Focus on Rosemead School / Growing success

Rosemead‘s inspired approach to nursery and prep education is not only growing successful learners but also winning top awards

Words Libby Norman

Visit Rosemead Preparatory School and Nursery in Dulwich and you know instantly that this is a place that inspires young minds. There’s a buzz of activity, with children learning and creating all around the building. Now its success in that regard is earning wider acclaim. It picked up Independent Prep School of the Year at the TES Schools Awards 2025 – acknowledged as the ‘oscars’ of school awards and encompassing state and independent sectors.

While that is certainly a prize to shout about, it comes on the back of other prestigious awards – for Excellence and Innovation in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Awards, and also Best EDIB (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging) at the Education Choices Awards 2024.

Focus on Rosemead School / Growing success — There’s a rich and varied programme of co-curricular activities at Rosemead

Rosemead was also among the first preps to receive a significant strength in its most recent Independent Schools’ Inspectorate (ISI) inspection. It was praised for its ‘highly customised approach to every pupil’s academic progress’. Personalised learning is a central tenet here, with both stretch and support for the most gifted and targeted sessions to support learners who need a boost. That’s all in addition to SEN support for children with dyslexia and dyscalculia, who receive one-to-one specialist sessions to build skills and confidence.

Long established in this family-friendly quarter of south-east London, Rosemead joined the St Dunstan’s Education Group fold in February 2023. This move cemented the long association between the schools, which share cultural connections and deep roots in this diverse and vibrant community. This brings strength in numbers – St Dunstan’s Education Group now educates some 1,800 young people across this part of the capital, from nursery to sixth form – as well as giving parents the reassurance of even greater learning opportunities and strengths, via access to Group facilities, resources and expertise. And, of course, Rosemead pupils have the option of a well-established pathway to St Dunstan’s College for Senior years.

“There’s a fantastic selection of clubs, and trips, and residentials broaden experience and foster independence”

“This is a lovely, lovely school,” says St Dunstan’s Education Group CEO Nick Hewlett, who also took on the role of Head of Rosemead this academic year. Like St Dunstan’s, Rosemead champions individuality and personality – but firmly underpinned by academic rigour. It is deeply committed to building children’s knowledge and ability to make connections for themselves. Indeed, it uses the school’s rose emblem to explain this approach. It starts with putting down ‘roots’ by giving children buddy and House systems to build community and develop empathy, positive behaviour and communication skills.

The core curriculum (stalk) is critical to school life, but Maths, English, Science and PSHE are not siloed but approached via themes – helping children to make links between subjects and explore ideas independently. The curriculum is expanded (the branches) through a lively diet of creative subjects plus modern foreign languages and lots of sport and outdoor learning, including Forest School. Rosemead has access to wonderful outdoor space at Rosendale Fields, just a short walk away. Also, unusually, this is a prep that teaches Theology, Philosophy and Ethics (TPE) – supporting age-appropriate awareness of big picture themes and helping children consider their own place in the world.

The co-curriculum (the bloom) is a defining part of the Rosemead experience. There’s a fantastic selection of clubs, before, after and during school, and trips and residentials broaden experience and foster independence. Residentials are really good fun, say the delightful team of House Captains who come to share their perspectives on school life. They are particularly enthusiastic about the fact there’s loads to do here. And they like their school’s spirit of fairness and the fact that everyone in Year 6 takes on responsibility for something. One of their favourite aspects of their role, they tell me, is getting chairs in the school’s Grand Hall ready for assemblies – and they are working together to sort out a way to ensure the hymn books are positioned perfectly.

Rosemead’s cohort is quite local, as you’d expect with any London prep – drawing in families within walking distance, but also across areas such as Crystal Palace, Norwood and Forest Hill. Parents’ pride in recent awards is just as palpable as that of the staff. “People recognise that it’s a really big thing – it’s been a whole-school project,” says Acting Deputy Head Academic and SENCO Kate Tyrrell. The school is well aware of the busy lives, and the sacrifices parents make, to give their children a Rosemead head start. Two parents working is absolutely typical. “We’re all in the same situation as they are,” notes Deputy Head Pastoral and DSL Katie Simmons. Wraparound care out of school hours and ensuring easy access to information online are both priorities when it comes to supporting busy families.

“You’ll find exciting STEAM and robotics activities on the menu to keep learning in step with our technology-led world”

There’s a forward-looking approach to learning, too, with House Captains describing the fun of challenges and school leagues working with Century, EdShed and other super smart edtech programmes that refine skills in spelling, maths, MFL, and the rest through games, quizzes, and the like. Online time is carefully balanced with traditional prep mainstays – from learning library research skills to hands-on art and drama productions. But you’ll also find exciting STEAM and robotics activities on the menu to keep learning in step with our technology-led world.

The House Captains share that everyone here loves the games opportunities – with up to 15 different sports offered over the course of the year. The school is strong in athletics, with lots of triumphs at ISA meets. The annual sports day is described as “the best day of the year” by one House Captain. Hockey, netball and football also see strong team performances – and with St Dunstan’s partnership with Chelsea FC Foundation going from strength to strength, pupils here have further opportunities to develop skills and talent down the line.

Achievements are celebrated every Friday at Celebration Assembly – personal successes in sport and academics are cheered on, but so are children who have demonstrated the school values. Those values (Respect, Responsibility, Resilience, Relationships) are also embodied in the buddy system – pairing Year 6s with Year 3s and ensuring any joiner in any year will have a helping hand to show them the ropes. The School Council enables pupil voice – and inspires children to be active school citizens, championing everything from playtime activities to green transport initiatives. Mindfulness Assembly every Wednesday helps children keep life in balance – and there’s also an excellent mental health support programme here.

It all adds up to the full preparatory experience – but designed to be forward looking and family friendly. The winning combination ensures pupils move on up at 11 with the academic foundations, creative thinking and emotional and social strengths to thrive. Helping with that process of navigating senior school admissions is, of course, a particular challenge for all London parents. And that’s where the school’s tried and tested approach comes in. Building pupils’ skillset through a personalised approach to learning, plus a demonstrably rounded and grounded approach to character development are what a Rosemead education does brilliantly.