Frequently asked questions

Most children join us in Reception, the September after turning 4. A second common entry point is at 7+ into Year 3, and there are sometimes opportunities to apply for chance vacancies in other year groups. Please email admissions@syd.gdst.net to find out about spaces in your daughter’s year group. This year we have a bulge year of three forms in Year 5, owing to popularity.

We are a selective school, and there are assessments at all entry point, though these are age appropriate and will include an interview with the parent for the younger entry points. Please do not worry if you feel that your daughter has not quite hit her academic stride at aged 3. We are experts in assessing the potential of every girl, and our Leadership Team will also speak with your daughter’s current nursery or school for a more accurate picture.

Currently we do not have financial assistance available in the Junior School. We offer bursaries (means-tested) and scholarships for Year 7 and Year 12 entry. Please see our Senior School fees, bursaries and scholarships area for more information.

We are selective, and expect girls to make good progress throughout their time here. We also understand that girls should not be judged solely on outcomes but on their own personal development. We are proud to offer strong value added to all of our girls, and have regularly been in the top schools in the GDST by this measure. Our girls are also well-rounded through all of the co-curricular and supra-curricular activities on offer, instilling a love of learning and exploration.

We are usually a two-form entry at the Junior School, with the maximum class size of 22 up to Year 2 and 24 from Year 3 to Year 6.

At Sydenham & Dulwich Girls’ Junior School our co-curricular offering is called Mind, Body & Soul, with clubs and activities focused on targeting each of these areas. In addition to a wide range of sport, music, art and drama activities, we offer an extensive range of clubs which change on a termly basis. These include activities such as debating, philosophy, fencing, calligraphy and chess. All teacher-run clubs are available for no additional charge. LAMDA, Ballet, Tap lessons, Gems Performing Arts, Spanish and Circus skills club are run by external providers at a charge.

We are well connected by TfL rail and bus routes and we encourage walking or cycling to school wherever possible. However, we serve pupils from a wide catchment area and in order to offer parents the most flexibility we can, we currently operate 9 minibus routes, a late bus at 5pm and a chaperoned Pre-Prep bus. The exact routes are coordinated each summer for the following year, depending on the needs of the pupils and to minimise travel time. Full details of our minibus service can be found here.

Girls are welcome on site from 7.30am but the school day begins at 8.25am and ends at 3.30pm, with clubs running from 4-5pm. We provide a Wraparound Care facility for all Junior School pupils from 7.30am each morning (Breakfast Club) until 6.00pm every evening (After School Club).