Alleyn’s School entrance guide

Open Days and Events at Alleyn's School

Alleyn’s School has one main Open Day in the Autumn Term for Junior School entry, which is bookable on the school website. Places are limited and must be booked in advance. For specific year entry in Junior School (4+, 7+ and 9+) , there are also some tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays; these also fill up quickly and the school usually operates a waiting list. For Senior School entry there is an Open Afternoon in the Summer Term, also bookable on the school website. There are specific tours available for both 11+ and 16+ entry on this day, with subject-specific information also available to parents and prospective pupils. As with Junior School, there are Senior School small group tours available which are bookable on the website and take place in the Summer Term.

4 Plus Entry to Alleyn's School

Following an application to Alleyn’s School a year in advance of the proposed entry date, children looking for 4+ entry will be invited to an assessment day in either the late Autumn or early Spring term. The dates are based on the child’s age, so that children of the same age are assessed at the same time. A report will be sought from the child’s nursery, if applicable. There will be a mix of activities, including reasoning, group activities and language. Following this assessment, offers are sent out by the end of January and must be accepted within a week.

7 plus Entry to Alleyn's School

7+ entry to Alleyn’s School is a popular entry point, but with only around 10 new children being accepted each year, it is also highly competitive. This is a two-stage process, with both stages being completed by the end of January. The first stage is an assessment day, with English (both comprehension and creative writing), Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning exams. The second stage involves further tests in Reading and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Additionally, there are group activities and an interview. Offers are sent out in early February and must be accepted within a week.

9 plus Entry to Alleyn's School

9+ entry to Alleyn’s School is the final entry point to the Junior School. Pupils will sit a two-stage assessment in January preceding the proposed date of entry in September. The first stage involves examinations in English, Maths and Spatial (similar to non-verbal) Reasoning. Sample papers for English and Maths are available on the school website. The second stage (to which successful candidates are invited back) involves an interview with the Headteacher and is likely to include Maths and English questions as well as the usual questions about hobbies and current affairs. Following the completion of this two-stage process, offers are sent out by the end of January and must be accepted within a week.

11 plus entry to Alleyn's School

11+ entry to Alleyn’s Senior School is the only standard entry point before 16+ entry in the Sixth Form, so is very popular and highly competitive. There are around 100 places available for new pupils, and 50 for pupils joining from the Junior School. This is a two-stage process, and applications must be made at least a year before the proposed entry date. All applicants are invited to attend a taster afternoon in the Autumn Term of Year 6. Pupils will then attend the school in January and sit assessments in English, Maths and Reasoning. A report will also be requested from their current school. Sample papers for English and Maths are available on the Alleyn’s School website, and Reasoning papers are standardized by age. The English exam (40 minutes) is a creative writing test and the Maths exam (30 minutes) is based on the National Curriculum syllabus, with detailed topic information available on the website. Reasoning (45 minutes) includes verbal, non-verbal and spatial reasoning and is completed on paper. The second stage of 11+ entry to Alleyn’s Senior School is a further assessment day. This will involve an interview and a group assessment test. Following success at this second stage, offers will be sent out and must be accepted promptly.

16 plus Entry to Alleyn's School

16+ entry to Alleyn’s School Sixth Form (Upper School) is a popular entry point. Applications are made a year in advance; this is a two-stage process. The first stage involves assessment in critical thinking, qualitative and quantitative reasoning. The reasoning papers are non-calculator and multiple choice and based on GCSE Maths and other subjects at the same level. Critical thinking is an English-skills based paper which involves writing a short essay response to a topical question. Examples of these questions are available on the school website. The second stage consists of four interviews, one general and three subject-specific. Following success at this second stage, offers will be sent out and must be accepted promptly.

Scholarships and Bursaries at Alleyn's School

Scholarships are available at Alleyn’s School for 11+ and 16+ entry only. Scholarships have a value of up to £5000 a year. At 11+, scholarships are available in music, drama, design and technology, art and sport, alongside academic scholarships. Potential academic scholarship candidates are identified using the entrance assessment process, and following the second stage, are invited back for a third stage for a workshop day. For music, drama, design and

technology, art and sport scholarships, separate applications must be made and candidates are invited to attend specific assessment days. At 16+, scholarships are available in performing arts and music alongside academic scholarships.

Bursaries are available at Alleyn’s School for those pupils whose families would not normally be able to afford the educational opportunities offered by the school. These awards are means-tested and more information is available from the school.