Alleyn's School: 11 plus entry guide

About Alleyn's School

Alleyn’s School is a leading private day school in South London, founded by Edward Alleyn in 1619. It provides a selective education to boys and girls from the age of 4 to 18.

The school is committed to providing a holistic education to its students, incorporating academic excellence, strong pastoral care and a vibrant co-curricular programme. Children have access to over 180 activities, including a school radio station, film and photography, cookery and molecular gastronomy, and 60 weekly sports clubs.

In 2020, headteacher Jane Lunnon was named ‘Best Head of an Independent School’ (Tatler Schools). Alleyn's is consistently rated as one of the best private schools in the country and is currently ranked 26th in the national league tables.

• Headteacher: Jane Lunnon

• Address: Alleyn’s School, Townley Road, London SE22 8SU

• London borough: Southwark

• Age range and gender: 4–18, co-educational

• Number of pupils: 1,000+

• National league table rank (Sunday Times Parent Power): 26

• A level results: 95.5% A*–B

• GCSE results: 92.7% 9–7

Key info for Year 7 admissions

• Admissions contact: Ms Louise Mawer – [email protected], 020 8557 1478

• Open day: 17th May 2023. Reserve a place

• Overview of selection procedure: school's own written tests, interviews and small group activities

• Registration opens: 1st September 2023

• Registration deadline: early November 2023

• Assessment date: early January 2023

Alleyn's School admissions process

There are 150 places available in Year 7 at Alleyn’s School. About two-thirds of candidates come from a wide range of state and independent schools while the remaining one-third of pupils join from Alleyn’s Junior School.

Before you start your child's application for Alleyn's School, it's recommended to visit the school first. This is a good opportunity to meet staff and current pupils, see the facilities, and ultimately make sure that the school is the right fit for your child.

1. Register for Year 7 entry

Registration for entry in 2024 opens on 1st September 2023 (when your child is starting Year 6). Registration will be available via the school website and will close in early November.

The registration fee is £175 (or £300 for overseas candidates) per child. If you are able to provide evidence that you receive universal credit or your child qualifies for the pupil premium, you will not need to pay the registration fee.

2. Entrance exam

Your child will be invited to sit written assessments at Alleyn's School in early January. We've included more details about this below.

3. Group activity and interview

Candidates who perform well in the entrance exam and who have a school report that suggests they will flourish at Alleyn's School will be invited back to the school in early January for a group activity and a one-to-one interview. Children will be asked about their interests both inside and outside of school.

Learn more about private school interviews

4. Offers

You will find out the outcome of your child's application in early February 2024. If your child is offered a place at Alleyn's School, you will have until early March 2024 to accept.

How to prepare for entry to Alleyn's School

Here are some top tips on how to best prepare your child for Year 7 entry to Alleyn's School

Preparation is key: familiarisation with the question formats and known styles ahead of the exam is essential. Access to quality Alleyn's School practice papers ensures confidence when tackling the exam.

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Engage with their progress: celebrate their improvements in their areas of challenge together! An accurate, ongoing assessment of your child’s strengths and development areas is instrumental for preparing efficiently. Atom's Parent Portal gives you data-driven insights into your child’s areas of strength and development.

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