Al Risalah Boys' School
Same Southwark area with a comparable local commute
School profile
Verified 18 August 2026
Dulwich Prep & Senior is a private secondary-stage school in Southwark, Greater London, with a published age range of 2-16.
Private school Boys Ages 2-16 No sixth form listed Boarding school
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 2-16
- ISI ?
- Standards met
- Boarding ?
- Boarding school
Dulwich Prep & Senior
1
On this page
At a glance
Key facts
- Sector
- Private school
- Gender
- Boys only
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 2-16
- Boarding ?
- Boarding school
- Route check
- Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
- ISI ?
- Standards met
Overview
Overview
Thomas Mason opened the school in 1885 for thirteen pupils; the present Dulwich Prep & Senior has grown into a boys' through-school whose senior section opened in 2025. That recent move changes the route for pupils who want to stay through GCSE: Years 9 to 11 now sit alongside the established prep stages, with a shared academic and co-curricular life.
English, mathematics and science anchor the curriculum, supported by ISEB-based science, languages, computing, creative arts, physical education and enrichment. The senior years add a clear route towards GCSE study, while the earlier stages build habits through subject teaching, practical work and opportunities to explore interests beyond the core timetable.
More than 150 clubs and activity sessions run across sport, music, creative work, academic interests and cognitive enrichment. Residentials begin in Year 3, with London visits, overseas trips, charity projects, library work and performance giving school life a communal, outward-looking quality. Flexi, weekly and termly boarding are available from Years 3 to 8.
Admissions are direct and vary by stage. Fledglings entry uses registration and, when necessary, a ballot; Nursery and Reception involve meetings, school information and age-appropriate assessment. Years 9 to 11 applicants can register, visit and discuss the senior route with admissions, while bursary information is available separately.
Key points
Key points
- Assessment route
- Applications are made directly to the school. Check the school's own admissions pages for registration dates, entrance assessment stages, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
- Places and demand
- Published Year 7 place numbers and applicant-per-place data are not included in GIAS for this private-school seed profile.
- Catchment
- Private-school eligibility is not controlled by the local-authority grammar catchment model; check boarding, day-pupil, transport and any sibling or faith rules on the school site.
- Results
- Independent-school performance data is patchier in official releases, so GCSE and A-level comparisons should be checked against the school's published results.
School details
School details
- Sector
- Private school
- School type
- Other independent school
- Funding
- Independent fee-paying
- Application
- Apply direct to school
- Gender
- Boys only
- Age range
- 2-16
- Headteacher
- Miss Louise Davidson
- Pupil roll
- 808 pupils
- Sixth form
- No
- Boarding
- Boarding school
Location and contact
Location and contact
Address
- Address
- 38-42 ALLEYN PARK, LONDON, Greater London
- Postcode
- SE21 7AA
- Area
- Southwark
School leadership
- Headteacher
- Miss Louise Davidson
School contact
- School phone
- 02087665500
Admissions contact
- Admissions team
- Admissions
- Admissions phone
- 02087665500
Admissions
Admissions
- Application route
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 2-16
- Gender
- Boys only
- Boarding
- Boarding school
- Day fees
- Check school fees page
- Boarding fees
- Check school fees page
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Check school site
- Entrance details
- Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Admissions note
- GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
Oversubscription and eligibility
Use the official admissions policy for the current priority order and eligibility rules.
Exam and test format
Exam and test format
Entrance route and assessment
Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Assessment route
- Apply direct to school
Application
Application
How to apply
- 1
Apply direct to the school
Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
Check school admissions
Official admissions documents
Inspection
Inspection
Standards met
Latest inspection: 2 December 2025
- Leadership, management and governance
- Standards met
- Quality of education, training and recreation
- Standards met
- Physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Standards met
- Social and economic education and contribution to society
- Standards met
- Safeguarding
- Standards met
Quick summary
- Latest ISI report: Routine Inspections 2025 records an inspection beginning 2 December 2025. The report says the relevant standards were met.
Similar schools and comparisons
Similar schools and comparisons
Nearby schools families also consider
Local rivals appear first, followed by nearby alternatives where the journey and admissions route are still comparable.
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Same Southwark area with a comparable local commute
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London East Academy
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Nearby schools with similar results
Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.
London Islamic School
Nearby option with a similar Ofsted and sixth-form picture
Mazahirul Uloom London School
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Hafs Academy
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Shortlist comparisons
Related pages and guides
Related pages and guides
Area and ranking pages
Guides and related reading
Related guides are still being added.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does Dulwich Prep & Senior handle admissions?
Dulwich Prep & Senior handles applications directly. Check the school website for registration dates, entrance assessments, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
How do I apply to Dulwich Prep & Senior?
1. Apply direct to the school: Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
When are the key dates for Dulwich Prep & Senior?
Use the school admissions page to confirm registration, assessment, interview and offer dates.
What does the latest inspection picture look like for Dulwich Prep & Senior?
Dulwich Prep & Senior is currently rated Standards met following the latest published inspection dated 2 December 2025.