St Dunstan's College

St Dunstan's College is a co-educational independent school in Catford, 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 the city of Calgary in Alberta in Western Canada. Sports facilities include an onsite sports hall complex, swimming pool, netball courts, five courts and extensive playing fields for such an urban location. The pre-prep and prep schools are in separate buildings on the same site. The pre - prep school was formerly the residence of a previous Headmaster.

The school consistently achieves above average examination results at all levels.

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. The former programme (co curricular activities) is wide ranging and covers areas such as sports, CCF, music, drama, community service and many others. The College currently offers over 100 activities.

Houses

Houses are named after previous headmasters. Usherwood (Yellow), Forder (Red), Stuart (Blue) and Hecker (Green). Previously the houses had been named after eight former pupils who died in the First World War: Bennett (pink), Goosey (dark blue), Griffiths (green), Johnson (purple), Lane (white), Ross (yellow), Thomas (red) and Wilson (light blue).

History

St Dunstan's College was originally founded in the 15th century in the Parish of St Dunstan-in-the-East, 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.

Notable Old Dunstonians

• Matthew d'Ancona, former editor of The Spectator and columnist for the Sunday Telegraph
• William Boon FRS, chemist
• Brian Brolly, showbusiness entrepreneur, and co-founder of the radio stations Jazz FM and Classic FM
• Sir William Castell LVO, Chairman of the Wellcome Trust and a Director of General Electric and BP
• The Rt Hon The Lord Drayson, PC, businessman, entrepreneur and former Defence Minister for Procurement
• Martin Evans, Nobel Prize winner for his work in the field of genetics
• Michael Geliot, opera and theatre director, former Director of Productions for Welsh National Opera
• Michael Grade, CBE, Baron Grade of Yarmouth, Executive Chairman of ITV
• Hubert Gregg, broadcaster, writer, stage actor
• The Very Revd John Hall, Dean of Westminster
• The Rt Revd Dr David Jenkins, former Bishop of Durham
• Frederick Henry Johnson, VC, recipient of the Victoria Cross in the First World War
• Sir Paul Judge, business man
• Sir Stephen Laws KCB, QC, former First Parliamentary Counsel
• The Very Revd Ivan Neill, Chaplain General of the British Army and Provost of Sheffield
• Steve Nieve (né Steve Nason), musician, Elvis Costello and the Attractions
• Matt Salter, former captain of Bristol Rugby
• Robert Stanford Tuck, DSO, DFC, fighter pilot and test pilot
• Chuka Umunna, Labour MP for Streatham
• Clifford Wilcock, OBE, engineer and politician
• Dave Gelly, OBE, musician, journalist, critic and author

External links

• - St Dunstan's College
• Independent Schools Inspectorate report
• Profile on the ISC website