Alleyn's School
Independent Co-educational Day School · Est. 1619
Alleyn's is the holy grail for parents who want elite academics without the hothouse pressure. The campus is stunning, the facilities are exceptional, and the culture is warm and grounded. Boys and girls work side by side with genuine mutual respect — it is not a school where gender is an afterthought. Drama, music, and sport are taken seriously alongside the academics: the lead in the school play and the top GCSE result are held in equal esteem. If your child is emotionally perceptive, curious, and expressive — the kind of kid who wants to excel in the classroom and also captain the hockey team — Alleyn's is built for them.
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Dulwich, South East London
11+ Places
~150
Year 7 intake
Annual Fees
~£25,845
per year (ex-VAT)
GCSE 9–8
85%+
of all grades
A-Level A*/A
~80%
of all grades
Oxbridge
15–25
leavers per year
Founded
1619
by Edward Alleyn
Best For
Curious, expressive, well-rounded children who want top-tier academics alongside genuine excellence in drama, music, or sport. Suits children who are joiners — collaborative, sociable, and happy to share the spotlight.
Watch Out For
The new exam format — GL Assessment reasoning plus bespoke Maths and English papers — requires three different types of preparation. Generic 11+ prep misses the GL spatial reasoning component and the specific creative-continuation style of the English paper.
Entry Points
- 11+ (Year 7, main entry)
- 9+ (Year 5)
- 16+ (Sixth Form)
The Complete Admissions Timeline
Every key date, deadline and decision point — with insider intelligence you won't find on the school website. Click any item to reveal verified insider knowledge.
The critical window: Alleyn's two-stage process is front-loaded into January. The November registration deadline is strictly enforced (midday cut-off), and bursary interest must be declared at the same time. The exam is three papers in one sitting — GL reasoning, Maths, English — followed four weeks later by a group activity and interview for shortlisted candidates.
Open events and campus tours — book early, places fill fast
Registration deadline — closes at midday, bursary interest must be indicated here
Written exams at school: GL Reasoning (45 min), Maths (30 min), English (45 min)
Shortlisted candidates invited to group activity + 1-to-1 interview day
Offer letters sent
Acceptance deadline — deposit required to secure place
Key Dates At-a-Glance — Alleyn's 2026/2027 Entry
- 1
Registration closes
Mid-November Year 6 (midday)
- 2
Written exams
Early January Year 6
- 3
Interview day
Late January Year 6
- 4
Offers issued
Mid-February
- 5
Acceptance deadline
Early March
Inside the Alleyn's 11+ Assessment
Alleyn's does NOT use ISEB. The exam is three papers on one day: a GL Assessment reasoning paper (45 min), the school's own Maths paper (30 min — the shortest in London), and the school's own English paper (45 min, majority creative writing). Shortlisted candidates return for a group activity and 1-to-1 interview. The GL Spatial Reasoning component and the creative-continuation English format are the two components most candidates are underprepared for.
GL Reasoning (45 min)
45 minutes · Multiple choice — Verbal, Non-Verbal, and Spatial Reasoning
Most families prepare VR and NVR but completely miss Spatial Reasoning (3D shape rotation, net folding). It is a learnable skill but requires dedicated, specific practice from at least Year 5 onwards.
English (45 min)
45 minutes · Stimulus text comprehension + creative continuation
Preparation regimes weighted towards comprehension practice are misaligned. This paper is majority creative writing. The continuation must match the voice and register of the stimulus text — not invent a new story.
Maths (30 min)
30 minutes · Non-calculator written paper (KS2 arithmetic + applied problem-solving)
Candidates prepared for a 60-minute exam will run out of time. Practise completing KS2 arithmetic sets in 15 minutes. Mental arithmetic must be automatic — times tables, fraction-decimal-percentage conversions, quick percentages.
Topic Difficulty & Weight
Difficulty (%) and exam weight by topic area
Key takeaway: 45-minute GL Assessment covering Verbal, Non-Verbal, and Spatial Reasoning in multiple-choice format. The Spatial Reasoning component is unique to Alleyn's GL format and catches most unprepared candidates — standard 11+ NVR books do not cover it.
Topic Breakdown
Known Exam Traps — GL Reasoning (45 min)
Most 11+ VR/NVR prep books do not cover Spatial Reasoning. You need to find dedicated spatial reasoning resources (folding nets, 3D rotation, cube views) and practise them explicitly — this component catches many unprepared candidates.
45 minutes covers three reasoning types. Practise under strict time conditions on GL-format materials. Never linger on a question — mark your best guess and move on.
Standardised does not mean unpracticable. Candidates who have drilled all GL question types perform significantly better than those who have not — the question types are completely learnable.
The pattern: Most families prepare VR and NVR but completely miss Spatial Reasoning (3D shape rotation, net folding). It is a learnable skill but requires dedicated, specific practice from at least Year 5 onwards.
If you can only improve in one area, make it
Spatial Reasoning (unique component)
What this means in practice:
Dedicate 60%+ of prep time to this area
Practice under timed conditions regularly
Review mistakes immediately after each session
Track progress weekly to spot patterns
All focus areas ranked by impact:
#1
Spatial Reasoning (unique component)
GL Reasoning (45 min)
#2
Creative Continuation (voice-matching)
English (45 min)
#3
Speed & Mental Arithmetic
Maths (30 min)
Format
Multiple choice (standardised GL Assessment)
Duration
45 minutes
Answer Method
Multiple choice — select from given options
Curriculum baseline: GL Assessment standardised reasoning test
Results & League Table Position
Alleyn's consistently ranks among the top co-educational schools in England. These figures are benchmarked against national averages so you can see the full picture.
A-Level A* Rate
48%
National rank #35
A-Level A*/A Rate
80%
Use the narrative summary below.
GCSE Grade 9-7
85%
National rank #40.
A-Level A*-B Rate
93%
Alleyn's sits consistently in the top tier of co-educational independent day school league tables nationally. It is widely regarded as the leading co-ed day school in South London — outperforming Dulwich College on raw academic results while maintaining a broader, warmer school culture.
A-Level Results vs National Average
Alleyn's vs England average (%)
A detailed A-Level grade distribution is not publicly published for this school.
A*
48%
A*/A
80%
A*-B
93%
What this means:
GCSE Grade Distribution
Alleyn's vs National distribution (%)
Detailed GCSE grade-distribution data is not publicly published for this school.
Grade 9-7
85%
Attainment 8
Not published
What this means:
University Destinations
Where Alleyn's leavers go — % of cohort
The school signals strong progression outcomes, but does not publish a detailed destination split in the public admissions material used for this brief.
Notable Academic Achievements
Top co-ed day school in South London
Consistently top-ranked on both academic results and co-curricular breadth
15–25 Oxbridge leavers annually
Strong Ivy League and Russell Group outcomes alongside Oxbridge
National drama reputation
One of the strongest drama programmes of any school in the UK
ISI 'Excellent' in all categories
Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school at the highest level
Founded 1619 by Edward Alleyn
One of England's oldest educational foundations — established by the Elizabethan actor-manager
League Table Position: Alleyn's sits consistently in the top tier of co-educational independent day school league tables nationally. It is widely regarded as the leading co-ed day school in South London — outperforming Dulwich College on raw academic results while maintaining a broader, warmer school culture.
Format
Group activity + 1-to-1 interview (shortlisted candidates only)
Duration
Half-day
Role in Admissions
Part of a holistic assessment, not a pass/fail gate
What Makes a Strong Impression
Compiled from parent reports (2023-2025)
The pattern: Alleyn's is specifically looking for 'joiners' — children who will actively contribute to the school's extraordinary co-curricular life. The group activity is designed to observe how candidates interact with peers: do they collaborate, include, listen, and lead at the right moments? The 1-to-1 interview focuses on genuine passions. Interviewers follow the child's interests wherever they lead.
“The interviewer spent almost the entire time asking about my son's interest in astrophysics. We'd prepared for 'why Alleyn's' and 'what are your hobbies' — he ended up talking about black holes for 20 minutes. He got an offer.”
“My daughter said the group activity felt quite natural — they were given a scenario to discuss and she said it was honestly enjoyable. She made the point that the other children were all nice, which I thought was quite telling about who Alleyn's selects.”
“One parent on our prep group said the Alleyn's exam was the hardest they sat — harder than JAGS, harder than Bexley. The English paper in particular surprised her daughter who was expecting more comprehension.”
Contact Admissions
Alleyn's School Admissions Team
Insider Intel: What Other Parents Don't Know
These are the verified insights you will not find on the school website, in Good Schools Guide, or from any single tutoring agency. Each insight is compiled and cross-referenced from + sources including official documents, parent reports, and tutoring industry data.This is the intelligence that gives ClassAce families an edge.
Common Mistakes Parents Make
The errors we see most often from families preparing for Alleyn's School. Avoid these and you're already ahead of the majority of applicants.
Preparing for ISEB when Alleyn's does not use it
The school's website explicitly states that the ISEB Common Pre-test 'does not form part of the 11+ process at Alleyn's.' Any ISEB-branded preparation material is the wrong product entirely. The correct preparation covers GL Assessment reasoning, the school's own Maths paper, and the school's own English creative paper.
Missing the GL Spatial Reasoning component
The GL Assessment paper includes Spatial Reasoning — the ability to manipulate 2D and 3D shapes mentally (net folding, cube rotation, shape views). This component is not covered in standard VR/NVR 11+ prep books. Candidates who have not specifically practised it will encounter completely unfamiliar question types under exam pressure.
Treating the Maths paper as a 60-minute paper
The Alleyn's Maths paper is 30 minutes — half the length of most comparable schools. Candidates who have prepared for a leisurely KS2 paper will run out of time. Arithmetic must be instant; there is no room for extended working or slow mental calculation.
Preparing a heavily comprehension-focused English practice regime
The Alleyn's English paper dedicates the majority of its time to creative continuation, not comprehension. Candidates who have drilled comprehension questions extensively but practised creative writing rarely will find themselves underprepared for the most heavily weighted section of the paper.
Quoting a '70%' or '72%' pass mark
No pass mark exists for Alleyn's 11+. The school uses a holistic review: exam results, interview performance, group activity assessment, and school report all contribute. Any percentage figure found online is fabricated and misleading. Preparing to 'hit a target' rather than preparing to perform strongly across all components is a strategic error.
Leaving the bursary application until after the offer
Bursary interest must be indicated on the initial registration form submitted in mid-November. Families who wait until after receiving an offer in February and then contact the school are told it is too late. If there is any chance financial support will be needed, declare it at registration.
Alleyn's vs Competitor Schools
How does Alleyn's School compare to the schools your child is most likely also applying to? This analysis covers the key factors that actually matter to families.
Important context: Alleyn's is the only school in this comparison that uses GL Assessment reasoning as a separate paper — adding a Spatial Reasoning component most candidates have never encountered. Its 30-minute Maths paper is also notably shorter than every other school listed here.
| Factor | FeaturedAlleyn's | Dulwich College | JAGS | Latymer Upper | Emanuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | Independent Co-ed | Independent Boys' | Independent Girls' | Independent Co-ed | Independent Co-ed |
| Co-educational | |||||
| VR in Exam | |||||
| Annual Fee | ~£25,845 | ~£25,200 | ~£24,900 | ~£25,900 | ~£21,600 |
| 11+ Difficulty | Very Hard | Very Hard | Very Hard | Very Hard | Hard |
| Interview Style | Group activity + 1-to-1 | Academic 1-to-1 | Warm academic | Group + 1-to-1 immersive | Relaxed academic |
Why Parents Choose Alleyn's
Points to Consider
Scholarships & Financial Support
| Scholarship Type | Value | Available Places | Selection Method | Stackable? |
|---|
The Preparation Roadmap
Everything here is built around Alleyn's School's specific exam format, interview style, and selection criteria. This is not generic 11+ advice. Every recommendation is calibrated to this school.
Year 4–5 (Foundation)
- Build strong arithmetic fundamentals — times tables to 12x12 must be automatic
- Read widely across fiction genres and practise discussing how authors create atmosphere
- Begin creative writing practice: continue short passages in the voice of the original
- Introduce logic puzzles and pattern-recognition activities as enrichment
- No structured exam prep yet — focus on broad curiosity and reading stamina
Year 5 (Summer) — Year 6 (Sept)
- Begin structured GL Assessment preparation — all three sections including Spatial Reasoning
- Practise VR, NVR, and spatial reasoning question types systematically with GL-format materials
- Start school-specific English prep: literary passage → analytical questions → creative continuation
- Practise maths arithmetic at speed — target 30-minute KS2 sets in 15 minutes
- Attend Alleyn's open events in September/October and register interest
Year 6 (Oct–Nov)
- Register before the mid-November midday deadline — do not miss this
- Indicate bursary interest on the registration form if any chance of needing financial support
- Complete full timed mock exams across all three papers (GL, Maths, English)
- Simulate exam-day conditions: all three papers in sequence with short breaks
- Focus creative writing practice on stimulus-continuation style specifically
Year 6 (Jan)
- Maintain light revision in the week before exams — avoid overloading
- Remind your child: GL is multiple choice (best guess beats blank), Maths paper is only 30 minutes so pace is critical, English rewards genuine voice
- If shortlisted: prepare for collaboration in the group activity (listen, facilitate, contribute)
- For the 1-to-1 interview: talk through genuine passions without scripted answers
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Intelligence Score
Updated · sources
Coverage
Measures how much of the admissions picture is directly evidenced rather than inferred from comparable schools or legacy material.
Freshness
This edition was last checked recently. Recency scores fall when public evidence ages or current-cycle detail is sparse.
Use it well
Treat lower-scoring areas as prompts to verify with admissions, not as automatic red flags. The score is about evidence quality, not school quality.
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