Dunraven School

Dunraven is a 4-18, All Through School. Our results are strong, remaining well above national averages and representing positive ‘value-added’. Recognition of our marked progress has been significant and our journey as a school is important to us.

Our children and young people represent the rich diversity that Lambeth has to offer. They need, and deserve, brilliant teachers who can help us deliver ‘Excellence for all’ and enable them to become the best possible version of themselves in the future.

In 2011 we converted to Academy Status and were designated as both a National Support School and a Leading Edge School. In 2012 we began our development as an All Through School with children starting in Reception in September 2013.

The visit of OFSTED in October 2014 which judged Dunraven as ‘outstanding’ in every category was an important public marker of our on-going journey to achieve ‘Excellence for All’. Our school’s success is the result of the hard work of our Headteachers, staff and students – supported by their families – over time.

We were very glad to be designated as a National Teaching School in 2016 as it recognises the effort that the school team puts in to making lessons enjoyable and effective for our young people. In 2016 the Dunraven Educational Trust was established and in 2018 the Trust began working in partnership with two primary schools.

Our next challenge is to ensure that Dunraven School maintains our high standards as we aim to become an ‘astounding’ school, working with others as we deliver excellence from Reception all the way through to Year 13.  The primary team, led by our Head of Primary, Michaela Christian, are very excited to be working with our children and look forward to seeing them develop and grow as learners. Our Head of Secondary, Guy Maidment, will continue to work hard with his team to ensure that we build successfully on those excellent foundations all the way to A level and the life beyond school.

If you are successful in your application to Dunraven, you will join colleagues who are hard working, committed, positive in outlook and dedicated to the achievement of our students. We offer:

• a high standard of professional practice, with bespoke in-house CPD provision, and affiliation to nationally recognised courses and providers (SSAT, Teaching Leaders, Future Leaders, NPQs);


• clear pathways for career development and progression with a proven track-record of success in developing leaders;
  a supportive and collegiate environment, with regular staff social and sporting activities (such as yoga, football and House events);


• excellent opportunities for leading work with external partners (National Support School, National Teaching School);


• a culture of high trust and accountability that values creativity and innovation, leading practice locally and nationally in a range of fields.

• “Pupils' behaviour is second to none. They are eager to learn. They are kind, confident, articulate young people. They respect those from all backgrounds and heritages.”


• “The school's values are shared by its whole community. Pupils leave Ashmole exceptionally well prepared to take their place in society as fully rounded citizens.”


• “All adults share the drive to raise pupils' aspirations and provide them with extensive chances to take responsibility and to think for themselves.”


• “Adults are caring. Children are kept safe. Adults all know each child and provide for their individual needs extremely well.”

• “Pupils' behaviour is second to none. They are eager to learn. They are kind, confident, articulate young people. They respect those from all backgrounds and heritages.”


• “The school's values are shared by its whole community. Pupils leave Ashmole exceptionally well prepared to take their place in society as fully rounded citizens.”


• “All adults share the drive to raise pupils' aspirations and provide them with extensive chances to take responsibility and to think for themselves.”


• “Adults are caring. Children are kept safe. Adults all know each child and provide for their individual needs extremely well.”

Holmewood Nursery school is situated in Central Lambeth, off Brixton Hill.  The school is located in a densely populated area of contrasting households in terms of culture, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.

Holmewood provides education for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with 95 full time equivalent places in the main nursery (2 - 4 year olds) and 12 full time equivalent places in the two year old provision.  The school's intake is very culturally diverse with a high percentage of children from mixed, or Black-British / Caribbean / African backgrounds. Nearly half of the children speak English as an additional language, with many at the early stages of learning English.

Holmewood is federated with Maytree and Triangle Nursery Schools.  As a Federated Nursery School, Holmewood is led by an Executive Head Teacher, Head of School and teachers working with other qualified early years practitioners. Holmewood offers highly inclusive education with qualified and caring staff.  It has rich and varied indoor and outdoor learning environments that allow children to play and be active in developing and acquiring new skills and knowledge; children are well motivated and are thoroughly absorbed in their learning.

They are encouraged to experiment and explore and children are very well challenged to enable them to take risks safely and develop their own problem solving skills. Outdoor learning is supported through the Natural Thinkers curriculum and an extensive allotment.

Each child is allocated a Key Person, one of our skilled early years educators or teachers. They get to know the children in their group very well and work in collaboration with their parents. Teachers and practitioners support, encourage and facilitate learning opportunities so that children are happy, confident and independent learners.

All teachers and practitioners have a thorough understanding of children’s early learning and development and the early years foundation stage and understand the importance of working together with parents and other professionals.

At Holmewood, we believe in investing in professional development and bespoke training to meet individual needs so that all teachers and practitioners feel motivated and committed to the continuing success of the school.

Visits to the school can be arranged by contacting the school office.

Check out our blog - Lots of useful information for NQTs and QTs!