About Dame Allan's School
Dame Allan’s Schools is an independent day school in Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, founded in 1705. It follows a distinctive diamond structure: a co‑educational Junior School and Nursery, separate Boys’ and Girls’ Schools from Year 7 to 16, and a co‑educational Sixth Form. As an independent school, fees apply, with scholarships and means‑tested bursaries available.
Entry is selective, by the school’s own entrance assessment (with separate exam dates for the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools) together with a reference from the child’s current school. Ranked #260 in The Sunday Times Parent Power; GCSE 9‑7: 58.5%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Dame Allan's School
Dame Allan's School Admissions Criteria
Dame Allan’s Schools is an independent day school in Newcastle upon Tyne with a diamond structure. 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 Dame Allan'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 Dame Allan'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 Dame Allan'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 his interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether him child has been offered a place at Dame Allan'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 Dame Allan's School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Dame Allan'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 Dame Allan's School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Dame Allan'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 Dame Allan's School
Step 1 — Visit Dame Allan's School in Newcastle upon Tyne (Diamond model)
Visit Dame Allan's School in Newcastle upon Tyne (Diamond model) — arrange a personal tour
Step 2 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's admissions portal
Step 3 — Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Step 4 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your child's current school
Step 5 — Your child sits the 11+ entrance assessment at Dame
Your child sits the 11+ entrance assessment at Dame Allan's
Step 6 — Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Step 7 — Following assessment, offers are communicated
Following assessment, offers are communicated
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
Independent Subjects Tested at Dame Allan's School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Dame Allan's School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers
Additional notes: Dame Allan's School is an independent day school in Newcastle upon Tyne (founded 1705 by Dame Eleanor Allan). Times rank #260. Diamond model: boys and girls taught separately in Senior School. Mixed Sixth Form.
Independent Practice Papers for Dame Allan's School
Dame Allan'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
Academic Performance at Dame Allan’s
Dame Allan’s is consistently among the strongest performers in the North East, with good GCSE and A‑Level results and most leavers progressing to university. The diamond structure lets the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools tailor teaching from Year 7 to 16.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Co‑curricular at Dame Allan’s
- ✓Pastoral: the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools each have their own established pastoral system.
- ✓Co‑curricular: a wide programme of clubs, music, drama and societies.
- ✓Sport: a broad range of team and individual sports across the school.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dame Allan’s
Is Dame Allan's co-educational?
Dame Allan's follows a diamond structure: the Junior School and Sixth Form are co-educational, while pupils are taught in separate Boys' and Girls' Schools from Year 7 to 16.
How do I apply for Year 7 at Dame Allan's?
You apply directly to the school. Entry is selective, by the school's own entrance assessment (with separate exam dates for the Boys' and Girls' Schools) plus a reference from the child's current school.
Are there scholarships or bursaries?
Yes - academic scholarships (up to around 50% of fees) and means-tested bursaries (up to 100%) are available.
Where is Dame Allan's and is it fee-paying?
Dame Allan's Schools is an independent (fee-paying) day school in Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, founded in 1705.
How to Prepare for the Dame Allan'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.
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Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
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Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
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Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
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Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
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Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.