St Dunstan's College
Encyclopedia
St Dunstan's College is a co-educational
independent school
in London, England
. It is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference
, and was an all-boys
establishment until 1994. Located on an urban site in Lewisham
, many additions have been made to the original Victorian building complex, including a large glass-walled dining hall utilising a hyperbolic paraboloid roof requiring no internal supports
, the prototype for a similar structure in Calgary. Sports facilities include a sports hall complex, swimming pool, tennis courts, and extensive playing fields for such an urban location. The pre-prep and prep schools are in separate buildings on the same site, one of which was formerly the residence of a previous Headmaster.
The school consistently achieves above average examination results at all levels. The International Baccalaureate
has been offered as an alternative to AS and A-levels since 2005.
A wide range of subjects are offered, with drama and economics indicated as being strong in the most recent Independent Schools Inspectorate
report. A large number of sports and games are played, and some pupils have played at an international level. Extracurricular activities include a CCF
contingent, musical ensembles, and commitments by pupils to local community schemes.
Usherwood (Yellow), Forder(Red), Stuart(Blue), Hecker(Green)
, now part of the Tower Ward in the City of London
.
In 1446 King Henry VI declared the parish school to be one of the efficient schools of the city
. The school was re-founded in 1888 on a green field site in Catford
in the Parish of Lewisham but still maintains strong links with the City of London
and the Parish of St Dunstan-in-the-East.
Coeducation
Mixed-sex education, also known as coeducation or co-education, is the integrated education of male and female persons in the same institution. It is the opposite of single-sex education...
independent school
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
in London, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference
Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference
The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference is an association of the headmasters or headmistressess of 243 leading day and boarding independent schools in the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies and the Republic of Ireland...
, and was an all-boys
Single-sex education
Single-sex education, also known as single-gender education, is the practice of conducting education where male and female students attend separate classes or in separate buildings or schools. The practice was predominant before the mid-twentieth century, particularly in secondary education and...
establishment until 1994. Located on an urban site in Lewisham
Lewisham
Lewisham is a district in South London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
, many additions have been made to the original Victorian building complex, including a large glass-walled dining hall utilising a hyperbolic paraboloid roof requiring no internal supports
, the prototype for a similar structure in Calgary. Sports facilities include a sports hall complex, swimming pool, tennis courts, and extensive playing fields for such an urban location. The pre-prep and prep schools are in separate buildings on the same site, one of which was formerly the residence of a previous Headmaster.
The school consistently achieves above average examination results at all levels. The International Baccalaureate
IB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
has been offered as an alternative to AS and A-levels since 2005.
A wide range of subjects are offered, with drama and economics indicated as being strong in the most recent Independent Schools Inspectorate
Independent Schools Council
The Independent Schools Council is a non-profit organisation that represents 1,234 schools in the United Kingdom's independent education sector...
report. A large number of sports and games are played, and some pupils have played at an international level. Extracurricular activities include a CCF
Combined Cadet Force
The Combined Cadet Force is a Ministry of Defence sponsored youth organisation in the United Kingdom. Its aim is to "provide a disciplined organisation in a school so that pupils may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self reliance,...
contingent, musical ensembles, and commitments by pupils to local community schemes.
Houses
Houses are named after previous headmasters.Usherwood (Yellow), Forder(Red), Stuart(Blue), Hecker(Green)
History
St Dunstan's College was originally founded in the 15th century in the Parish of St Dunstan-in-the-EastSt Dunstan-in-the-East
St Dunstan-in-the-East was a Church of England parish church on St Dunstan's Hill, half way between London Bridge and the Tower of London in the City of London. The church was largely destroyed in the Second World War and the ruins are now a public garden....
, now part of the Tower Ward in the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
.
In 1446 King Henry VI declared the parish school to be one of the efficient schools of the city
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The school was re-founded in 1888 on a green field site in Catford
Catford
Catford is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Architecture:...
in the Parish of Lewisham but still maintains strong links with the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
and the Parish of St Dunstan-in-the-East.
Notable Old Dunstonians
- Matthew d'AnconaMatthew d'AnconaMatthew d'Ancona is a British journalist. A former deputy editor of The Sunday Telegraph, he was appointed editor of The Spectator in February 2006, a post he retained until August 2009.-Early life:...
, former editor of The Spectator and columnist for the Sunday Telegraph - Brian BrollyBrian BrollyBrian Brolly , was an English showbusiness entrepreneur. He was the managing director of Paul and Linda McCartney's MPL Communications, and then of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Theatre Company. He was a co-founder of the radio stations Jazz FM and Classic FM.Brolly was born in London...
, showbusiness entrepreneur, and co-founder of the radio stations Jazz FM102.2 Jazz FM102.2 Jazz FM was a local jazz and soul music station for London run by GMG Radio. The station was based and broadcast from Castlereagh Street in London to around 15.5 million people within the broadcasting area...
and Classic FMClassic FM (UK)Classic FM, one of the United Kingdom's three Independent National Radio stations, broadcasts classical music in a popular and accessible style.-Overview:... - Sir William Castell LVO, Chairman of the Wellcome TrustWellcome TrustThe Wellcome Trust was established in 1936 as an independent charity funding research to improve human and animal health. With an endowment of around £13.9 billion, it is the United Kingdom's largest non-governmental source of funds for biomedical research...
and a Director of General ElectricGeneral ElectricGeneral Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
and BPBPBP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"... - The Rt Hon The Lord Drayson, PCPaul Drayson, Baron DraysonPaul Rudd Drayson, Baron Drayson PC is a British businessman, amateur racing driver and politician. He was Minister of Science in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills until May 2010, where he replaced Ian Pearson. In June 2009 he was additionally appointed as Minister of State for...
, businessman, entrepreneur and former Defence Minister for Procurement - Martin EvansMartin EvansSir Martin John Evans FRS is a British scientist who, with Matthew Kaufman, was the first to culture mice embryonic stem cells and cultivate them in a laboratory in 1981...
, Nobel Prize winner for his work in the field of genetics - Michael Grade, CBEMichael GradeMichael Ian Grade, Baron Grade of Yarmouth CBE is a British broadcast executive and businessman. He was BBC chairman from 2004 to 2006 and executive chairman of ITV plc from 2007 to 2009.-Early life:...
, Executive Chairman of ITV - Hubert GreggHubert GreggHubert Gregg was a BBC broadcaster, writer and stage actor. At the end of his life he was probably best known for the BBC Radio 2 'oldies' shows A Square Deal and Thanks For The Memory...
, broadcaster, writer, stage actor - The Very Revd John HallJohn Robert HallJohn Robert Hall FRSA is an English priest of the Church of England. He is the current Dean of Westminster.-Education:Hall was educated at St Dunstan's College, Catford and St Chad's College, University of Durham...
, DeanDean (religion)A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
of WestminsterWestminster AbbeyThe Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,... - The Rt Revd Dr David JenkinsDavid Edward JenkinsDavid Edward Jenkins is a Church of England cleric and former Bishop of Durham, a position he held from 1984 until 1994.Jenkins was born in Bromley, Kent and educated at St Dunstan's College, Catford...
, former Bishop of Durham - Frederick Henry Johnson, VC, recipient of the Victoria CrossVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
in World War One - Steve NieveSteve NieveSteve Nieve is an English keyboardist, best known for his work with Elvis Costello and the Attractions and Elvis Costello and the Imposters.-Musical career:...
né Steve Nason, musician, Elvis Costello and the Attractions - Matt SalterMatt SalterMatt Salter is an English retired rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played for Bristol in the Guinness Premiership.Matt Salter's position of choice was in the ....
, former captain of Bristol RugbyBristol RugbyBristol Rugby is a rugby union club based in Bristol, England. The club currently plays in the RFU Championship and competes in the British and Irish Cup. They rely in large part on the many junior rugby clubs in the region, particularly those from 'the Combination'... - Robert Stanford TuckRobert Stanford TuckWing Commander Roland Robert Stanford Tuck DSO, DFC & Two Bars, AFC was a British fighter pilot and test pilot.Tuck joined the RAF in 1935. Tuck first engaged in combat during the Battle of France, over Dunkirk, claiming his first victories...
, DSODistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, DFCDistinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
, fighter pilotFighter pilotA fighter pilot is a military aviator trained in air-to-air combat while piloting a fighter aircraft . Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting...
and test pilotTest pilotA test pilot is an aviator who flies new and modified aircraft in specific maneuvers, known as flight test techniques or FTTs, allowing the results to be measured and the design to be evaluated.... - Chuka UmunnaChuka UmunnaChuka Harrison Umunna is a British Labour Party politician and employment lawyer. He has been the Member of Parliament for Streatham since 2010. After less than 18 months in Parliament, he was promoted to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Business Secretary by Labour Leader Ed Miliband on 7 October 2011...
, Labour MP for StreathamStreathamStreatham is a district in Surrey, England, located in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated south of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:... - Clifford WilcockClifford WilcockGroup Captain Clifford Arthur Bowman Wilcock, OBE, AFC, FRAeS was a British engineer, company director and politician who is noted for his contributions to civil and military aviation.-Great War service:...
, OBE, engineer and politician