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Dwight School is an independent co-educational school for children aged 3–18. Part of a family of international schools located in New York, Seoul, Shanghai and Dubai as well as London, the Dwight School London site is in Friern Barnet, the nearest station being New Southgate.
Formerly known as Woodside Park International School and The North London International School, Dwight has gained a reputation as one of the top schools in Barnet, and one of the UK’s leading International Baccalaureate World Schools.
It is now one of just a few international schools in the UK able to offer all three educational programmes of the International Baccalaureate Organisation – the Primary Years Programme (ages 3–12), the Middle Years Programme (ages 11–16) and the IB Diploma (16–18).
Dwight School London benefits from its international links with Dwight School New York and others in the Dwight Global Group. Serving a diverse community of students from all over the world, the school aims to provide challenges and opportunities that emphasise intercultural awareness while encouraging students to become global thinkers and citizens.
The International Baccalaureate Programme at Dwight School
The International Baccalaureate is an alternative programme to the National Curriculum, GCSEs and A levels. It shapes each child’s personal development with an emphasis on leadership, initiative, and learning from real-world experiences that provide benefits for the wider community. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is designed to meet the educational needs of students between 11 and 16 years. It covers eight subject groups:
Language acquisition
Language and literature
Individuals and societies
Sciences
Mathematics
Arts
Physical and health education
Design
The subject groups provide a traditional foundation of knowledge, while students are encouraged to question and evaluate information critically, to seek out and explore the links between subjects, and to develop an awareness of their own place in the world.
The IB is recognised as one of the world’s most rigorous courses of study, which Dwight School says provides its students with a distinct advantage in the university admissions process. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, ‘IB students are more likely than their A level peers to attend a top twenty university in the UK and receive a first-class honours degree.’
Key information for Dwight School
Head of School: Chris Beddows
Address: 6, Friern Barnet Lane, London, N11 3LX
London Borough: Barnet
Admission contact: [email protected], 020 8920 0600
Age range and gender: 3–18, co-educational
Number of pupils: 260
Number of places in Year 7: Undisclosed
Ratio of applicants to places: Undisclosed
Open day dates: Whole School virtual information session – Wednesday 3rd August (12.30–1.15pm), Upper School open day – Thursday 22nd September (9am–11am). Book online.
Overview of selection procedure for Year 7 entry in 2023: Parent statement, student writing sample, language profile, school reference, online interview or in-person taster day (some children only)
Registration opens: Currently open – apply online
Registration closes: N/A – applications continually open
Dwight School fees and financial assistance
The tuition fees for Dwight School London for 2022/23 are £7,540 per term, £22,620 per annum. This includes any non-residential compulsory trips during the school day. The school notes that fees change in September to reflect inflation.
Upon accepting a place at Dwight School, a deposit of £2,000 is payable, which is refundable in certain circumstances set out in the school’s terms and conditions.
What’s not included in the school fees
The school fees do not include the cost of IB exams and certificates, school lunches, transport, extracurricular activities or residential trips. Compulsory residential trips are held for each year group and are anticipated to cost £350–£500.
If English as an Additional Language is recommended by the school, it is a compulsory requirement and costs an additional £3,150 per term.
Optional fees include transport to and from school at around £1,000 per term, a suggested £4 per day for lunch, £335 per term for music tuition, and £335 per term for LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art).
Dwight School London bursaries
Dwight School has a limited amount of financial aid available for students who show strong potential to be successful IB students but who are unable to fully fund the tuition fees or other costs.
The school calculates and awards bursaries in relation to a family’s global financial circumstances based on a means-test which includes a review of income and capital resources. Awards of more than 40% of tuition fees are only considered in exceptional circumstances.
To be considered for a bursary, apply to Dwight School using the financial aid application form. The application fee for financial aid applicants is reduced to £100. The school will review your application and if you meet the criteria, they will notify you so that they can complete the means-tested financial application, which is managed and reviewed by an external assessor. The assessor will arrange a home visit as part of this process.
The report from the external assessor will be shared with the school’s financial aid committee, who will recommend a bursary based on the information they receive and notify you of the decision.
Dwight School scholarships and awards
Dwight School London awards scholarships to recognise talented students who show strong potential to be successful IB students. Scholarships may be supplemented with bursaries in cases of proven financial need (see above).
There are two scholarships open to children entering the school in Year 7:
Middle Years Arts Scholarship
Award: Between 10–20% of school fees
Details: The arts scholarship celebrates creativity and recognises the importance and contribution of the arts to a well-rounded education and a fulfilling life.
How to apply: Complete the online application form
Application process: The admissions form requires parent and student statements to be submitted as well as school reports. References will be requested from your child’s current school. Children will then take part in an audition (music and theatre) or present a portfolio (visual arts), followed by a scholarship interview.
Application opens: Late September (closed on 30th September for this year’s applicants)
Application closes: Early January (closed on 5th January for this year’s applicants)
Interview dates: Late January (interviews took place on 28th and 29th January for this year’s applicants)
Middle Years Spark of Genius Scholarship
Award: Up to 20% of school fees
Details: The Spark of Genius Scholarship is for students with a strong academic record who aspire to work towards the IB goal of, “a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.”
How to apply: Complete the online application form
Application process: The admissions form requires parent and student statements to be submitted as well as school reports. References will be requested from your child’s current school. Children will then be required to submit an essay on a global issue (brief available here) and prepare a 5–10 minute presentation that will be discussed in a scholarship interview.
Application opens: Late September (closed on 30th September for this year’s applicants)
Application closes: Early January (closed on 5th January for this year’s applicants)
Interview dates: Late January (interviews took place on 28th and 29th January for this year’s applicants)
Dwight School term dates
The term dates at Dwight School London for 2022–23 are:
Autumn term: 6th September – 13th December 2022
Half term: 21st – 28th October 2022
Spring term: 5th January – 30th March 2023
Half term: 13th–17th February 2023
Summer term: 17th April – 7th July 2023
Half term: 29th May – 2nd June 2023
Admissions process for Year 7 entry to Dwight School
Dwight School London is a non-selective school and there is no entrance exam. There are, however, supporting documents required at application. These will allow the admissions committee to review whether the school is likely to be a good fit for your child.
To apply, you will need to complete the online application form or alternatively the financial aid application form. On submitting the form you will receive an invoice for a £200 non-refundable application fee (£100 for financial aid applicants).
Once you have submitted the application form, you will then be required to provide the supporting documents on your parent dashboard on the school website:
A parent statement about your child
A writing sample from your child. This consists of a short piece of age-appropriate writing following the question prompts provided
A language profile to provide information about your child’s linguistic background
A reference from your child’s current school – you simply need to provide the teacher’s email address. They will receive an email request from the school to complete the online reference form
Copies of your child’s school reports for the last two years
Once the school has received the application form, fee and supporting documents, the committee will review your child’s information. Some children are invited in for a taster day so that the committee can evaluate the child in the context of the school. There is also the opportunity to have an online interview with the school so your child can meet them and learn more.
The admissions committee will inform you in writing of whether a place will be offered, declined, waitlisted, or whether further steps are to be taken. Once offered a place, you must complete the acceptance form and pay the deposit of £2,000 to secure your child’s place.
Preparing for Year 7 at Dwight School
Take a look at our creative writing guide for tips that will support the skills needed for your child’s writing sample.
Ensuring your child has a firm grounding in the Key Stage 2 curriculum (Years 3–6) will stand them in good stead for entering Year 7. For a fun and effective way to help them master key subjects and build academic confidence, check out Atom Nucleus.
Our Education Experts are on hand to support you with the senior school admissions process. You can speak with us using the LiveChat icon on the bottom right of your screen, or by calling 020 3973 9226.
If you’re looking for exclusive tips and resources to help your child master key subjects, excel in exams and build academic confidence, join Atom’s email list:
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