Alleyn's School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

​Alleyn's School is a prestigious co-educational selective independent school located in Dulwich, London. Founded in 1619, it provides exceptional education to 1450+ pupils aged 4 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Ranked among the best independent schools in the UK, Alleyn's delivers stellar academic results. In its most recent inspection, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) confirmed the school successfully met all required standards, with inspectors highly praising its 'consistently ambitious' teaching, 'well-rounded education,' and 'excellent pastoral setting.

Alleyn’s creates distinct learning opportunities through its bespoke Alleyn's Learners’ Programme and the student-run Alleyn’s Radio station. As a pioneer of co-education, the school combines this progressive spirit with extensive pastoral support via The Well to nurture balanced, high-achieving students.

In this guide, I leverage my 6+ year education consultancy background to simplify Alleyn's School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions for every parent.

School Details

• Type of School: Independent School
  
• Boarding Type: No Boarding (Day School)
  
• Gender Type: Co-educational (Mixed)
  
• Religion: Church of England
  
• Age Range: 4 to 18 years
  
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1450+
  
• Alleyn's School GCSE Results (2025): 95% achieved Grade 9–7
  
• Alleyn's School A-Level Results (2025): 81% achieved A*–A
  

Admissions Details

• Admissions Policy: Selective
  
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN):150
  
• Exam Board: Internal School Exams (English & Maths) and GL Assessment (Reasoning)
  
• Number of Stages: 2 Stages (Entrance Exam and Interview)
  
• School Catchment Area: No
  
• Sibling Policy: Yes (See admissions policy for details)
  
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%
  

Preparing for the Alleyn's School open day and coordinating the test schedule requires meticulous planning. I have compiled the definitive calendar of Alleyn's School 11 plus exam dates, including the vital registration deadlines, to guide your family through every stage of the admissions process. These 11 plus exam dates are arranged chronologically to help you plan the academic year efficiently.

Alleyn's School manages its own 11+ Exam entry for September 2026. Parents must follow the 11 plus exam process on the Alleyn's School Admissions Policy page. This is vital for entry to one of the top independent schools in Southwark.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

• ​Submit the online registration form via Alleyn's website by the general deadline in early November 2025.
  
• Pay the standard registration fee. If applying for a bursary, ensure all additional means-testing financial forms are completed by the specific bursary deadline outlined by the school.
  
• Note that Alleyn's conducts its own bespoke entrance examinations; all registered candidates will be invited to sit these papers directly at Alleyn's School.
  
• Finalise the 11 plus exam registration to confirm your child's attendance for the assessment day in January 2026.
  

What exam board does Alleyn's follow?

The school sets its own bespoke papers for English and Mathematics. The Reasoning assessment is provided by GL Assessment.

How long is the 11+ Exam for Alleyn's?

The assessment includes papers in English, Mathematics, and Reasoning, totalling approximately 2 hours of actual testing time.

In this section, we explore what is in the 11 Plus exam at Alleyn's School.

The admissions process for Year 7 entry in September 2026 identifies students with academic potential and a curious mindset. Applicants entering in 2026 will sit their entrance examinations in early January 2026.

As stated in the Alleyn's School Admissions Policy, the school conducts a single day of academic assessments. All registered candidates are invited to the school to sit these formal papers.

11+ English

Alleyn's has recently updated its English paper format. They have moved away from traditional written comprehension questions to focus entirely on creative expression.

• Creative Writing Focus: Students are given a reading stimulus (usually an unseen prose fiction passage) and asked to produce a piece of creative writing in response, such as continuing the story in the same style.
• Assessment: Markers are looking for reading comprehension (demonstrated through how well the student grasps the tone and details of the extract), imaginative flair, emotional perception, and accurate spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPAG).
  

11+ Mathematics

The 11+ Mathematics paper assesses fluency in numbers and the ability to apply knowledge to new, challenging situations.

• The content is based firmly on the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum.
  
• The paper is designed to start with accessible, quick-fire arithmetic and calculation skills before moving into challenging multi-step extension questions towards the end.
  

Reasoning

The Alleyn's School 11 Plus Test includes a GL Assessment Reasoning paper to evaluate pure cognitive potential and problem-solving speed.

• Verbal Reasoning: Tests the child's understanding of language sequences and vocabulary.
  
• Non-Verbal & Spatial Reasoning: Assesses the ability to solve problems and mentally manipulate 2D and 3D shapes, patterns, and abstract figures.
  

Check out our blog on Free 11 Plus Papers with Answers pdf to familiarise yourself with the 11+ Exam Format of Best Private Schools in UK.

The 11+ Interview

Candidates who perform well in the written papers are invited back for an interview later in January. This session allows the school to see the child's personality and interests.

• The interview is a general conversation with a senior staff member.
  
• It explores the candidate's hobbies, reading habits, and wider interests.
  
• Parents should review 11+ Interview Questions to help their child feel confident for this discussion.
  
• There may also be a group activity to observe how children interact with peers.
  

Alleyn’s School does not publish specific 11 plus test results required for entry. Selection is competitive, based on relative performance in the eleven plus exam rather than a fixed threshold.

While Alleyns lacks an official cutoff, if a child achieves a 95%+ score in PiAcademy’s 11+ Practice Papers, they will be able to ace the Alleyn's School 11 plus exam.

Alleyn's School is the premier co-educational choice in South East London, blending academic rigour with a progressive ethos. However, with over 1,000 candidates competing for roughly 100 places, the acceptance rate is incredibly low.

As an Education Consultant, I consistently advise families not to fixate on a single "dream school." A robust application strategy includes three Grammar schools and two Private options to ensure success.

This balanced approach safeguards your child’s future against the unpredictable nature of the Alleyns entrance process. You can review the specific admissions criteria at Alleyn's School admissions to benchmark your alternative choices.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

​Most applicants to Alleyns look for academically parallel peer groups within the Dulwich and Bromley areas. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to Alleyn's School

• ​Dulwich College & JAGS: These schools share the same historic foundation as Alleyn's. They offer an identical level of prestige and academic intensity, making them the natural single-sex alternatives in the immediate vicinity.
  
• St Olave’s & Newstead Wood: These are the "Super Selective" grammar options for high achievers. If your child is scoring highly on Alleyns mock papers, they are academically capable of targeting these tuition-free powerhouses.
  
• St Dunstan’s College: Situated in nearby Catford, this is a strong co-educational alternative. It mirrors the forward-looking, holistic values of Alleyn's, focusing heavily on value-added education and pastoral care.
  

The Alleyn's School 11+ entrance examination consists of papers in Mathematics, English, and Reasoning. The school sets its own papers for Maths and English to select candidates who demonstrate high academic potential.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths Topics

Our analysis of 11+ Maths papers from Alleyn's School indicates a strong focus on Key Stage 2 core topics. Questions often test a student's ability to apply numerical skills to novel problem-solving scenarios.

This breakdown clearly shows that Numbers and Geometry account for over half of the expected questions (58%) in the 11 Plus Test.

Try our 11 Plus Maths topics-wise Questions with more than 15,000+ Questions. It includes the complete 11+ maths planner and worksheets.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English Topics

The English paper typically assesses Reading Comprehension and Creative Writing skills. 11 plus English papers for Alleyn's require students to infer meaning from advanced texts and write creatively under time pressure.

Analysis of 11+ Verbal Reasoning Topics

​The 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning section tests a child's potential to think with words and manipulate language. Questions often involve finding patterns, codes, and word meanings.

Analysis of 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Topics

​11 Plus Non Verbal Reasoning Papers assess the ability to analyse visual information and solve problems using shapes. Essential topics include Odd One Out, Analogies, and 3D shapes.

Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for Alleyn's School?

​Our targeted 11+ past papers and practice packs are based on the actual exam patterns of top independent schools. These resources help students familiarize themselves with the 11+ maths questions and English formats well in advance.

Alleyn's School is highly competitive, requiring focused preparation for their bespoke English and Maths papers, alongside their GL Assessment Reasoning paper. Sitting an Alleyn's School 11 plus mock exam helps students master the specific format and timing. These 11 plus mock tests are essential for identifying weak areas before the real assessment at Alleyns.

Locating the best 11 plus mock test Southwark offers ensures your child is ready for the pressure of this prestigious school. You can also try our Free 11 plus mock test to gauge their current ability levels effectively.

For the 2025-26 academic year, the termly fee for Alleyn’s Senior School is £10,338 (inclusive of VAT). This cost covers tuition, the vast majority of co-curricular activities, and personal accident insurance. Please note that school lunches are not included in this fee and are charged separately.

To assist families, means-tested Alleyn's School bursaries are available for those requiring financial aid. The school also awards Alleyn's School Scholarships to recognise potential in academics, sport, music, art, drama, and design technology.

If you are exploring private school scholarships and bursaries, Alleyn's provides a substantial programme. You can view our guide on the most expensive Private Schools UK to compare these fees.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Monday 1^st September 2025 to Friday 17^th October 2025
  
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 3^rd November 2025 to Wednesday 17^th December 2025
  
• Spring Half Term 1: Monday 12^th January 2026 to Friday 13^th February 2026
  
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 23^rd February 2026 to Friday 27^th March 2026
  
• Summer Half Term 1: Wednesday 22^nd April 2026 to Friday 22^nd May 2026
  
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 1^st June 2026 to Thursday 2^nd July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Alleyn's School Official Website.

Independent school admissions involve direct applications, distinct registration deadlines, and bespoke pre-testing. Review these official inspection reports and testing guidelines to prepare your child for Alleyn's School.

• GL Assessment Familiarisation Materials
• UK Govt. - Get Information on Alleyn's School Page
• Alleyn's School ISI report
• Alleyn's School - Charity Commission
• UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data