Welcome from the Head of Senior School

Welcome to St Dunstan's College Senior School, a diverse and liberal community, where we support students on individual journeys, from finding their way around our impressive site and building new friendships in Year 7, to networking with industry leaders and preparing to live in university halls as a Year 13.  Established with the bold vision of challenging the norms of education, we have always been ahead in our thinking. From our founding days, when a courageous group of governors introduced science and technology into the curriculum - making us the one of the first schools in the world to do so - we have remained ambitious and progressive.

These qualities continue to shape our approach as we prepare our students to become global citizens in a rapidly evolving world.   

We offer a rich, Renaissance-style education that is proudly aspirational and offers challenge, depth and rigour. We expect students to be brave and take intellectual risks as they embrace the breadth and richness of knowledge available to them, to strive for academic excellence but also to show resilience, humility and reflectiveness as learners.

Our Lower School journey empowers students to try a wide range of different subjects to discover where their true passions lie, which may end up taking them on quite a different journey to that expected by the time they are pursuing inspirational career and higher education opportunities in the Sixth Form.  

We take an evidence-led approach to teaching and learning, engaging with pedagogical research to ensure our teachers, and indeed our students, understand the cognitive science behind how we learn and the pathway of adolescent development. Teachers and students are empowered to use this research to support learning and to help in the development of compassion, empathy and self-understanding - qualities that will empower our students to thrive in any field they choose to pursue. Teachers and students develop warm, trusting relationships founded in mutual understanding, respect and compassion.   

Rooted in our founding motto, ‘Albam Exorna’, which speaks to the power of the individual and the value of diversity, our school is proud of its inclusive, dynamic community. Situated in a vibrant, diverse part of south-east London, we celebrate the richness of our multicultural environment, encouraging every student to find their voice, express their individuality, and contribute meaningfully to society.  

Our school is a place where tradition and innovation meet. We remain committed to our historic values, while constantly seeking new ways to enrich our students' experiences.

This balance has earned us recognition as one of the leading independent schools in the UK, with accolades including Co-educational School of the Year and Independent Senior School of the Year. These achievements reflect our dedication to providing a holistic education that values both academic success and personal development and fulfilment.  

I invite you to explore what makes the Senior School unique through the experiences and voices of our current students. Whether you are interested in our innovative Hecker, Stuart and Usherwood curricula, our unparalleled co-curricular Forder programme, or our exceptional pastoral care, I hope you will be inspired to visit us and discover first-hand the warmth and energy of our school. I look forward to welcoming you to St Dunstan’s Senior School for our Open Day or for a Discovery Tour very soon.  

Ms Jade McLellan 

Head of Senior School 

Watch the recent highlights from our Year 7 Adventure Week