Welcome from the Principal

Thank you for visiting our website and welcome!

DLD truly stands apart as a leading independent school, recognised by The Good Schools Guide as “one of the most unique and exciting schools in Britain” and by Tatler as “pioneering a modern alternative to traditional boarding schools”.

We are a multi-award winning, co-educational school, situated in the heart of one of the world’s most exciting, multicultural cities. Development, Leadership and Diversity form our ethos, and this has certainly been embraced across the school throughout our near 100-year history. Blending traditional subjects with forward-thinking approaches to learning, our students consistently achieve the grades needed for their desired next steps while building the character and resilience required to handle what those steps demand of them. All of this is accomplished in a nurturing environment that instils the confidence for them to take their place as well-rounded, successful individuals.

I am proud to lead dedicated staff: the academic team, all of whom are experts in their field and passionate about sparking a love of learning among our students so they can progress onto top universities, and our pastoral team, who equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for their academic and personal success.

Our on-campus boarding offers a safe and supportive home for our students, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging – a home from home. With a healthy mix of domestic and international, boarding and day students, we boast a diverse student body, bursting with new ideas and perspectives, varied interests, and hobbies but all with the same determination, qualities, and passion to do their very best.

We invite you to explore our state-of-the-art facilities, meet our vibrant and supportive school community and start your DLD academic journey with us.

I look forward to meeting you soon.

Warm regards,

James Kidd, Principal