Excellence & Developing Character
We inspire excellence in all pursuits while challenging and nurturing pupils as they discover their talents, measuring our greatest success in their character development.
2) Prioritising Wellbeing, Learning & Enrichment
We prioritise pupil wellbeing, happiness, and belonging as paramount to success. Through exceptional pastoral care and dynamic academic and co-curricular programmes, pupils experience the very best education while building lifelong friendships.
3) Empowering Future-Ready & Responsible World Citizens
We prepare pupils for today and tomorrow by instilling environmental awareness and empowering them to become upstanders and responsible world citizens equipped for their future roles in society.
Our Values
The eight core values that we uphold were originally identified by the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, ‘a pioneering interdisciplinary research centre focusing on character, virtues and values in the interest of human flourishing…’ because that is exactly what we want; for our children to flourish.
Our Values are Love, Courage, Gratitude, Humility, Justice, Service, Self-Discipline, and Honesty. Through these values (in our Nursery & Reception we refer to these as Golden Values) we teach our pupils how to be kind and offer help where it is needed; to play fair and tell the truth no matter who is listening; to join in and play their part whilst letting others be heard; to appreciate the world around them and how valuable their contribution is and always to have a go.
In addition to underpinning social and emotional development, our school values help us to actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
We advocate the transformative power of love and service. We encourage our pupils to make heartfelt contributions that uplift others. This fosters an environment where pupils support one another, building a culture of mutual respect and collaboration. Through acts of kindness and selfless service, our collective passion creates a ripple effect that enriches lives and spreads joy far beyond our school. By acting with Love & Service, these values create our home for kindness and community.
We inspire our pupils to pursue their aspirations with unwavering courage and seize every opportunity to learn and grow. We cultivate self-discipline in our pupils, encouraging them to prioritise long-term achievements over short-term gratifications. They learn to take responsibility for their actions, seek help when needed, and strive for excellence in all they do. By acting with Courage & Self-Discipline, these values create our passion for excellence and growth.
We champion honesty and justice, urging our children to embrace truth and authenticity in all aspects of their lives. We empower our pupils to act with integrity, be upstanding in their beliefs, and communicate their perspectives respectfully. Our pupils develop a strong sense of justice, understanding and advocating for what is right. By acting with Honesty & Justice, these values create our spirit for bravery and integrity.
We teach our pupils to empathise with others, to be respectful, and to be accepting of others’ perspectives. We ensure that everyone feels valued within our close-knit community and that our children understand that greater satisfaction can come from helping others. Our pupils understand the power of gratitude and humility and how they are key to having a happy and fulfilling life. By acting with Gratitude & Humility, these values create our mindset for respect and appreciation.