Dulwich College Prep School (DCPS) is one of South London's most prominent and well-regarded prep schools, closely linked to Dulwich College — one of the UK's leading independent schools. Entry is available at 7+ (Year 3) and 8+ (Year 4) for boys, and for many South London families in Dulwich, Herne Hill, West Norwood and beyond, DCPS is a top priority.
About Dulwich College Prep School
DCPS is located on Alleyn Park, SE21 — close to but separate from the Dulwich College senior campus. It educates around 800 boys from the age of 3 (Nursery) through to Year 8, after which the majority progress to Dulwich College, with some boys also moving to other selective senior schools via Common Entrance.
The school is notable for its size and breadth: a strong academic programme sits alongside one of the best junior sports offerings in London, plus extensive music, drama and art. The culture is competitive but supportive, and DCPS is known for developing well-rounded boys who perform both in the classroom and on the field.
The 7+ assessment
The 7+ assessment takes place in January of Year 2. Registration opens in the autumn of Year 1 — typically September or October — and families should register promptly as spaces fill quickly. The assessment includes:
- Reasoning activities — verbal and non-verbal reasoning tasks that assess logical thinking and pattern recognition. These are designed to identify academic potential beyond what boys have been formally taught.
- Reading — boys are asked to read aloud and demonstrate comprehension. DCPS looks for boys who are reading fluently and who show genuine engagement with text.
- Mathematical activities — number tasks and practical problem-solving. Boys should be secure in mental arithmetic and show an ability to work through simple problems methodically.
- Group activities — observation sessions in small groups. The school assesses how boys communicate, collaborate and approach unfamiliar tasks.
The 8+ entry (for Year 4) follows a similar format and is assessed the following year. Families who miss the 7+ registration or who feel their child needs more time can consider the 8+ as an alternative route.
How selective is it?
DCPS at 7+ is very competitive, drawing candidates from across South East London, Dulwich, Herne Hill, Peckham and further afield. The school has approximately 50–60 places at 7+ across two forms, but demand consistently exceeds availability. Boys who receive offers typically combine strong reasoning ability with good reading and number skills.
When to start preparation
Preparation for the January Year 2 assessment typically begins in September of Year 1. For boys who are behind in reading or number skills, earlier intervention — even in the summer of Reception — is advisable to ensure they are at the right level by the time the assessment comes around.
Weekly tutor sessions from September to January are usually sufficient, provided the sessions are well structured and tailored to the specific areas where a boy needs development. Parents can support this at home through daily reading and informal number work.
What to work on
- Reading fluency and enjoyment. Boys who read widely and with pleasure at home typically perform well in the reading component. Build a daily reading habit and choose books that interest your child, not just books that are easy.
- Reasoning format familiarity. Non-verbal reasoning (patterns, shapes, sequences) is the area where boys most often benefit from structured practice before the assessment, simply because it looks unfamiliar. A few weeks of exposure to NVR questions removes the element of surprise.
- Mental arithmetic. Addition and subtraction within 100, counting in 2s, 3s, 5s and 10s, simple multiplication concepts, and number pattern recognition. Maths puzzles and games are enjoyable ways to build this at home.
- Writing for pleasure. Short written pieces — stories, descriptions, responses to a picture or prompt — build confidence on the page. The goal at 6–7 is expression and ideas; technical accuracy improves with practice.
- Social confidence. The group activities observe how boys interact. Team sports, group classes and structured play all help develop the social confidence that makes the group component feel natural rather than intimidating.
The pathway to Dulwich College
Most boys who join DCPS at 7+ progress to Dulwich College at 13+ via Common Entrance or the college's own scholarship process. A small number move to other senior schools. For families who have Dulwich College as a long-term goal, the 7+ entry to DCPS is the most natural pathway — and avoids the highly competitive 11+ route from external prep schools.
Dulwich College also has 11+ entry for boys from maintained schools, offering another route if the 7+ is not successful.
Finding a tutor for the DCPS 7+
South London has a strong pool of specialist 7+ tutors who know the DCPS and Dulwich College entry landscape well. The best tutors combine academic expertise with an ability to make preparation enjoyable for young children — critical at an age where anxiety can undermine genuine ability.
Browse tutors with 7+ experience in South London, or search the parent portal by exam type and location.