Oakfield stands apart as the only independent preparatory school in the Dulwich area without an attached secondary school, allowing it to focus entirely on preparing children aged 2 to 11 for their transition to the most suitable senior school. Led by Head Mrs Gemma Davies, the school occupies a spacious campus built around four Victorian villas on Thurlow Park Road, blending historical architecture with modern facilities. The school's unique Oakfield Diploma, completed by all Year 6 pupils in their final term, consolidates the values and life skills developed throughout their time at the school through challenges in leadership, citizenship, well-being, and performance. Recent affiliation with the Alleyn's Schools Group brings enhanced resources and collaboration while maintaining Oakfield's distinctive identity. With two or three classes per year and an average class size of 16 pupils, the school offers personalised learning focused on academic excellence, character development, and superb provision across sport, art, and music.
Oakfield Academy opened its doors in 1887 in a villa that now houses Years 4 to 6, initially serving the daughters of local families during the Victorian era. The school expanded across multiple properties in Dulwich, including Thurlow Grange at Croxted Road and Thurlow Park Road, which operated as a finishing school for young women, and the building now known as Rosemead, which served as Dulwich High School until 1939 before being used by the Old Vic theatre school, training actors such as Olivier, Gielgud, and Richardson. The property later returned to educational use as John Wycliffe School, Oakfield's former secondary division, before the school refocused entirely on primary education.
The school's ethos centres on helping children "be the best that they can be" through a holistic approach that combines academic rigour with diverse co-curricular opportunities. Oakfield emphasises traditional values such as courtesy, respect, and resilience alongside modern pedagogical approaches that prioritise personalised learning and individual development. The school serves a diverse community of pupils from varied backgrounds and nationalities, fostering an inclusive environment where every child is known and valued. The recent integration with the Alleyn's Schools Group in September 2025 represents a significant milestone, providing access to enhanced facilities, professional development, and collaboration while preserving Oakfield's distinctive character and identity.
The atmosphere is nurturing and aspirational, with an emphasis on building confidence and developing well-rounded individuals. Pupils benefit from wraparound care available from 7:40am to 6:00pm daily, reflecting the school's commitment to supporting busy families. The school's location in West Dulwich provides a leafy, suburban setting with excellent transport links and access to the wider cultural opportunities of South London.
Oakfield delivers an academically rigorous curriculum across core subjects, with specialist teaching introduced progressively. Pupils receive specialist instruction in Music & Drama, Art, Spanish, and Physical Education from the early years, with specialist teachers for all subjects by Year 6. The school's 2022 ISI inspection awarded 'Excellent' in all categories, noting that "pupils show high levels of achievement in relation to their abilities and make strong progress across all ages." Standardised scores in mathematics and English exceed national expectations, reflecting strong progress across the age range.
The ISI report highlighted that pupils demonstrate excellent attitudes toward learning, showing high levels of engagement, confidence, and collaboration in lessons. Detailed planning and comprehensive strategies enable significant progress for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), supported by a full-time qualified SENCO and two part-time qualified specialist teachers who plan and co-ordinate specialist support. The inspection identified one area for development: enhancing outcomes for the most able pupils by challenging them further to apply higher-order thinking skills.
In Early Years, 97% of pupils achieved a good level of development in 2022, demonstrating the school's strong foundation in the youngest years. The school's commitment to supporting each child's individual journey is evident in its approach to secondary school transitions. Of the 86 Year 6 leavers in a recent cohort, 87% achieved offers and 30% were offered scholarships, reflecting both the school's academic strength and its success in preparing pupils for selective entry. The school works closely with parents to establish the academic and pastoral suitability of future schools for each child, ensuring that every pupil is well-placed for the next stage of their journey.
Approximately 75% of leavers progress to one of 20 independent day schools, with the balance attending grammar schools and other maintained schools. The most popular destinations are St Dunstan's College, Sydenham High School, and Streatham & Clapham High School, which together account for 25% of leavers. Other destinations include Alleyn's School, Dulwich College, James Allen's Girls' School (JAGS), and selective grammar schools such as Nonsuch High School and Wallington County Grammar.
Oakfield occupies a spacious campus built around four magnificent Victorian villas, providing a blend of historic charm and modern learning spaces. The school offers fantastic buildings and spacious outdoor playgrounds, allowing children to make the most of their experience both inside and outside the classroom. Specialist facilities support the school's strong provision in music, drama, art, and sport, enabling pupils to explore their talents across a broad range of disciplines.
The co-curricular programme is extensive and varied. Pupils can choose from between 5 and 10 different extra-curricular activities each term, with clubs running at lunchtimes and after school, led by both staff and external professionals. The programme rotates termly, allowing children to explore diverse interests including sports, music, art, cooking, and academic enrichment. Wraparound care operates from 7:40am to 6:00pm daily, providing flexible options for families.
Sport is a particular strength. The school employs specialist PE teachers throughout and offers between 10 and 15 different sports over the course of the year, including football, rugby, netball, hockey, cricket, athletics, gymnastics, swimming, and cross-country. Competitive teams begin in Year 3, and in recent years the school has enjoyed national success in football and gymnastics. All pupils have opportunities to represent the school in matches and competitions, fostering teamwork and sportsmanship.
Music and drama thrive at Oakfield. The school aims to give every child varied experiences in performance, with opportunities for all pupils to participate in productions, concerts, and assemblies. All pupils learn an instrument in class lessons, and approximately one third take additional instrumental lessons from Year 3. The school maintains two choirs, an orchestra, and several instrumental ensembles suitable for all abilities, including jazz band and pop group options. Drama education focuses on building confidence and improving articulation, listening, and communication skills both individually and in groups. Multiple productions run throughout the academic year across different age groups, and LAMDA classes are available for children displaying further interest. In April 2020, the school won Best Musical at the ISA Drama Competition for their performance of Matilda, triumphing over other prestigious schools including specialist performing arts institutions. In 2023, pupils achieved 48 merits and distinctions in LAMDA musical theatre examinations.
Residential trips form an important part of the Oakfield experience, beginning in Year 4. Year 6 pupils enjoy a week-long sailing trip in Poole harbour during the summer term, providing an active and memorable conclusion to their primary school journey. Regular educational trips, visiting speakers, and special events enrich the curriculum throughout the year.
All Year 6 pupils complete the unique Oakfield Diploma in their final term after receiving senior school offers. This programme represents the culmination of values and life skills developed throughout their time at the school. The Diploma consists of a busy and varied programme of activities designed to test and encourage leadership, co-operation, creativity, confidence, and personal and social responsibility. It encompasses strands including academic challenges, sporting activities, citizenship projects, life skills development, well-being initiatives, peer mentoring, community service, and performance challenges. The Diploma provides Year 6 leavers with a memorable and meaningful way to consolidate their growth and prepare for the transition to secondary education.
Oakfield operates a direct admissions process managed by the school. Main entry points are at 4+, 7+, and 9+, with the application deadline typically falling in early November for the following September entry. The school also accepts applications for occasional vacancies at 5+, 6+, 8+, and 10+ throughout the year, with assessments scheduled in November and places potentially available in January, April, or September.
Prospective families register through the Alleyn's application portal, completing separate forms depending on UK or overseas residence. The school charges a non-refundable registration fee of £85. Once registered, the Deputy Business Manager arranges an assessment for the child, designed to evaluate readiness to settle and flourish within the school's environment and academic pace. The assessment also provides children with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the school site, meet peers, and begin forming friendships.
While the school describes itself as non-selective, entry includes a previous school report and an assessment or entry test. The school seeks children who will thrive in its aspirational, nurturing environment and benefit from its holistic educational approach. Families interested in applying should review the school's Admissions Policy, FAQ document, and Entrance Exam Access Arrangements Policy, which clarify selection criteria, testing procedures, and support available for children requiring accommodations.
As an independent school, Oakfield does not operate within local authority catchment areas and draws pupils from across South London and surrounding boroughs. The school's location in West Dulwich is well-served by public transport, with proximity to West Dulwich station and several bus routes, making it accessible to families from Lambeth, Southwark, Croydon, Lewisham, and beyond.
Competition for places varies by entry point and year, with 4+ and 7+ representing the most popular entry stages. Families are encouraged to register early and arrange school visits to experience the atmosphere firsthand. The school holds regular open mornings and welcomes prospective families for individual tours by appointment. For admissions enquiries, families may contact admissions@oakfield.dulwich.sch.uk or telephone 020 8670 4206.
Oakfield Preparatory School offers a warm, academically strong environment where children aged 2 to 11 benefit from small classes, specialist teaching, and a rich co-curricular programme rooted in over 130 years of educational tradition. The school's 'Excellent' ISI rating confirms its success in delivering high achievement and strong progress across all ages, with pupils demonstrating excellent attitudes to learning and engagement. The recent affiliation with the Alleyn's Schools Group from September 2025 opens new opportunities for collaboration, resources, and professional development while maintaining Oakfield's distinctive character as the only standalone preparatory school in the Dulwich area.
For families seeking a nurturing yet aspirational independent primary education in South London, Oakfield presents a compelling option. The school's focus on preparing each child for the secondary school that best fits their individual needs—rather than channelling pupils to a single senior school—provides flexibility and personalised guidance during the crucial transition at 11+. Strong scholarship success, with 30% of leavers achieving awards, and excellent progression to leading independent day schools and selective grammar schools demonstrate the school's academic effectiveness.
The breadth of provision in sport, music, and drama stands out, with national competition success in sport and an ISA Drama Competition Best Musical award reflecting genuine excellence beyond the classroom. The Oakfield Diploma provides a meaningful culmination of primary education, consolidating life skills, leadership, and values in a structured yet varied programme. Facilities across the Victorian villa campus are well-maintained, and wraparound care from early morning to 6:00pm supports working families.
The school's ISI inspection identified one area for development: challenging the most able pupils to apply higher-order thinking skills. While academic outcomes are strong overall, families with highly gifted children may wish to discuss how the school plans to address this recommendation. Fees ranging from £6,440 to £6,780 per term (including lunches) place Oakfield in the mid-range for London independent preparatory schools, representing reasonable value given the breadth of provision and small class sizes.
Oakfield Preparatory School is well-suited to families who value a nurturing, community-focused environment with strong academic foundations, rich extracurricular opportunities, and a genuine commitment to knowing and developing each child as an individual. The school's recent integration into the Alleyn's family adds a new dimension of support and opportunity while preserving the warm, inclusive ethos that has characterised Oakfield for more than a century.
Yes, Oakfield Preparatory School received an 'Excellent' rating in all categories during its November 2022 ISI inspection, the highest possible judgement. The inspection found that pupils show high levels of achievement in relation to their abilities and make strong progress across all ages, with excellent attitudes toward learning. Standardised scores in mathematics and English exceed national expectations. The school achieves strong secondary school destinations, with 87% of Year 6 leavers securing offers and 30% receiving scholarships. Approximately 75% progress to independent day schools, with popular destinations including St Dunstan's College, Sydenham High School, and Streatham & Clapham High School, while others attend selective grammar schools. The school's recent affiliation with the Alleyn's Schools Group from September 2025 brings additional resources and collaboration opportunities.
Main entry points are at 4+, 7+, and 9+, with the application deadline typically in early November for the following September entry. The school also accepts applications for occasional vacancies at 5+, 6+, 8+, and 10+ throughout the year. Prospective families register through the Alleyn's application portal (with separate systems for UK and overseas residents) and pay a non-refundable registration fee of £85. Once registered, the school arranges an assessment to evaluate your child's readiness to flourish within the school environment and academic pace. The assessment also provides children with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the school and meet peers. Families should review the school's Admissions Policy, FAQ document, and Entrance Exam Access Arrangements Policy. For enquiries, contact admissions@oakfield.dulwich.sch.uk or telephone 020 8670 4206.
Fees range from £6,440 per term for Reception to £6,780 per term for older year groups (2025/26), which includes VAT and lunches. There is a non-refundable registration fee of £85. Families should contact the school directly for information about available bursaries, scholarships, or sibling discounts that may be offered.
Approximately 75% of Oakfield leavers progress to one of 20 independent day schools, with the balance attending grammar schools and other maintained schools. The most popular destinations are St Dunstan's College, Sydenham High School, and Streatham & Clapham High School, which together account for 25% of leavers. Other common destinations include Alleyn's School, Dulwich College, James Allen's Girls' School (JAGS), Trinity School, Whitgift School, JAGS, and selective grammar schools such as Nonsuch High School and Wallington County Grammar School. The school works closely with parents to identify the most suitable secondary school for each child's individual needs and abilities.
Oakfield offers an extensive co-curricular programme with between 5 and 10 different activities available to each pupil per term. Sports include football, rugby, netball, hockey, cricket, athletics, gymnastics, swimming, and cross-country, with competitive teams from Year 3 and recent national success in football and gymnastics. Music opportunities include two choirs, an orchestra, jazz band, pop group, and instrumental ensembles, with all pupils learning an instrument in class and approximately one third taking additional lessons from Year 3. Drama education includes multiple productions throughout the year, LAMDA classes, and regular performances. The school won Best Musical at the ISA Drama Competition 2020. Other clubs include art, cooking, and academic enrichment, with offerings rotating termly. Residential trips begin in Year 4, culminating in a week-long Year 6 sailing trip in Poole harbour.
The school describes its admissions policy as non-selective; however, entry includes a previous school report and an assessment or entry test. The assessment evaluates whether children are ready to settle and flourish within the school's environment and academic pace. The school seeks pupils who will thrive in its aspirational, nurturing environment and benefit from its holistic educational approach. Main entry points are at 4+, 7+, and 9+, with occasional vacancies at other ages. Families are encouraged to contact the admissions team to discuss their child's individual circumstances and suitability.
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