James Allen's Girls' School 11+ guide

Considering James Allen's Girls' School for your child? We’ve collated everything you need to know about 11+ entry. Learn how to apply, what’s on the entrance exam, and how to help your child prepare for success.

Key information for James Allen's Girls' School

• Address: James Allen's Girls' School, 144 East Dulwich Grove, London, SE22 8TE
• Age range and gender: girls aged 11–18
• Type of school: independent day
• Number of students: 1,100+
• Admissions contact: [email protected]
• 11+ open days: main open days in September and October for Year 5 and Year 6, additional taster days offered on select dates
• 11+ selection criteria: ISEB Common Pre-Test, assessment (creative writing task, interactive group task) and one-on-one interview
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries
• 11+ scholarships: academic, music, art and sport

About James Allen's Girls' School

James Allen's Girls' School (JAGS) is an independent day school in Dulwich, South London. It has a rich history and a commitment to academic excellence. Founded in 1741, JAGS is the oldest independent girls' school in London. It embodies a long-standing tradition of empowering young women through education.

The school educates over 1,100 students from ages 4–18. It attracts candidates who show 'spark, curiosity and potential'. Students achieve excellent exam results, setting them up for entry into top universities such as Oxford and Cambridge.

JAGS provides a well-rounded education. Students are encouraged to participate in a broad range of co-curricular activities, including art, drama, music and sport. The 22-acre campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities including a theatre, swimming pool and dance studios and a Community Music Centre. These facilities provide students with ample opportunities to explore and excel in their interests.

JAGS places a strong emphasis on community, inclusivity and well-being, fostering a diverse and dynamic student body. The school's ethos revolves around compassion, commitment, and a passion for life and learning. In 2024, JAGS was named 'Independent Secondary School of the Year' by the Sunday Times.

Dates for your diary

• Registration opens: June in Year 5
• Registration closes: end of October in Year 6
• ISEB Common Pre-Test: November–December in Year 6
• Interviews: autumn term in Year 6
• Offers of places: February in Year 6

James Allen's Girls' School 11+ entrance exam

All children applying for 11+ entry to James Allen's Girls' School sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test. This is an exam created by the Independent Schools Examination Board which is usually taken in the autumn term of Year 6.

The ISEB Common Pre-Test is taken online and consists of multiple choice questions. It is entirely adaptive, which means the questions become more difficult depending on how your child is performing. The questions span four subjects:

• Maths: questions are based on the Year 5 national curriculum – although children in Year 6 may find this section challenging. The questions range from arithmetic to multi-step problem solving.
• English: questions are split into two sections: reading comprehension, and spelling, punctuation and grammar.
• Verbal reasoning: your child will be tested on their ability to reason and solve problems with written information, such as letters, words, symbols and numbers.
• Non-verbal reasoning: these questions assess your child’s logic, critical thinking and problem-solving skills using figures and diagrams. They will need to show that they can analyse and manipulate 2D and 3D figures.

The ISEB Common Pre-Test takes around 2 and a half hours to complete. Your child can sit the four subjects together or at separate times. If they are taking all four subjects on the same day, they will be allowed a short break between each section.

In addition to the ISEB Pre-Test, James Allen’s Girls’ School assesses applicants at a Welcome Morning. This consists of a one-to-one interview with a senior member of staff, a creative writing task, and an interactive group task.

Atom’s top tips for applying to James Allen's Girls' School

James Allen's Girls' School is a selective school, and competition for places can be high. Here are our top tips to help your child prepare for the selection process.

Bitesize learning

It’s important to build a good knowledge base before school entrance exams. Your child should have a good understanding of the content they’ve been taught at school before testing their knowledge with practice tests.

Using a ‘little and often’ approach when learning is key – our brains encode new information more effectively when dealing with smaller ‘chunks’ of information. For children aged 10–11, child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20–30 minutes.

With Atom Home, you don’t need to worry about creating a study schedule. When you enter your target schools, you’ll get a bespoke learning plan tailored to your schools’ entrance exams. Know exactly what your child needs to do each week to confidently pass.

Read widely

Entrance exams test children’s ability to analyse and interpret written information. Regular reading is a great way to help your child build these skills.

Encourage them to read books from different genres and by a diverse range of authors. Increasing the variety of your child’s reading will help them understand different styles, tones and purposes. Meanwhile, reading a little every day will help widen their vocabulary, sharpen their analytical thinking, and enhance their imagination.

Looking for reading inspiration? Check out our Key Stage 2 reading list.

Hone curiosity

Selective schools are often looking for children who are interested in learning. You can help by supporting your child’s broader learning, their intellectual curiosity, and their passion for developing an understanding of the world.

Talk to your child about the world we live in and inspire an interest in current affairs with age-appropriate journalism. It’s also a good idea to make sure they’re benefitting from a rich variety of experiences, such as visiting libraries, museums and galleries.

Refine exam technique

When your child feels confident with their knowledge of the exam topics, they’ll be ready to put their knowledge to the test.

Mock tests can help your child develop problem-solving skills and refine exam technique. They’re also a great way to consolidate learning, while highlighting any knowledge gaps they might want to tackle before exam day.

When you set James Allen's Girls' School as a target school on Atom Home, your child will get ISEB mock tests as part of their learning plan. Atom’s mock tests mirror the real ISEB – the curriculum, the timings, the controls and even the colours. Know what to expect on exam day.

Celebrate progress

Setting regular, achievable goals and celebrating your child’s progress – no matter how big or small – will help keep their motivation high.

Make sure to encourage a growth mindset. This means celebrating effort, as well as achievement! When your child makes mistakes or struggles to understand a particular topic, help them understand that they’ll improve through practice. Regular praise will help your child improve their resilience when tackling new and challenging topics.