About Alleyn's School
Alleyn's School is a leading co-educational independent day school on Townley Road in Dulwich, south-east London, founded in 1619 as part of Edward Alleyn's College of God's Gift (it separated from Dulwich College in 1882 and became co-educational in 1976). It educates around 1,300 pupils aged 4–18. As an independent school it charges fees — around £9,000 a term for the senior school (about £27,000 a year; confirm the current figure).
Entry to Year 7 is highly competitive (around 150 places, roughly two-thirds external). Candidates sit written assessments in English, Mathematics and Reasoning (verbal and non-verbal) in early January; those who do well are invited to a group activity and a one-to-one interview, with a reference taken from the current school.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Alleyn's School
Alleyn's School Admissions Criteria
Alleyn's School is a girls independent day school in London. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at Alleyn's School to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at Alleyn's School. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — Entrance assessment: Your child will sit Alleyn's School's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The assessment is designed by the school's academic staff to identify both current ability and future academic potential.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about her interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether her child has been offered a place at Alleyn's School.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at Alleyn's School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Alleyn's School Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending Alleyn's School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Alleyn's School 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to Alleyn's School
Step 1 — Attend an Alleyn's Taster Afternoon event
Attend an Alleyn's Taster Afternoon event — strongly recommended to familiarise your child with the school atmosphere
Step 2 — Register your child when they commence Year 6
Register your child when they commence Year 6 — registration for 2027 entry opens Monday 7 September 2026
Step 3 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form and pay the £175 non-refundable registration fee
Step 4 — Submit by deadline: noon Friday 13 November 2026 (for 2027 entry)
Submit by deadline: noon Friday 13 November 2026 (for 2027 entry); Friday 7 November 2025 (for 2026 entry)
Step 5 — Your child sits the bespoke entrance exam in January at Alleyn's
Your child sits the bespoke entrance exam in January at Alleyn's (E + M school-set; Reasoning (Verbal and Non-Verbal); ~2hr total)
Step 6 — Selected candidates invited back for interview
Selected candidates invited back for interview and small group activity at end of January
Step 7 — Offer letters typically sent in February
Offer letters typically sent in February; for 2026 entry offers late January with acceptance deadline 30 January 2026
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the deposit
On acceptance, pay the deposit (refunded when child leaves Alleyn's)
Subjects Tested at Alleyn's School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Alleyn's School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Drama, Sport, Art and Design & Technology Scholarships at 11+. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Music scholarship auditions from January 2027
Additional notes: Alleyn's School is a co-educational independent day school in Dulwich, London (Times rank #15). Junior School (4-11), Senior School (11-16), Sixth Form (16-18). Nearly 30 acres of green space with state-of-the-art labs, observatory, technology workshops, food/nutrition kitchens, swimming pool, athletics track. Unlike consortium schools, Alleyn's sets its own bespoke papers (does not use ISEB Pre-Test). All registered candidates invited to sit exams.
Catchment Area for Alleyn's School
As an independent school, Alleyn's has no catchment area; pupils travel in from across south and central London. Places are awarded on the assessment, interview and school reference.
Alleyn's offers scholarships in Music, Drama, Sport and Art plus means-tested bursaries; apply alongside your entry application and check the school's bursary pages.
Independent Practice Papers for Alleyn's School
Alleyn's School uses School's own bespoke 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Alleyn's School 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Alleyn’s School (GCSE & A‑Level Results)
Alleyn’s is one of London’s leading co‑educational independent schools, rated “Excellent” by the ISI, with consistently strong results across GCSE and A‑Level.
| 📈 GCSE 2024 — grades 9–8 | 72% |
| 🎓 A‑Level — A*–B | 94% |
| 🎓 A‑Level — A*/A | 81% (41% A*) |
Leavers head to leading universities in the UK and overseas, including Oxbridge, Russell Group institutions and US universities. (Figures are the school’s published results and vary year to year.)
Pastoral Care, Sport & Co‑curricular Life
Founded in 1619 as part of Edward Alleyn’s foundation and co‑educational since 1976, Alleyn’s sets academic work within a strong pastoral framework and a vibrant co‑curriculum, guided by its ROCCK values (Respect, Opportunity, Curiosity, Courage and Kindness).
Facilities & campus
The roughly 28‑acre Dulwich campus includes a professional theatre, music studios, science laboratories and an observatory, plus a sports centre, swimming pool, athletics track and Astroturf pitches.
Sport, music, drama & clubs
An extensive programme spans sport, music, drama and a wide range of clubs and societies, with strong traditions in the performing arts and links to fellow foundation schools Dulwich College and JAGS.
Pastoral care
A house and tutor system supports wellbeing throughout, helping every pupil feel known and valued from the Junior School through to the Sixth Form.
Alleyn's School — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Alleyn's at 11+?
Register online directly with the school (registration for September 2027 entry opens on 7 September 2026; a registration fee applies). Your child sits written assessments in early January, with a group activity and interview for those who do well.
What is on the Alleyn's 11+ assessment?
The school's own English and Maths papers plus a reasoning assessment (verbal and non-verbal), followed by a group activity, a one-to-one interview and a school reference.
Is Alleyn's selective, and does it charge fees?
Yes — it is a highly selective co-educational independent day school, so it charges fees (around £9,000 a term, about £27,000 a year; confirm the current figure).
How many Year 7 places are there?
Around 150, roughly two-thirds to external applicants, so entry is very competitive.
Is Alleyn's co-educational?
Yes — Alleyn's has been co-educational since 1976 and educates girls and boys from age 4 to 18.
When is the assessment?
In early January of Year 6 (January 2027 for September 2027 entry), with group activities and interviews later in January and offers at the end of January.
Does Alleyn's have a catchment area?
No. As an independent school it admits pupils from any area, across south and central London.
Are scholarships and bursaries available?
Yes — scholarships in Music, Drama, Sport and Art, plus means-tested bursaries; apply alongside your entry application.
How can my child prepare?
Build confident Year 5/6 English and maths, practise timed verbal and non-verbal reasoning, and develop creative writing. ExamTutor offers Independent-style practice papers with full video explanations.