'This is a place where I can be myself.' Dolphin Pupil
WELCOME
WhychooseDolphinSchool?
LocatedontheNorthcoteRoad,DolphinSchoolisasmall, independentco-educationalcharitabletrust,whichthriveson our motto: Love, Wisdom and Truth At the heart of our ethos, these values embody our approach to develop meaningful, authentic and powerful relationships with the childrenintheschool.Allourchildrenknoweachotherand theirteachersextremelywellinafamilyenvironmentwhich supports their educational and personal development, whetherjoiningusinournurseriesorleavingattheendof Year6.
Children leave Dolphin to attend many of the top schools in London and the home counties. We achieve our excellent results through a number of unique factors: Our classes are small and our rich knowledge of pupils allows us to focus on the detailed education of each child.
We pride ourselves on being a greenhouse and not a hothouse.
The warm, family nature of Dolphin School provides the children with space to explore their flourishing personalities, in a safe and affirming environment We have high expectations of behaviours for learning and a robust moral compass in our daily lives, and yet we balance academic rigour with creative learning, & physical development.
Dolphin School is a Christian School and our ethos centres around children discovering a living understanding of the Christian faith. Not all families at the school are Christian, but our values and the ‘ way we do life' has a humanity that speaks to our entire community in this modern world. The values we promote provide a framework for childen to navigate the challenges they may face.
I regularly hear that senior schools are able to spot a Dolphin pupil when they see one: caring, compassionate, supportive and witty. However, they are secretly ambitious, value integrity and truth, whilst also going that extra mile to inspire others to also achieve.
Mrs Lucy Price, Headteacher
The Great Outdoors
‘I love that my children play on real grass every day!’
Dolphin Parent
‘We are so incredibly grateful to all the staff at Dolphin- not only for their amazing teaching, but also their wonderful nurturing approach and confidence building.’
Dolphin Parent
Hear from a pupil!
I thoroughly enjoyed the assemblyMr Gosden is brilliant and his rapport with the children is golden. It’s been interesting hearing how it has all compared to her current school experience and I’m just sad we didn’t consider this move sooner.
Current Parent - 2023
Dolphin is a school which prizes relationships highly, a place where joy is found in daily interactions and in sharing life together. Here, we make the time to chat, to soak up a smile, to light a birthday candle, to cheer on our home team, and to celebrate all that makes up the richness and wonder of school life.
That richness and wonder was part of the plan for Dolphin School from the beginning. 'Love, Wisdom, Truth’ became the threefold motto of the school, focusing on the ‘how’ of relationships and the purpose of learning.
The heart of Dolphin – the DNA of the place – reflects the Christian values that underpin it and the people who are drawn to it. The ethos of the school continues to find fresh expression in both old and new ventures – academic, creative, sporting, spiritual and community.
Adam Woodcraft, Director of Ethos
HappyAA word from our parents.
We chose Dolphin School and couldn't be happier Dolphin's approach is very child-centred - the academics are a core focus, but each child's strengths, including sports, music, drama and art, are also nurtured and celebrated.
Challenged. Community.
They instilled a love for learning, quiet confidence in his abilities and an interest in the world around him as well as opportunities to play the sports he loves so much. Because Dolphin is one of the smaller schools, every child gets the chance to shine in their own way, participate in sports matches, class assemblies, school council etc , which rounds up a very healthy, holistic approach to teaching
Genuine.
We had a very positive experience with Dolphin School, whose status as a trust made it more attractive to us than other [for-profit] schools as did its small size, which we believe was a key factor in our child's success at the 11+.
My two children are so happy there - it's a small school with a fantastic ethos, amazing community spirit, and offers an all-round excellent education (as the recent inspection report shows!) Worth every penny for us.
Thrive
We have had our 3 girls at dolphin for 3 years now and have been blown away by how they are able to focus in on each of their unique talents My one daughter in particular lives for drama and creative writing and the school has championed her (even more than us!) with this.
Source: Nappyvalleynet com
Book a visit by completing our online enquiry form or contact our Admissions Registrar, Mrs Benson.
Talk to other parents?
For entry beyond Reception, children are invited to the school for a Trial Day. (We are non-selective for children joining us in Reception)
Tour with the head Meet pupils See lessons in action
After your initial visit, complete an application form and return it with the registration fee.
Come to an assembly? Receive our newsletter? Organise a playdate!
The school will be in contact with regard to an offer of a place.
Q A&
at Dolphin School
Is there an entry assessment for my child and what is the process for offering places?
At Reception level we do not hold assessments. We offer places a year in advance to those registered - siblings first, then Noah’s Ark children, then on a first come first served basis. However, for children joining mid-year and higher up the school, we require reports and a Trial Day where we do internal assessments. We will then decide on whether an offer can be made Dolphin School welcomes children who would thrive in a mainstream environment.
What size are the classes?
This varies year to year; however, we aim to limit the classes to around 16, smaller than local prep schools.
How are new children and parents helped to integrate?
We are used to having new children join at various stages, from a variety of countries, so the children and staff are very welcoming and make huge efforts to get to know a child and to include them in all aspects of school lifeboth academically and socially It is a real plus that our classes are not too big so new children feel at home very quickly, as a quote from a current parent of a new child shows“Honestly, it’s such a wonderful school, my son has come out every day this week saying he has had the best day ever Thank you all for making him feel so welcome”. Our Parents of Dolphin (POD) class reps will get in touch with you to make sure that you as parents also feel welcomed and involved in the Dolphin community - a community which is diverse, international and inclusive.
Where do they have their aktimes and how often do they go out?
Children have two daily playtimes on Wandsworth Common, a short walk from the school, which is where the Reception class also have their daily outdoor learning activities - all come rain or shine!
‘Honestly, it’s such a wonderful school, my son has come out every day this week saying, “he has had the best day ever”!’
New Dolphin Parent New Dolphin Parent
How much homework is there?
This is age dependent. Homework is set from Thursday and usually consists of Maths, English a subject. Year One is expected to do 10 minutes, Yea minutes, Year Three – 30 minutes and so on. Home set at the weekend in order to maximize family tim and to promote positive mental health at the weeken
What is the food provision?
We have delicious organic hot lunches served daily on a tri-weekly menu rotation provided by a local Italian restaurant, Al Gusto
Immersivelearning!
Do the children go on trips?
Yes, the children enjoy enriching and varied trips, both day and residential (depending on their age). The classes go on between 3 to 5 outings or trips per year Please see the website for further information.
Strength in the Creative Arts
When does school begin and end?
The school day runs from 08.30 to 15.30 for the Lower School and 08 30 to 15 45 for the Upper School, unless children are attending a club in which case the pick-up times are 16.30 and 16.50. We currently offer Early Bird drop off at 08 00
What is the co-curricular & after school care provision?
There are over 25 clubs on offer each week, ranging from robotics, chess, music ensembles and choirs, dance, languages, sports and academic clubs throughout the day.
There is a complimentary early birds session (at 08:00) and paid for after school care until 18:00. We use our own staff for after school care who support homework tasks and help communicate between teachers and parents to ensure homework is completed meaningfully - and then support the children to play and relax in a structured environment
‘100% of parents felt that the school equips their child with the team working, collaborative and research skills they need in later life.’
ISI Inspection 2022
DolphinSchool
LEAVERS'DESTINATIONSANDOFFERS
*Schools where scholarships were offered
2022
Alleyn's School
Bedales Prep, Dunhurst
Broomwood Hall
Charterhouse School
Dulwich College
Emanuel School
Epsom College
Ewell Castle School
Francis Holland School
Fulham Senior School
Hall School Wimbledon
Hazlegrove School*
Ibstock Place
James Allen's Girls' School
Kew House School
Lancing College
Northcote Lodge
Northwood Senior
Royal Russell School*
St John’s Leatherhead
Sherbourne Girls
Streatham & Clapham High*
Sydenham High School
Thames Christian School
Thomas’s Battersea Square
Thomas's Clapham
Trinity School
Whitgift School
Woldingham School*
Winchester College
2023
Alleyn's School*
Broomwood Hall
Emanuel School*
Francis Holland School
Fulham Boys School
Grey Coat Hospital
James Allen's Girls' School
Kew House School
King's College School
London Park School
Marymount School
More House*
Radnor House
Streatham & Clapham High
Thames Christian School*
Trinity School*
Woldingham School
2024
ACS Cobham
Alleyn's School*
Box Hill School*
Caterham School*
Dubai English Speaking College
Dulwich College*
Dunottar School
Emanuel School*
Epsom College
Ewell Castle School*
Ibstock Place
Jumeirah College
Kew House School
King's College School*
Kingston Grammar School
Lancing School
Nord Anglia School
Streatham & Clapham High*
Royal Grammar School Guildford
Dubai
Royal Russell School
St James Boys’ School*
St John’s Leatherhead*
Thames Christian School*
The Hall, Wimbledon
Thomas’ Clapham
Trinity School
Woldingham School
Westminster School