INTRODUCTION:

Alleyn's School is an independent co-educational day school in Dulwich, London. It was founded in 1619 and has one of the largest Combined Cadet Forces in the country. The school boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a modern drama department with the Michael Croft Theatre. With a broad and well-rounded curriculum of academic and non-academic subjects, Alleyn's offers courses in computing, art, Classics, RS, MFL, and humanities. The school's main objective is to provide students with a forward-thinking environment where they can plan and execute activities that cater to their interests and support their future academic pursuits.

According to the ISI, Alleyn's extracurricular program offers a wide range of activities that are designed to enhance students' overall strengths. There are over 180 options available, including molecular gastronomy, cinema and photography, debating, gardening, and Model UN. These activities are aimed at providing students with opportunities to explore various fields outside the classroom.

The school's pastoral care program is the standout of its offerings. It is designed to cater to each student's needs on an individual basis using a customized approach. The school employs highly skilled and knowledgeable personnel who work with parents to resolve any issues raised by students. As a result, students develop self-confidence, achieve superior academic performance, and realize their potential in a safe, multicultural environment.

ADMISSION GUIDELINES:

Prospective families can meet with staff members and hear presentations from the Head during Alleyn's Open Days to discover more about the school's offerings. The event schedule must include facility tours and refreshments where your youngster can have conversations with existing students.

Your child should attend the Alleyn's Taster Afternoon events since they are designed to introduce them to the school's culture and offerings. For Music Scholarship applicants, the institution also offers Music Department Open Days.

Oversubscription Criteria:

There are no oversubscription criteria for the school.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Applications for 11+ must be submitted by November of the year before entrance. Paper-based exams are part of the admissions process, and they are administered in January of Year 6.

Selected applicants will return to the school towards the end of the month to participate in a group activity and an interview.

Please be aware that to register, a £175 non-refundable charge must be paid. Additionally, to be accepted for a spot, a deposit must be paid; this deposit is reimbursed once your child departs Alleyn's.

CATCHMENT AREA:

There is no defined catchment area.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES:

Alleyn's School provides a range of financial options for students pursuing degrees in various fields, including academics, design and technology (DT), music, sports, and the arts. The Saddlers' Scholarship is an academic scholarship worth £5,000 per year, and it is awarded to successful candidates based on their performance in the 11+ entrance exams. Shortlisted candidates for DT scholarships participate in a workshop, and scholarships are granted based mostly on written work. To be eligible for music scholarships, candidates must have a minimum Grade 5 proficiency on their primary instrument, and winners are selected through auditions. Candidates for sports scholarships are evaluated based on their all-around skill or special talent in a particular sport during a scholarship assessment day. Recipients of Arts Scholarships undergo a practical session and portfolio review, which are overseen by the Head of Art.

Applicants from low-income families who perform well on entrance exams can receive means-tested bursaries from Alleyn's School. These bursaries can cover up to 100% of tuition costs. Scholarships and smaller bursaries can be combined. Exceptionally skilled music applicants who do well in auditions can receive means-tested assistance up to 100% of expenses from the WJ Smith Trust. These scholarship and bursary programs aim to assist and recognize students with diverse abilities and financial limitations.

EXAM FORMAT:

The admissions procedure for Alleyn's School 11+ includes:

Stage One: Admission Examination

· English (40 Minutes)

· Mathematics (30 Minutes)

· Reasoning (45 Minutes)

As part of the English test, your child will be given an extended creative writing assignment based on a prose text. They should allocate 30 minutes for writing and 10 minutes for reading and planning. They are required to use a black or blue pen or biro instead of a pencil. To succeed in this assignment, they must understand the extract and demonstrate originality and precision in their writing.

Please remind your child to bring a pen, pencil, ruler, and eraser for their Math exam. The use of calculators is not permitted. The exam will cover various topics from the National Curriculum, including algebra, numbers, shapes, space, measurements, and data handling. The final questions will be more challenging and will require multiple steps to solve.

GL Assessment is responsible for creating the Reasoning paper, which assesses three types of reasoning: Verbal, Non-Verbal, and Spatial. The Verbal Reasoning section evaluates word skills through various question forms. The Non-Verbal Reasoning section deals with abstract figure logic and the recognition of recurring elements and trends. The Spatial Reasoning section requires manipulating visual pictures in the mind. To answer, pencil marks are made on multiple-choice response sheets.

Stage Two: Individual Interviews and Group Activities

Students who score well on the exam will be invited to attend the interview day. This day is designed to assess the student's interests, both academic and extracurricular. It includes both individual interviews and group activities. It's important to note that receiving an invitation to the interview day doesn't guarantee a place at Alleyn's. Parents won't be interviewed as part of the process.

PREPARATION AND TARGET TEST SCORES:

With their well-researched and current questions, our practice exams accurately replicate the actual 11+ exam. They provide a structured approach to 11+ exam preparation that can assist you in determining your child's strong and weak knowledge areas. This will help them to prepare for the Alleyn’s School entrance exam.