HAPPY 20TH ANNIVERSARY
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Happy 20th Anniversary, Dulwich College Beijing!
Two decades ago, Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) was intentionally built—by parents, for parents—to prove what a world-class education could — and should — be.
In 2005, we opened our doors and welcomed a few hundred students to pursue a simple yet powerful idea: to provide an ambitious, future-focused education that prepares students for more than exams. Today, we have a thriving community of over 1,600 learners from DUCKS (Dulwich College Kindergarten School) to Senior School, pursuing their passions and their best selves in our mission, Live Worldwise.
And that seed has flourished and continues to grow. Dulwich College Beijing stands as a testament to what happens when vision, hard work, and community collide—a place where students don't just prepare for the future but help define it.
Our Story: A Journey of 20 Years
Inspiring Excellence Through Values and Well-Rounded Education
Today, Dulwich College Beijing is known for:
- A balanced, engaging and enhanced English curriculum embedded in British tradition but tailored to our international context,
- Holistic, well-rounded learning that allows our students to discover their passions and pursue them
- Consistently outstanding IB results (averaging 6-7 points above the global benchmark for the last 5 years), with some students attaining perfect scores,
- Top-tier university placements, with graduates attending leading institutions worldwide,
- World-class facilities and offerings, including a few of our very own courses designed around our students' needs and interests,
- Highly qualified, world-class teachers, who contribute their rich worldview and passion for discovery to an already rich and dynamic school.
- A dynamic learning environment that goes beyond the classroom, with hundreds of opportunities to pursue their passions be it at DCB, as part of a network of schools or in collaboration with our partners such as DCP (Dulwich College Programmes) and the University of Notre Dame,
- Exceptional early years (DUCKS) and Junior School (JS) foundations, where students develop confidence, creativity, and academic readiness for any learning environment, ready to excel and actively pursue their passions in Senior School and beyond.
But these didn't come easy. They are the product of our dedicated educators’ years of hard work, collaborating to provide our students with a well-rounded, value-driven learning experience through the lens of global citizenship, tailored to their learning as part of a self-reflective, lifelong learning journey that goes beyond DCB and themselves.
Voices of Our Community
Over the past 20 years, thousands of students, alumni, parents, and staff have helped shape the heart and spirit of DCB. In these reflections, they share memories and experiences that capture the values, connections, and community spirit that define our school.
Students - Shaped by Experience, Driven by Purpose
"DCB was our lighthouse when we first arrived in China. I’m the eldest of six children, and on the day of uniform fitting, we felt lost at first, but stepping onto the school campus, we instantly felt welcomed. Six months later, we're happy because the school’s values correlate with what we expected, giving me the confidence to run for Head Prefect. School trips like our trips to Shanghai, Xi’an, and Qinhuangdao also allowed me to immerse myself in Chinese culture. While I don't have Chinese classes in IB, my younger siblings do, and it's been incredibly helpful."
Carmen de Z, Class of 2025
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“Pi Day was a chance to show the fun side of maths. It was heartwarming to see students excitedly attempting raffle-box questions. We wanted them to see maths in a new light—something that’s enjoyable and challenging, instead of ‘boring’ or repetitive.”
Sophie S, Class of 2025
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"The Prefect and Head Prefect selection process have been the most transformative experience I have had in DCB. The SSLT (Senior School Leadership Team), especially Ms Tomaszun, pushed me to achieve my best. The selection process included many things that pushed me out of my comfort zone, such as a speech and long interviews. It encouraged me to achieve things I wasn't even aware was in my realm of capabilities. Most of all, the selection process focused on finding the best fit for each prefect role. I received a prefect role that I hadn't applied for. It was daunting at first, but I realised that the best fit also meant the role that would provide the most growth for the student. Ultimately, the selection process was only the start of everything. I look forward to breaking out of my comfort zone and fulfilling my roles to the best of my ability."
Mike C, Class of 2026
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"The prefect selection process has allowed me to reflect on how people's efforts being put in activities within DCB have played a significant role in my personal growth and broad experiences. It has encouraged me to become more involved in a school community, providing others with an opportunity to develop themselves."
Dahee K, Class of 2026
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"Dulwich College Beijing is a place where every student's journey is unique. Having spent almost 12 years here, I was thrilled the moment I had the opportunity to sign up for a prefect role. Though the process was undoubtedly challenging and required reflection, I am incredibly thankful for the chance to serve our school community in this way.
As prefects, we are privileged to guide and support these diverse journeys, striving to ensure that each student feels the light of our community. We all, as students, have different passions, interests, and experiences. Some are just beginning to find their footing, some are branching out to new directions, and some are discovering the strength to embrace who they truly are. Within this diversity, we find the support we need to thrive. Support that transcends what we do or what we enjoy. I feel immensely grateful to be a part of this journey, surrounded by many incredible individuals who make our community stronger daily."
Catherine W, Class of 2026
Alumni - Where Lifelong Journeys Begin
“DCB did a great job of opening our educational experience to not just academics; we were encouraged to try out and be involved in other aspects, from sports and art to music and community service. This proactive curiosity in dipping my toes into a variety of activities is what made me take Friday morning meditation sessions, attend speaker series at Harvard, join the swim club and teach Chinese to peers every week at university.
On the flip side of that, DCB also taught me to find my equilibrium, which I still continue to do today. At DCB, I was given the independence to form my own choices between two equally important options - use the time to study or use the time for my hobbies; spend my weekend with family or spend my weekend volunteering; eat in the canteen with friends or be present at a new club; have literature as my IA topic or biology instead. In college, you’ll be given the same threads of tension in which you’ll be forced to make a choice. DCB helped form my own sense of internal balance, which I strongly encourage every student to find for themselves.”
Annika T, Class of 2020
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“I’ll always remember how much fun I had in that ACAMIS tournament, going to Hong Kong, celebrating the 3 birthdays that happened to be on those days, going on a yacht with an old DCB family, to going home on the bus winning a sing-off with the other schools. Sports truly connects people in a way nothing else does.
Volleyball has helped me unlock and understand true teamwork and collaboration, understanding a true fighting team spirit. Choir taught me how to work together with a community to create beautiful melodies. It is also through these experiences that I have built and connected with so many more people than I would normally get the chance to, to truly stand on the court with my DCB kit and be proud of my team and school.
I’d like to thank Ms. Pichery for being such a supportive, kind and heart-warming Head of Year for us, truly serving as a loving motherly figure for all of us. I’d also like to thank my friends and classmates for making the arduous IB journey seemingly not as bad as it may seem, as well as my dedicated teachers Ms McCaw, Ms O’Rourke, Ms Zhao, Ms Lee, Mr Todd, and Ms Tomaszun and others, for being truly incredible figures.”
Ellie K, Class of 2024
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"DCB offers everyone incredible leadership opportunities—teachers are always supportive of very ambitious activities and students are given a huge amount of autonomy to pursue these plans.”
Yi Wen L, Class of 2019
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One thing I would change is to not leave when I did and then to graduate from DCB. There’s a reason behind how the year levels are connected and structured, and having left in my last two years had an impact on my college selection process. I think I would have seen a bit more success if I had stayed at DCB and this is just a very honest answer. I think that the way that iGCSE bridged IB, finding your concentration over time was something that was of great importance at DCB, and that smoothness of transition would have been great for me when I entered college because I would have been more used to learning what you wanted with some electives and then having a concentration that you could do in college, too.”
Rachel H, DCB alumna
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"Don’t be afraid to take risks and do things your own way. Don’t feel like you have to follow the crowd or live up to other people’s dreams and expectations. This is your journey and your chance to go out and try new things.
Because that’s what we do, right? We’re Dulwich – we're lifelong learners.”
Zoe B, Class of 2024
Parents - A Community of Trust and Growth
"It is reassuring to see an institution evolve with the changing times, and yet stay true to its core values. We strongly believe that the school, together with the whole overseas lifestyle, created (and continues to create) a great platform for our children to achieve in higher education and beyond, creating confident, well-rounded, culturally integrated, young adults.”
Stephen Ducker, DCB parent since 2005
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"DCB's music programme has earned an outstanding reputation not only within Beijing but even among overseas school communities — many of whom express admiration (and even a bit of envy!) for what our students experience here.
Thank you all once again for filling our children's lives with music, joy, and inspiration. Here's to many more beautiful years of music at DCB!"
Nana Li, DCB parent since 2015
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“I love DCB. DCB is indeed a school with a very open-minded and academically rigorous environment. It is highly supportive and caring toward every one of its students. After all, university admission is not the end of life’s journey, but merely a stop along the way. A holistic education, along with confidence, resilience, courage, and compassion, are lifelong treasures.”
Lily, DCB Senior School Parent
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"I definitely recommend the Maths programme at DCB to other parents for several reasons:
- DCB has a strong emphasis on Maths and the Maths faculty here are also very strong and very willing to help students.
- DCB offered a variety of approaches and learning venues for students to learn Maths
- Even if your child is not good at Maths, he will also find the right pace to learn here at DCB according to his level.”
Tony Z, DCB Junior School Parent
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“The Bullpen event showcased an impressive array of innovative start-up ideas from talented students. As a judge and parent entrepreneur, I was thoroughly impressed by the creativity, passion, and professionalism displayed by the students. Their level of energy, originality, and enthusiasm was truly remarkable. What stood out to me was the strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental consciousness in many of the projects. It is highly commendable that the school has successfully instilled a mindset focused on the United Nationals Sustainable Development Goals in the students. It was inspiring to see the next generation of entrepreneurs taking their first steps towards solving problems in the real world.”
Zhen Liu, DCB Senior School Parent
Staff – Guiding Growth with Passion and Purpose
“Remember what you value, remember what is important to you. Remember where home is, and never ever settle for ‘okay’. Celebrate your successes, as they will be uniquely yours to celebrate, and yours alone. Remember that you are unique – singular, uncommon, and one-of-a-kind.”
Clare Anderson-Au, Head of Senior School
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“The focus is on developing character, teamwork, sportsmanship, integrity, problem-solving skills, resilience, and a lifetime of wellbeing. These values, deeply embedded in the DCB Sports Programme, offer students a real opportunity for personal growth, character development and a collective sense of achievement outside the traditional classroom setting.”
Hannah Marshall, Director of Sport
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"One thing that I think makes the DCB community special is that every single member of our staff and students always goes above and beyond what is expected of them.
Everyone, from our teachers to our Head of Schools, including the Head of College, ever since our first Headmaster – Brian McDouall – up until now, it’s our people that make our community. DCB is not a just-do-your-job school, here we go above and beyond…... because only then can you learn who the students are, can you really get to know them, and be really part of the community."
Klaudia Tomaszun, Assistant Head of School (Enrichment), and a founding member of the College
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“Across the school, we celebrate a range of key events that aim to unlock the potential, and the skills required to thrive and succeed in the real world, outside of the school environment. It may be through charitable events, awareness-raising activities, such as Pink Week, DEI, Black History Month, Empathy week or educating about how they can be agents of change. As a school, we have also created a number of student leadership roles across the community that give them a chance to try new things and be open minded.”
Sean Simkins, Junior School Assistant Head
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“At DUCKS, we recognise each child's language journey is unique. By laying solid foundations in both English and their home languages, we aim to personalise learning and provide the right level of challenge. Ultimately, our goal is to nurture confident, multilingual learners with a strong sense of identity.”
Emily Laws, DUCKS EAL Coordinator
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“DCB is a learning community where PE teachers, including myself, constantly learn and improve themselves. Our teachers of Sports are experts with extensive international experience, and we share international networks with other schools in the Dulwich family. This allows us to maintain a global mindset, and we are constantly learning the most updated knowledge and skills in PE education. We ensure we bring the most cutting-edge and practical teaching to DCB students.”
Oliver Du, PE teacher and a founding member of the College
Events and Initiatives
Throughout the year, we will honour two decades of learning, growth, and community with a series of exciting events. Join us as we mark a remarkable milestone.
Preparing Global Citizens for the Next 20 Years
Our mission—to nurture confident, compassionate leaders ready for a changing world—has never been more vital. Through:
- A network-wide commitment to Live Worldwise, supported by shared resources, teacher training, and student exchanges across our EiM school network.
- A holistic learning structured on our 5 pillars of education, all taught through the lens of global citizenship
- A focus on character (developing resilience, cultural fluency, and ethical leadership)
…we ensure every student graduates not just with outstanding grades, but with the skills and values to make a positive difference.
Since we welcomed our first students, our community has turned possibilities into extraordinary futures. As we celebrate 20 years of excellence, we look ahead to the next decades with the same pioneering spirit that built Dulwich—building futures as bold as our beginning.
