Dulwich College (Singapore): A Comprehensive Overview

Dulwich College (Singapore) stands as a prominent international school, bringing a rich heritage of British independent school ethos to the heart of Singapore. Since its establishment in August 2014, the college has garnered a strong reputation for its academic selectivity, enhanced British curriculum, holistic education, and state-of-the-art facilities. With a diverse student body representing over 50 nationalities, Dulwich College (Singapore) provides a unique and enriching learning environment.

A Legacy of Excellence: The Dulwich College Heritage

Founded in 1619 by Edward Alleyn, a contemporary of William Shakespeare, Dulwich College in London began as a school for disadvantaged children. Over the centuries, it has evolved into one of the UK's leading independent schools, renowned for its iconic clocktower and expansive green campus in South London. This legacy of excellence, innovation, tradition, and values forms the foundation of Dulwich College (Singapore).

Academics: An Enhanced British Curriculum with a Global Perspective

Dulwich College (Singapore) is academically selective, adhering to an enhanced British curriculum tailored to the needs of its international student body. The curriculum is designed to bring out the best in every student, from the early years (Toddler to Year 2) to Junior School (Years 3 to 6) and Senior School (Years 7 to 13).

DUCKS: Early Years Foundation

In the DUCKS section (Toddler to Year 2, ages 2-7), the focus is on educating the whole child, progressing from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in Toddler, Nursery, and Reception to an enriched version of the English National Curriculum (ENC) in Years 1 and 2. The aim is to balance student self-guided exploration with explicit teaching of core competencies, particularly in reading, writing, phonics, maths, and Mandarin, ensuring that children meet developmental milestones and achieve their academic potential. Dulwich College was the first international school in Singapore to introduce Forest School, accredited by the UK's Forest School Learning Initiative (FSLI), into the DUCKS early years programme. Dulwich is pioneering the movement here to provide real world learning and problem-solving opportunities to young children in a natural environment. Forest School builds on the Nordic concept of ‘Friluftsliv’ (open-air living) - going back to the forest - where the landscape itself provides both the stimulus and the arena of learning and has myriad positive effects on children’s physical and mental wellbeing. Students from ages 2 to 7 are taught bilingually in English and Chinese.

Junior School: Building Critical Thinking Skills

As children move through the Junior School (Years 3 to 6, ages 7-11), the structure of the timetable changes in line with their developmental age. All children receive banded learning for mathematics and Mandarin, but remain with their class teacher for most lessons up to Year 5. In Year 6, in preparation for the transition to Senior School, children are taught by different subject teachers for each area of the curriculum. The emphasis in Junior School is not only on deeper learning and the mastery of academic content, but also on developing critical thinking skills and an academic character that inspires self-motivated learners and long-term success.

Read also: Future-Focused Learning at Dulwich

Senior School: Preparing for Future Pathways

The approach in Senior School (Years 7 to 13, ages 11-18) is to not only develop subject proficiency and skills, but also lifelong, transferable skills such as research, communication, thinking, social and self-management skills. This ensures students can take ownership of learning in school and life beyond, as well as developing a lifelong love of learning. In Years 7 and 8 the curriculum has been designed to develop individual subject-based skills and build knowledge and understanding to provide a strong foundation for the IGCSE, IB programmes and beyond. Dulwich College is the only school in Singapore to offer a 3-year IGCSE (International General Certificate of Education) programme which commences in Year 9, with a number of core and optional IGCSEs to choose from. Upper Senior School students can choose to follow either the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme or IB Career Related Pathway (IBCP) in the last two years before university. Within the IBCP, students have a choice of 6 different pathways to select. In Senior School Dulwich is on a mission to help students visualise their personal pathway so that they can confidently pursue the career path of their choice.

In Years 9, 10 and 11, students follow the IGCSE curriculum. At Years 12 and 13, students are able to select either the IB Diploma Programme or any of the 6 career pathways offered in the IB Career-related Programme. Additional modern foreign languages are offered in the Senior School.

Holistic Education: Beyond the Classroom

Dulwich College (Singapore) is committed to providing a holistic education that extends beyond academics. The college encourages students to participate in sporting competitions, with every child from the age of seven learning a musical instrument. The College's holistic education is complemented by rewarding co-curricular programmes.

Dual Language Programme and Language Acquisition

The College offers a dual language programme in English and Mandarin for students in Toddler to Year 2 (aged two to seven) and daily Mandarin classes, streamed according to ability from the age of four.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: A Conducive Learning Environment

Dulwich College (Singapore)'s purpose-built, state-of-the-art campus is designed with a ‘student-first’ approach. The educational environment is designed to nurture the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of students. The world-class facilities include three libraries, a Performing Arts Centre with three theatres, three swimming pools, sports fields, roof-top gardens, gymnasiums, three dining rooms and two coffee shops. Every classroom at the College is spacious, bright, ventilated and well furnished. The Performing Arts Centre features science and IT laboratories, suites of music and art rooms and four design and technology workshops. The gymnasium includes a fitness, weights and conditioning room. The campus is designed to be green, natural, spacious and airy to enhance the learning experience.

The Greenhouse: A Net-Zero Energy Building

In 2023, Dulwich College (Singapore) completed its final phase of campus development with the opening of The Greenhouse; an award-winning, seven-story, state-of-the-art, net-zero building. Work has just begun on a brand-new state-of-the-art seven-storey innovation hub which will include a 400-seat multi-purpose auditorium, a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths) workshop, professional teaching kitchen, film and media suites, three additional black box theatres, IT rooms, another gymnasium, tennis courts, a sports science laboratory and a two-storey IB library, workspaces, study rooms and social areas. This building will not only be Green Mark Platinum certified (the highest sustainable construction certification), but also a net-zero energy building.

Awards and Recognition: A Testament to Excellence

Dulwich College (Singapore)'s commitment to excellence has been recognized through numerous awards:

HoneyKids Asia Education Awards 2024: GOLD - Digital Technology in Learning Award, SILVER - International School with the Most Future-Ready Students
Building and Construction Authority (BCA): Project of the Year Award 2024 - The College received this award for the launch of The Greenhouse, Singapore's first ever international school net-zero energy building, receiving Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy certification.
2024 TES Awards for International Schools: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award, Sustainability Award

Global Connections and Partnerships

The close collaboration among the network of Colleges gives students unique opportunities to participate in events and benefit from the group's relationships with leading educational and artistic organisations. Dulwich College (Singapore) also provides the opportunity to participate in events around the world, such as the MADD (Music, Art, Drama, Dance) Festival, the Shackleton Lectures, the Student Leadership Conference, or the Dulwich Olympiad. In addition to innovative programs offered are the partnerships with practitioners from external organizations, such as the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), ISTA the International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA), and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). These practitioners come to Dulwich College (Singapore) to work with, share, and help the students better their techniques in performing arts.

Location and Accessibility

Located on the west of Singapore, Dulwich College (Singapore) is conveniently connected to and serviced by Singapore’s efficient network of public buses and mass rapid transport. An up-and-coming Mass Rapid Transport station, right across from the College, will be ready by 2027. Dulwich College (Singapore) is also a stone’s throw from the Jurong Lake Gardens district and Bukit Batok Nature Reserve-both beautiful locations for exercise and well-being.

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