Alleyn’s School Admissions: 11+ and 16+ Entrance Exams Guide
Considering Alleyn’s School for your child? This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about Alleyn’s admissions, including the 11+ entrance exams, Sixth Form entry, interviews, key dates, scholarships and how to prepare effectively.
Blog Contents
Alleyn’s Admissions: An Overview
Alleyn’s 11+ Admissions
The Alleyn’s 11+ Interview and Group Activity
How to Prepare for the Alleyn’s 11+
Alleyn's 16+ Admissions: Sixth Form Entry
What Are the Alleyn's 16+ Entrance Exams?
How to Prepare for an Alleyn’s 16+ Interview
Alleyn's Scholarships and Bursaries
How U2 Tuition Can Support Alleyn’s Admissions
Alleyn's Admissions: An Overview
Alleyn’s School was founded in 1619 by Edward Alleyn, a renowned Jacobean actor. It is a vibrant and inspiring co-educational school nestled in a leafy corner of south-east London. With a commitment to helping students become "all they can be," the school strives to create a supportive and encouraging community that inspires and shapes its students, preparing them to go out in turn and shape the world.
Students at Alleyn’s are encouraged to contribute their talents and enthusiasm to a dynamic environment that values respect, opportunity, curiosity, courage, and kindness. The school believes in the importance of bringing joy to learning and discovery, with an impressive range of over 220 co-curricular options, including 60 weekly sports clubs and 40 musical ensembles, designed to help students find their passions and develop new skills.
Alleyn’s has a distinctive approach to admissions. Although academic ability is an important part of the selection process, the School states that it wants to understand the whole child: their academic potential, interests, enthusiasm and what they could contribute to the wider life of the School.
This matters when preparing for Alleyn’s entrance exams.
A child who has simply learnt how to work through hundreds of practice questions may perform well on familiar material, but successful preparation should go further. Candidates need to become comfortable with unfamiliar problems, think independently, read closely and communicate their ideas with clarity.
There are several formal entry points to Alleyn’s, including:
11+ entry into Year 7
16+ entry into Year 12
Earlier entry points through Alleyn’s Junior Schools
Alleyn's 11+ Admissions
The Alleyn’s 11+ is the main entry point into the Senior School at Year 7.
Alleyn’s offers around 150 places at Year 7. The School states that approximately two thirds of these new pupils join from a wide range of state and independent schools, with the remaining pupils joining from Alleyn’s Junior School.
One particularly important point for prospective applicants is that Alleyn’s does not use the ISEB Common Pre-Test as part of its 11+ admissions process.
Instead, candidates attend Alleyn’s for written assessments in:
Reasoning
English
Mathematics
Candidates whose assessment results and school report demonstrate the potential to flourish at Alleyn’s may then be invited to a small-group activity and one-to-one interview.
That means preparation needs to encompass more than traditional 11+ tuition. Academic preparation is essential, but pupils should also be encouraged to read widely and develop their intellectual curiosity.
Applicants must attend the school for entrance exams and a follow up group activity and interview day to get a more holistic view of the student.
Here’s a helpful timeline for Alleyn’s 11+ admissions:
September: open days and taster afternoons, selection of dates
November: Deadline to register for Alleyn’s 11+ entry
End of November: Sports Scholarship assessment day
Early January: entrance exams sat at the school
End of January: Successful students are invited back to attend a group activity and individual interview.
Alleyn's 11+ Entrance Exam: What Is Tested?
The Alleyn’s 11+ entrance exams cover English, Mathematics and Reasoning.
The School provides sample papers and guidance for prospective candidates, making these resources an excellent starting point for understanding the style and level of the assessments.
Alleyn’s 11+ Reasoning
The Reasoning assessment is designed to test a candidate’s ability to recognise patterns, process information and solve unfamiliar problems.
Preparation should therefore focus on developing flexible reasoning skills rather than simply memorising particular question types.
We’ve dedicated a separate guide to the ins and outs of Mastering Non-Verbal Reasoning, so we recommend you take a look at that if you’re feeling a little stuck as to where to begin!
Alleyn’s also recommends practising with the GL Bond books which are great for giving you an understanding of common verbal and non-verbal reasoning question types, though the Alleyn’s 11+ format will be different.
Alleyn’s 11+ English
The Alleyn’s 11+ English assessment rewards pupils who can combine careful reading with imaginative and sophisticated writing.
The School’s sample material indicates that candidates may be given a literary extract and asked to respond through narrative or descriptive writing. Candidates are expected to demonstrated a detailed understanding of the passage as well as imagination and linguistic flair.
For the former, students are actually offered hints about where to focus their reading of the text that could help them understand what are key details to include.
For example, in the Alleyn’s 11+ past paper for English with an extract from Great Expectations, students are given the prompt:
Show that you have thought about:
the characters we meet in the passage
where the story is set
the way the writer uses language to bring his scene to life
In order to excel in the Alleyn’s 11+ English paper, time management is really important. We recommend spending 10 minutes reading the text and thinking about key details to include and leaving 25 minutes for writing.
Alleyn’s 11+ Maths
The Alleyn’s 11+ Maths paper is based on material pupiles should encounter through the National Curriculum, including areas such as number and algebra, shape, space and measures, and handling data.
The paper is designed to be accessible so it shouldn’t include questions your child hasn’t already studied at school; however, that doesn’t mean content won’t be challenging or ask them to apply their knowledge to harder questions.
You can view a sample Alleyn’s 11+ Maths Past Paper. The questions are a mix of multiple-choice and longer questions that require candidates to show their working.
The Alleyn's 11+ Interview and Group Activity
Unlock Success in Your 10 and 11+ Interviews with Expert Guidance!
Are you feeling nervous about interviews for top UK independent schools such as Westminster , St. Paul's, City of London School, Sevenoaks, Wycombe Abbey and Cheltenham Ladies’ College? Our comprehensive 23-page guide, designed by our experienced 11+ tutors, is tailored to benefit students both within the UK and those relocating from abroad.
Inside, you'll find a wealth of invaluable resources, including:
Expertly crafted responses to frequently asked interview questions from top UK schools.
Proven strategies, trusted by renowned 11+ tutors, to efficiently prepare for your interviews and boost your confidence.
This guide covers a spectrum of vital 10 and 11 Plus interview topics, including:
In-depth answers to questions about the school itself, showcasing your genuine interest.
A detailed exploration of your extracurricular profile, interests, and achievements, designed to set you apart.
Rigorous mental math practice questions to sharpen your skills.
Engaging literary and general academic inquiries that demonstrate your intellectual prowess.
Insightful strategies to navigate personality test questions with confidence.
Further 10 and 11 Plus Interview and Test Preparation
Are you looking for potential 10 or 11 Plus tuition to support your child in entry to their target schools? Our team of 10 and 11+ tutors have extensive experience in guiding students through the interview process. We offer 1-1 preparation sessions, going over each possible format of question and how to prepare. We also offer 10 and 11+ mock interview sessions to simulate the interview environment and provide constructive feedback.
We also provide 11+ preparation across all subjects e.g. Maths, English, Reasoning.
Book a free consultation with us to explore our offerings further and discuss your specific needs. We would love to help you prepare your child for success in the 10 or 11 Plus interviews!
For candidates who perform strongly in the initial assessments, the next stage is a group activity and one-to-one interview.
This stage is particularly important because it gives Alleyn’s the opportunity to understand a candidate beyond their written examination results.
The School is interested in pupils who can engage enthusiastically with its academic and co-curricular opportunities.
At this point, the school is looking to get a more holistic picture of your child’s interests and enthusiasm for the school. It’s important that they’re able to talk about their ats of opportunities to practise with them.
If you’d like support with Alleyn’s 11+ admissions, take a look at our 11+ page to find the full range of ways we can support you. We offer everything from one-to-one tailored tuition to group summer courses to boost 11+ English and Maths skills. You can also get in touch to book a free initial consultation to discuss your needs.
How to Prepare for the Alleyn's 11+
Preparing for the Alleyn’s 11+ is not simply a matter of working through as many practice papers as possible. The entrance exams are designed to test how pupils apply what they know, solve unfamiliar problems and communicate their ideas — and successful candidates must also be ready to engage confidently in the interview and group activity.
At U2 Tuition, we take a personalised, child-centred approach to Alleyn’s 11+ preparation. Rather than putting every pupil through the same programme, we identify their individual strengths and areas for development before building a preparation plan around them.
Our 11+ tutors can assess the level your child is at, and recommend how sessions can be structured to best support their application. Book a complimentary consultation with one of the team at U2 to discuss our tuition programmes and we can support your child.
Bespoke Alleyn’s 11+ Tuition
Our experienced 11+ tutors can provide targeted support across the three areas assessed by Alleyn’s:
English: developing reading comprehension, creative writing, vocabulary, structure and linguistic flair
Mathematics: strengthening core concepts while developing the ability to apply mathematical knowledge to unfamiliar and more challenging problems
Reasoning: building verbal, non-verbal and spatial reasoning skills, alongside speed, accuracy and confidence
Lessons are tailored to the pupil. If a child is already strong in one area, we can stretch them further; if they are struggling with a particular concept or question type, we can slow down and address the underlying issue before moving on.
This means preparation is focused, purposeful and responsive, rather than simply generating more homework.
Developing the Skills Behind the Exam
At U2, we are interested not only in whether a pupil gets an answer right, but how they arrive at it.
For the Alleyn’s 11+, this might mean encouraging a pupil to explain their mathematical reasoning, identify exactly why a particular interpretation of a text is convincing, or approach an unfamiliar reasoning problem from a different angle.
Over time, this develops the independence and intellectual flexibility that selective schools such as Alleyn’s are looking for.
Building Confidence for the Alleyn’s 11+ Interview
Performing well in the written assessments is only part of the process. Candidates who progress are invited to a group activity and individual interview, giving Alleyn’s the opportunity to understand their interests, enthusiasm and personality beyond their exam results.
This is where preparation needs to feel very different from traditional exam practice.
Our tutors help pupils become comfortable discussing:
their favourite subjects and areas of learning
books and ideas that interest them
hobbies and extracurricular activities
achievements and experiences
why they are interested in Alleyn’s
questions they have about the world around them
We also use mock interview sessions to recreate the experience of an independent-school interview. Pupils receive constructive feedback on how clearly they communicate, how they respond to follow-up questions and how effectively they develop their answers.
The aim is not to teach a child a script. It is to help them become confident enough to think aloud, express their personality and respond naturally.
Preparing for the Group Activity
The group activity is another opportunity for candidates to demonstrate how they engage with other pupils.
U2 can help children develop the confidence to contribute ideas while also listening carefully, responding thoughtfully and working collaboratively. We encourage pupils to understand that successful participation is not about being the loudest person in the room; it is about making a meaningful contribution and showing curiosity, cooperation and respect for others.
A Preparation Programme Built Around Your Child
There is no universal starting point for Alleyn’s 11+ preparation.
U2 can provide a tailored combination of:
1-to-1 tuition
Focused academic support in English, Maths and Reasoning, with lessons adapted to your child's needs.
Mock examinations
Practice under realistic conditions, followed by detailed feedback to identify where marks can be gained.
Interview preparation
One-to-one mock interviews designed to build confidence, improve communication and prepare pupils for unexpected questions.
Targeted resources and practice
Carefully selected exercises to reinforce weaker areas and stretch pupils who are already performing strongly.
Ongoing feedback
A clear understanding of progress, allowing preparation to evolve as the child develops.
The aim of 11+ preparation should not be to turn a child into someone who can simply pass an entrance examination. It should be to help them become more capable, more confident and more intellectually curious — so that they can approach the Alleyn’s admissions process ready to show what they can do.
If you are considering Alleyn’s 11+ admissions for your child, our team can discuss their current level, your target timeline and the areas in which they would benefit most from support.
Alleyn's 16+ Admissions: Sixth Form Entry
Around 40 new pupils join Alleyn’s Sixth Form each year, coming from a range of schools and backgrounds.
The process consists of:
Application and personal statement
Written entrance assessments
General interview
Two academic interviews
Applicants for Alleyn’s Sixth Form must sit four general papers before attending subject-specific interviews. Here’s a breakdown of the whole process.
Early October: Registration closes. Applicants must complete a personal statement as part of their application form
Early November: All applicants for Alleyn’s Sixth Form sit the entrance exams
Late November: Applicants who perform well in these tests are invited back to the school to attend interviews.
The assessment for Alleyn’s Sixth Form is unique, designed to be accessible to everyone and test skills that indicate suitability for life in Alleyn’s Sixth Form, not any specific subject content. All students sit three papers:
Quantitative reasoning
Qualitative reasoning
Critical writing
Alleyn’s Sixth Form recognises that not all papers are equally relevant for all students and will consider scores in the two most relevant papers. For example, if you are applying to study English, History and French, your quantitative reasoning score may be viewed as less significant by the admissions team.
While there are no sample papers available, we’ve curated some tips and advice to help you understand these papers and stand out.
What Are the Alleyn's 16+ Entrance Exams?
All candidates sit three general assessments:
Mathematics
Reasoning
Critical Writing
These papers are not syllabus-dependent and are intended to provide candidates from different educational backgrounds with an opportunity to demonstrate their underlying skills.
Alleyn’s primarily considers the two papers most relevant to the candidate’s chosen A Level subjects.
Alleyn’s 16+ Mathematics
The Mathematics paper consists of multiple-choice questions and is non-calculator.
The School states that it should be accessible to pupils studying GCSE Mathematics and is not tied to a particular syllabus. Preparation can include reviewing areas such as:
algebra
trigonometry
numerical problems
mathematical reasoning
A great way to prepare is reviewing GCSE questions on trigonometry, algebra and numerical problems and working through more examples of these.
Alleyn’s 16+ Reasoning
The Reasoning assessment includes short texts, graphs and tables followed by multiple-choice questions.
The emphasis is on analysing information and responding intelligently to it.
Preparation should therefore focus on:
Extracting relevant information
Identifying patterns
Interpreting data
Distinguishing evidence from assumptions
Evaluating information quickly
Reading accurately under time pressure
Alleyn’s 16+ Critical Writing
The Critical Writing paper asks candidates to write a short essay in response to a broad question. They are not expected to have any prior knowledge to support their answer. Instead, the essay tests their critical thinking skills and ability to construct a convincing and intelligent argument. In the paper, they will be offered some details on how best to structure the essay.
Here are some practice questions for the critical writing paper:
Humans should never be cloned
Freedom of speech should have limits.
Capitalism is inherently unfair.
Meat consumption should be banned to combat climate change.
You may also be interested in some of our co-curricular clubs and activities run on our co-curricular division, Minds Underground. These are all designed to boost critical thinking skills, especially our weekly Debate club which is a great way for students to improve their analysis of arguments and strategic thinking, ideal for the critical writing paper. They are also a great way to show your enthusiasm to get involved in learning beyond the classroom and get stuck into life at Alleyn’s.
The Alleyn's 16+ Interview
Don’t know what to expect for 16 Plus interviews?
This 63-page guide includes commonly asked 16 plus interview questions from top UK schools, including general personal & academic questions, situational, current affairs & debate questions and subject-specific questions for 16+ interviews on A-Level or IB choices (History, Geography, English, Maths, Sciences, Philosophy, Politics, Economics, Computer Science, Theology and Languages). Gain insight into the types of questions asked at interview and top tips for efficient preparation, written by our Oxbridge-educated team.
N.B. This guide is particularly suitable for those applying to leading UK Schools such as Westminster, St Paul’s, King’s College Wimbledon, Magdalen College School and Sevenoaks, who challenge students with subject-specific interviews in each of their A-Level or IB choices. Some of the questions in the pack are quite tricky to stretch students beyond the GCSE syllabus!
16+ Interview Questions Pack Contents
Situational/ Competency questions
Questions about the school
Extracurricular profile: interests and achievements & suggestions for profile enhancement
General academic questions e.g. “How would you eradicate gender inequalities in society?” or “Do bankers deserve the pay they receive? Should the government limit it?”
Personality test questions e.g. “Who’s your hero?”
Subject-specific questions: Preparation tips, information on typical subject interview formats & example past questions.
In need of some extra 16+ support?
It can be really helpful to work with a specialist 16+ tutor to prepare your 16+ application and particularly practise for the 16+ interview. We strongly suggest brainstorming answers to the questions provided in the pack and then practising them in a mock interview setting. U2 Tuition to pair students with a 16+ mentor to work with or to schedule a mock interview in preparation for 16+ entrance. You can book a complimentary consultation on our Contact Us page to discuss different options.
Visit Our 16+ Tutoring Page For More Details on Tuition Options
If successful in these papers, students will be invited to a general interview at Alleyn’s with members of the Upper School team to discuss motivation for the school and A Level subjects, as well as two academic interviews with teachers in the subjects.
General Interview
The general interview explores the candidate’s:
Motivation for joining Alleyn’s
Academic interests
A Level choices
Wider interests
Reasons for wanting to join the School
Two academic interviews
Candidates also have 2 subject interviews based on their chosen A Level subjects.
These interviews explore why the candidate wants to study the subject and assess their academic potential through questions and discussion around information or a prompt.
This is where genuine intellectual engagement becomes extremely important.
In these subject-specific interviews, students will be given a prompt or piece of information that forms the basis of the interview’s discussion.
How to Prepare for an Alleyn's 16+ Interview
If your child would like support preparing for interviews for Alleyn’s Sixth Form, we have a great team of tutors who have rich experience guiding students through the interview process for Alleyn’s and other top UK schools. Tutors can help students prepare for the interview format and hone their answers in order to show off their suitability for the school. Find out more.
If you’d like further advice on standing out in Alleyn’s Sixth Form admissions and securing a place, you might be interested in our 16+ Interview guide. This interview guide is filled with essential tips and a bank of 16+ interview questions to help you practice and go into the interview feeling more prepared.
Alleyn's Scholarships and Bursaries
There are a wide variety of Alleyn’s scholarships available at both 11+ and 16+ entry, worth up to £5000 per year. At 11+ entry, students can gain scholarships in academics, art, music, drama and DT, as well as the Alleyn’s sports scholarship for talented young athletes. At Alleyn’s Sixth Form, scholarships are offered for academics, performing arts and sports. Scholarships are not means-tested.
At all ages, the selection for Alleyn’s scholarships is via competitive assessment days. Students will generally be shortlisted after a first assessment day and invited to return to a follow up assessment day before scholarships are offered, dependent on being successful in all other areas of the Alleyn’s admissions process.
The school also offers means tested bursaries to all applicants.
How U2 Tuition Can Support Alleyn's Admissions
At U2 Tuition, we provide comprehensive support for Alleyn's School admissions, tailored to your child's unique needs. Our expert tutors specialise in 7+, 11+, and 16+ entry, offering personalised guidance across all stages of the admissions process:
Entrance Exam Preparation: Targeted tutoring for English, Maths, and Non-Verbal Reasoning to build the skills needed for Alleyn's 11+ exams, and skills-based preparation for Alleyn’s Sixth Form entrance exams.
Interview Preparation: Mock interviews and bespoke feedback to help your child articulate their thoughts clearly, showcase their strengths, and demonstrate their enthusiasm for learning.
Co-Curricular Guidance: Expert advice to align your child's interests and achievements with Alleyn's holistic ethos. We also offer a variety of co-curricular activities through our Minds Underground platform.
We’re here to help your child shine in Alleyn's highly competitive admissions process. Contact us today to learn how we can support you.