Celebrating 15 Years of Dulwich College Seoul

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

I am delighted to welcome you to the 2025/26 academic year at Dulwich College Seoul – a year of growth, innovation, and celebration as we mark our 15th anniversary. Since the day we opened our doors in 2010, we have built a vibrant, diverse, and high-achieving community, and this milestone year is an opportunity to reflect on our journey and look ahead to an even brighter future. 

15 Years of Dulwich College Seoul 

From welcoming our founding families in 2010 to becoming the top international school in Seoul, our story has been shaped by a shared commitment to excellence, global citizenship, and making a positive difference in the world. 

In 15 years, we have: 

• Grown from 500 to over 720 students, representing more than 45 nationalities. 
• Achieved outstanding academic results, with our graduates attending leading universities worldwide, including Oxford, Cambridge, Princeton and Julliard, to name a few. 
• Expanded and enhanced our campus with world-class facilities, including specialist learning spaces, sports amenities, and now our new Alleyn Theatre. 
• Built a thriving, connected community where students, parents, and staff work together to support learning and wellbeing – with a global alumni network that is poised to further strengthen our community. 
• Proudly retained key founding administrative staff and families who have stayed with us since Day One of our school’s opening. 
• Been led by a total of four exceptional Head of Colleges.  
• Been trailblazers with the first ever female Head of College and all-female academic leadership. 

This anniversary year will be celebrated through a series of events, activities, and campaigns, highlighting the people, achievements, and values that define Dulwich College Seoul. 

We are excited to launch our 15th anniversary celebration page today, and invite you to leave your well wish messages! 

University Destinations 

We proudly celebrate the remarkable achievements of the Class of 2025 that has received university offers from some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. Offers have come in from across the globe, including Princeton, UPenn, Brown, Georgetown, UCLA, and USC in the United States; UCL, LSE, Durham, and St Andrews in the United Kingdom; McGill and the University of Toronto in Canada; Waseda in Japan; and EHL and Glion in Switzerland, among others. 

These results reflect the academic strength and resolve of our students, the guidance of our excellent university counselling team, and the support of families and staff who helped them reach this milestone. As a school that values excellence, resilience, and global citizenship, we are proud to see our graduates stepping confidently into the next chapter of their lives—ready to make their mark in the world. 

Welcoming New Colleagues 
We are delighted to welcome our newest colleagues to the Dulwich College Seoul community. They join us from a wide range of countries and backgrounds, each bringing a wealth of experience, expertise, and enthusiasm for the year ahead. 

As many are settling into life in Korea for the first time, our induction programme has helped them to get to know the school, explore the local area, and connect with their new teams. From IT onboarding and curriculum sessions to neighbourhood walks and riverside dinners, it has been a warm and energetic start. We are excited for the year ahead and proud to have such a strong group joining our community. 

Growing to Meet Demand 
The demand for high-quality international education in Seoul has never been greater. In 2024, the number of foreign residents in Korea reached a record 2.56 million, and foreign direct investment hit a record high of USD 3.4 billion. Dulwich College Seoul is a top international school in the city, and unlike many schools that operate well below capacity, we have consistently been full - with more than 60 students on the waiting list as of June 2025. Education is ranked as the most important issue for foreigners in Korea, and they come to us because they want the best education for their children. However, we have not been able to meet significantly growing demand and have had to turn down families that were a good fit due to the capacity quota of 700 that remained unchanged since 2013. 

This resulted in some serious challenges for families relocating to Seoul — including those on international executive assignments. Families were separated with one parent staying abroad with their child because a suitable school place was not available in Korea. 

After a lengthy process of engagement with city and national authorities, embassies, chambers of commerce, and other stakeholders, we have been granted an increase in our enrolment capacity from 700 to 805 students. This change reflects both the pressing need from families and the fact that our current campus and facilities have had the physical space to accommodate up to 875 students. 

For parents, it’s important to note: 

• We will not get to 805 overnight. It will be a gradual growth.  
• Maximum class sizes are not changing. 
• Our admissions criteria and standards remain high and will not change. 
• Most of the growth will come from organic progression in older year levels as retention continues to increase, rather than larger class intakes in younger years. 
• We will appoint additional staff as needed to preserve our excellent student–teacher ratios. 

This measured expansion allows us to meet the needs of more families seeking the Dulwich Difference, without compromising the quality, attention, and community atmosphere that define our school. 

Campus Enhancements
We are unveiling significant improvements to our facilities in the new academic year to ensure we continue to offer the very best learning environments: 

• A completely renovated B1 level we are renaming 1619 after Dulwich College London’s founding year, featuring a sprawling Dining Hall with brighter and more efficient spaces, greenery and a café-cum-lounge area for parents and spirit wear displays. 

• Upgraded DUCKS area including new dedicated entrance, hallways and classrooms for our youngest learners and families. 

• The opening of our brand-new Alleyn Theatre - named after our founder and prominent Shakespearean actor of his time - providing a state-of-the-art auditorium for performances, assemblies, and community events. 

A New Way to Shop for Uniforms 
We are excited to hear positive feedback about our new DCSL Online Uniform Shop – a convenient way for families to browse and order school-branded clothing, accessories, and spirit wear. Orders placed before 2.00pm on weekdays will be delivered the next business day, and the site will soon feature an expanded range including keepsakes, practical essentials, and seasonal favourites. Stay tuned for a host of 15th anniversary merchandise and spirit wear expected to be available this year! 

You can access the shop via MyDulwich → Services → Uniform or directly at dcsl.wecre8te.com (school code: ILOVEDCSL). You can buy all uniforms online and the on-campus shop is now closed. The 1619 display area will have a small try-on area. 

Innovating in Learning 
Last year, we successfully launched MyDulwich, our parent portal designed to streamline access to school news, key information, and essential services in one convenient place. This platform has already transformed the way our community connects and communicates. Friendly reminder that we will be phasing out emails and text messages unless it is an emergency, and all communications to sign up for ECAs, buses and trips can be done through MyDulwich/services.  

Together, MyDulwich represents a significant step forward in how we share information, engage families, and support student learning. 

Looking Ahead 

Our strategic priorities this year focus on enhancing learning environments, personalising education, strengthening wellbeing, and advancing our digital capabilities. These priorities will guide us as we continue to deliver the Dulwich Difference – preparing students to live fulfilled, happy lives and make a positive difference in the world. 

This is a milestone year for Dulwich College Seoul, and we look forward to celebrating it with you through a series of special events and activities. Thank you for your continued trust and support as we make 2025/26 a year of achievement and growth for all. 

Warm regards, 

Alison Derbyshire 
Head of College