Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi

A Vision Rooted in Global Citizenship

Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi operates under the wider Dulwich College International banner, with a clearly articulated educational philosophy that places students at the heart of every decision. The school's guiding vision — "Live Worldwise" — is more than a tagline; it encapsulates the belief that education should prepare young people to be genuinely engaged citizens of an interconnected world.

The school's official mission states that it seeks to "create opportunities and a learning ecosystem where students broaden their global, social and sustainable literacy, understand their responsibilities to the world, and contribute in their own unique ways." This positions Dulwich Puxi not merely as an academic institution but as a community committed to nurturing character alongside intellect.

The Four Core Values

The Dulwich Puxi community is united by four core values that are woven into daily school life:

• Aim High Together — a commitment to academic and personal excellence
• Work Hard Together — a culture of diligence and perseverance
• Be Kind and Respectful Together — fostering empathy, inclusion, and mutual respect
• Make a Difference Together — encouraging service, leadership, and social responsibility

These values are not abstract ideals; they are actively referenced in classroom practice, co-curricular design, and student assessments.

Holistic Education in Practice

The 'Students Come First' principle manifests in a deliberate balance between rigorous academic programming (UK National Curriculum, IGCSE, IB Diploma) and an expansive co-curricular offer. Students are encouraged to explore interests ranging from robotics and STEAM to ballet, cricket, Model United Nations, and community service — all within a single school day.

The school explicitly values intrinsic motivation over external pressure, aiming to produce learners who are curious and self-directed rather than merely grade-driven. This philosophy aligns closely with the IB learner profile, which Dulwich Puxi adopts through its IB Diploma Programme in Years 12–13.

A Global Perspective with Local Roots

Situated in Shanghai, one of the world's most dynamic cities, Dulwich Puxi integrates a strong Mandarin Chinese language programme and an awareness of Chinese culture into its international curriculum. The school aims to graduate students who are genuinely bilingual and bicultural — comfortable navigating both Western academic conventions and the realities of life in China and Asia.

This philosophical commitment to global literacy, combined with a nurturing and achievement-oriented campus culture, makes Dulwich Puxi distinctive among Shanghai's many international school options.

A Clear Academic Journey from Nursery to Year 13

Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi offers a coherent, uninterrupted academic pathway from early childhood (age 2, DUCKS Nursery) through to Year 13 (age 18). The curriculum is rooted in the UK National Curriculum, which governs teaching approaches and content through the primary and lower secondary years, before transitioning to IGCSE qualifications in Years 10–11 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Years 12–13.

This progression is a deliberate design choice: the British curriculum provides strong foundational literacy and numeracy skills, IGCSE subject specialisation develops depth of knowledge, and the IB Diploma's breadth requirement (six subject groups plus Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS) ensures students graduate as well-rounded, internationally prepared scholars.

IGCSE Provision (Years 10–11)

In Years 10 and 11, students sit Cambridge IGCSE examinations across a broad suite of subjects. Typical offerings at Dulwich Puxi include:

• English Language and Literature
• Mathematics
• Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
• Humanities (History, Geography)
• Languages (Mandarin Chinese, Spanish)
• Arts (Art & Design, Music, Drama)
• Digital/IT subjects

The IGCSE serves both as an internationally recognised qualification and as essential preparation for the demands of IB Diploma study.

IB Diploma Programme (Years 12–13)

The IBDP is Dulwich Puxi's flagship senior qualification. Students select six subjects across the IB's six groups — typically including English Literature, a second language (Chinese or Spanish), a humanity (History, Economics, Business, or Geography), an experimental science, Mathematics (Analysis or Applications), and an arts subject (Drama, Visual Arts, Music, or Film).

The school emphasises the IB's holistic assessment model, which includes internally assessed components, an independent Extended Essay, and the interdisciplinary Theory of Knowledge course — all of which develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills valued by universities worldwide.

University Outcomes

Dulwich Puxi graduates regularly progress to leading universities across the UK, the US, Asia, and beyond. Notable acceptances include places at the National University of Singapore, with Dulwich network alumni accessing Oxbridge and Ivy League institutions each year. The school's admissions counselling service and strong academic programme position students competitively for highly selective institutions.

Teaching Methodology

Teachers at Dulwich Puxi are predominantly British-trained or internationally experienced, delivering lessons in English with a student-centred, inquiry-based methodology. Class sizes average approximately 18 students, enabling strong teacher-student relationships and differentiated instruction. The school's student–teacher ratios range from 4:1 in Toddler to approximately 22:1 in senior secondary, ensuring appropriate support at each stage.

A Purpose-Built Environment Designed for Learning

Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi occupies a purpose-designed campus of approximately 40,000 square metres in the Maqiao area of Minhang District — a relatively quiet, green setting compared to central Shanghai. The campus was built specifically for Dulwich Puxi when it opened in 2016, meaning every facility reflects contemporary educational design philosophy rather than adapting older buildings.

The result is a campus that feels genuinely world-class: spacious, well-equipped, and thoughtfully organised to support both structured learning and informal exploration.

Sporting Facilities

Sport is central to Dulwich Puxi life, reflected in the exceptional athletic infrastructure:

• 50-metre Olympic-specification indoor swimming pool — used for curriculum swimming lessons for every year group as well as competitive swimming training
• Professional full-size rugby pitch — an English-style grass pitch for training and matches
• Large multi-purpose indoor sports hall — accommodating basketball, volleyball, badminton, and team sports
• Fitness gym — available for senior students and staff
• Dance studio — supporting ballet, hip-hop, and other dance programmes

Performing Arts

The 500-seat professional auditorium is one of the standout features of the campus, providing a venue for school productions, visiting performers, assemblies, and public events of a quality rarely seen in school settings. The performing arts programme — encompassing Drama, Music, and Dance — benefits enormously from this professional-grade space.

Academic and Technology Facilities

• Multiple science laboratories — supporting IGCSE and IB science subjects
• Dedicated STEAM lab — for interdisciplinary science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths projects
• Library and media centre — serving all year groups
• Campus-wide high-speed WiFi — integrated throughout all learning spaces

Dining and Wellbeing

The campus includes a global-cuisine concept restaurant and a café, providing international menu options for students and staff. Lunch is available for purchase on campus (not included in tuition fees). The school also maintains full central air-conditioning, fresh-air ventilation systems, and air purification equipment throughout all buildings — an important consideration given Shanghai's air quality environment.

Campus Atmosphere

The overall atmosphere of Dulwich Puxi's campus is described by visitors and families as vibrant, spacious, and genuinely international. The green landscaping, modern architecture, and breadth of facilities create an environment where students are encouraged to be active, curious, and engaged well beyond the classroom.

Daily Life on Campus

Life at Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi extends well beyond the classroom. The school has invested heavily in creating an environment where students, families, and staff feel part of a genuine community — one that is internationally minded but grounded in the specific rhythms of life in Shanghai.

An Exceptional Co-Curricular Programme

Dulwich Puxi's co-curricular activity (CCA) programme is one of the most extensive of any international school in Shanghai. Over 30 activities are offered each term across all age groups, spanning:

• Sports: Swimming, football, basketball, cricket, rugby, netball, fencing, skateboarding, floorball, taekwondo
• Performing Arts: Ballet, hip-hop dance, drama club, choir, Forte Choir, orchestra
• Visual Arts: Art club, Chinese calligraphy and painting, stop-motion animation, photography
• STEM and Academic: Mad Science, STEAM Club, chess, Weiqi (Go), video game design, build-a-bike, Model United Nations, debating society
• Cultural and Wellness: Chinese knitting, origami, yoga, environmental club, open library

Most CCAs are included within tuition fees, with a small number of specialist activities carrying additional charges. The programme caters to students from Reception through Year 13, ensuring age-appropriate enrichment at every level.

Getting to School: 19 Electric Bus Routes

Dulwich Puxi operates one of Shanghai's most environmentally forward school transport systems. In 2022/23, the school transitioned its fleet to approximately 19 electric school bus routes covering western and central Shanghai — including Huacao, Hongqiao, Jing'an, Huaihai Road, and Gubei. Each bus is supervised by a monitor for student safety. Route fees are charged separately from tuition.

This electric fleet transition reflects the school's commitment to sustainability, aligned with its core value of Making a Difference Together and the IB's emphasis on environmental responsibility.

Dining and Campus Amenities

The campus restaurant operates on a global-cuisine concept, offering international buffet-style lunches daily. A separate café provides refreshments for staff and secondary students. Lunch fees are billed separately from tuition, and students may alternatively bring their own packed lunches.

The campus also benefits from full central air-conditioning and air purification systems throughout — a valued feature in Shanghai's climate and air quality context. Campus-wide WiFi ensures seamless connectivity for both learning and administration.

Parent and Family Engagement

The school fosters strong family involvement through regular parent-teacher conferences, open day events (held year-round with registration via the school website), and an active school community. The Dulwich Puxi community is characterised by high parental engagement, reflecting the expatriate community's investment in their children's education during overseas postings.

A Bespoke Admissions Philosophy

Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi describes its admissions process as bespoke — tailored to each family's circumstances and the developmental stage of the applicant. The school is selective, drawing primarily from Shanghai's international expatriate community, though local Chinese students who meet city regulations may also apply.

Entry Requirements by Year Group

Toddler / Nursery / Reception (DUCKS)

For the youngest age groups, the admissions process is appropriately gentle. Applicants and their parents attend a group visit with teachers, allowing the school to informally observe the child in a play-based setting. No formal testing is required at this stage.

Years 1–2 (Primary)

Entry at this level typically involves school reports from the previous school and an informal assessment to determine readiness and appropriate class placement.

Years 3–6 (Junior Primary)

Applicants for Years 3–6 complete CAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) assessments covering verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal reasoning, alongside a writing task. Parent and teacher recommendations are also reviewed. A meeting with the Principal may be required for borderline cases.

Years 7–11 (Secondary)

Secondary applicants face the most rigorous admissions process:

• Computerised cognitive ability tests (verbal, quantitative, non-verbal reasoning)
• A written component
• A student interview
• An EAL (English as an Additional Language) assessment for students whose first language is not English

Overseas Candidates

The school accommodates families applying from abroad. Overseas candidates can arrange to complete assessments in their home country, with the school coordinating the logistics.

Application Fees and Timeline

A non-refundable application fee of approximately CNY 3,800 is required at the time of application submission. Applications for the following academic year should typically be submitted before 1 September of the application year. For 2026/27, new entrants pay a one-time Resource Fee of CNY 15,000 and a Capital Levy of CNY 15,000.

Scholarship Opportunities

Dulwich Puxi offers a competitive merit-based scholarship programme providing up to 50% tuition remission for two years for students in Years 4–12. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of strong academic, personal, and social potential. It is renewable subject to continued performance, making it a meaningful financial support for high-achieving families.

Selectivity

While Dulwich Puxi does not publish an official acceptance rate, the multi-stage assessment process and the school's strong reputation among Shanghai's international community suggest it is a selective institution. Families are encouraged to prepare their children for the cognitive assessments and to ensure strong English proficiency before applying, particularly for secondary entry.