Mon Sep 6 2010

The History of DCPS

At the invitation of the then Master of Dulwich College, DCPS first opened its doors to sixteen pupils in January 1885. Links with the College are strong but the school has never been an integral part of it, despite its name. Such was its reputation that within two years numbers had risen to 83. Today it has become one of the most prestigious preparatory schools in the country.

The school, which moved to its present site in 1893, enjoyed a period of steady growth and stability during the first part of the last century but the war period brought problems. In 1939 the school evacuated to Cranbrook in Kent, but because of a risk of invasion it moved again, and for the duration was at Betws-y-Coed in North Wales. A small sub-section reopened in London in 1940. Despite considerable upheaval and the hardships of the time, the school returned to Dulwich and steadily regained its pre-war reputation. Although principally a day school, a permanent home for boarders was acquired in 1945 at Brightlands in Gallery Road.
 

In 1956 the school became a charitable Educational Trust, thus securing its future. Since then more land has been acquired, new buildings constructed and old ones totally renovated. All levels of the school now have modern facilities, among these being a spacious teaching block called The Betws Building, a 25 metre swimming pool, a self contained music school and most recently a fully equipped sports hall. A new nursery school was opened at Brightlands in 2007. It can justifiably be said that the school has facilities which are the envy of many. It is impossible to predict the future, but there can be no doubt that the governors will strive to maintain the school’s pre-eminent position among preparatory schools.

Dulwich and Beyond

Dulwich and BeyondWritten by the school’s archivist, Neil Smith, Dulwich and Beyond is a non-profit making book which traces the school’s history back to its early beginnings in 1885. By being a former pupil, teacher and housemaster at Brightlands, Neil Smith has an unrivalled knowledge of the Prep, and the book is written in his own characteristic style.
It is A4 in size, is well illustrated and contains over 350 pages. The book is not available in bookshops, but copies can be obtained from the Art Stationers in Dulwich Village, the Commissariat at Dulwich College and from DCPS itself. The cost is £20, plus £5 for p&p, and copies can be ordered through the school using the accompanying pro-forma.

Email dulwichandbeyond@dcpslondon.org  or download the order form.