“Our son performed exceptionally well in the 11+ exams, receiving offers and scholarship from every school including the prestigious Sadlers Scholarship at Alleyn’s. We attribute this success to Nick’s unwaivering enthusiasm as a tutor”

If you have found yourself Googling “How hard is it to get into Alleyn’s School?” at midnight, you are not alone.

Alleyn’s is one of South London’s true heavyweights. Academically elite, progressive in outlook and genuinely nurturing in its pastoral care, it attracts ambitious families who want high standards without squeezing individuality out of their child.

Scientists. Writers. Actors. Athletes. Whatever lights your child up, Alleyn’s will stretch them.

So yes, it is competitive.
But for the right child, with the right preparation, it is very much achievable.

Let’s break it down properly.

Why Alleyn’s School Is So Popular

• Located in Dulwich, South East London, Alleyn’s is a co educational, day only independent school for over 1,300 pupils aged 4 to 18. It consistently ranks among the most sought after schools in London, and was crowned Co educational Independent School of the Year 2025 at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards

The results speak volumes.

• 81 percent of A Levels were graded A star to A in 2025
• 41 percent achieved A star
• 12 percent of leavers secured Oxbridge places

The Good Schools Guide describes Alleyn’s as:

“A vibrant, forward thinking school with excellent results, where pupils are enthusiastic, articulate and genuinely enjoy learning.”

Parents love that it is academically ambitious without being narrow, and children thrive because they are encouraged to be fully themselves.

So How Hard Is It to Get Into Alleyn’s at 11+?

Let’s be honest. The Alleyn’s 11+ is one of London’s most competitive entry points.

Here is why.

• Around 100 external places are offered each year at 11+
• Approximately 50 places are taken by internal Junior School pupils
• External applicants are therefore competing for fewer than 100 places
• Applications come from strong candidates across London and beyond

In short, demand massively outstrips supply.

But difficulty does not mean impossibility.
It means strategy matters.

Alleyn’s is not simply looking for children who have been heavily drilled. The admissions process is designed to identify potential, thinking style and readiness to thrive in a fast paced, ideas led environment.

What Kind of Child Thrives at Alleyn’s?

Alleyn’s is not looking for robotic exam performers.

Children who tend to thrive here are often:

• Bright, curious and quick thinking
• Comfortable with pace and challenge
• Confident communicators or developing into them
• Happy getting involved in sport, drama, music, clubs and teamwork

It is a busy, stimulating environment that rewards:

• Independence
• Enthusiasm
• Collaboration

Children who genuinely enjoy learning, rather than just tolerating it, often shine brightest.

Admissions at a Glance

• Entry points: 4+, 7+, 9+, 11+ and 16+
• School type: Co educational, day only
• Location: Dulwich, South East London

The 11+ Timeline

• Applications are typically made around a year in advance
• Autumn of Year 6 includes a taster afternoon
• Entrance exams take place in January
• Shortlisted pupils are invited to interview and group assessment

Occasionally, rare places open up in other year groups, but these move quickly.

What Is in the Alleyn’s 11+ Exam?

From 2024 onwards, Alleyn’s introduced shorter, stretch level papers designed to test thinking rather than rote learning.

• Reasoning
  45 minutes covering verbal, non verbal and spatial reasoning
• Maths
  30 minutes focusing on core topics, speed and accuracy
• English
  40 minutes consisting of a single creative writing task based on a literary text

This is where many bright children stumble. Not because they lack ability, but because they are unfamiliar with:

• The pace of the papers
• The expectations of the school
• The subtle differences in style compared to other 11+ exams

Why Alleyn’s Specific 11+ Preparation Makes a Difference

At The Happy Scholar, Alleyn’s is a school we know inside out.

We work with specific Alleyn’s 11+ tutors who understand the nuances of the exam, including:

• How Alleyn’s reasoning papers differ from other selective schools
• What admissions teams really look for in the English writing task
• Where maths marks are typically won or lost on speed and precision

This insight shapes how we prepare children.

Our Alleyn’s focused preparation supports pupils by:

• Developing the thinking style Alleyn’s values
• Building confidence with timing and unfamiliar question formats
• Refining creative writing so it feels original, controlled and engaging
• Preparing pupils for interviews and group tasks so they communicate clearly and confidently

This is not generic 11+ tutoring. It is targeted, strategic preparation designed to help each child show their potential in a way that genuinely resonates with Alleyn’s.

We have an exceptional success rate, helping pupils secure places and scholarships every year, including the highly coveted Saddlers’ Scholarship.

Open Days. Go Early or Miss Out

Open Days are essential if you are serious about Alleyn’s, and they fill quickly.

• Junior School Open Days: Autumn
• Senior School Open Days: Summer

They give families a real sense of the scale, energy and atmosphere of the school, from the theatre to the observatory, and help children picture themselves there.

Scholarships and Bursaries at Alleyn’s

Alleyn’s is refreshingly serious about recognising talent and widening access.

Scholarships

• Merit based awards of up to £5,000 per year
• Awarded in academics, music, sport, drama, art and design and technology
• Music scholarships often include free tuition
• Prestigious awards include the Saddlers’ Scholarship
• Smaller exhibitions may offer honorary awards or free lessons

Bursaries

• Around 10 percent of Senior School pupils receive means tested bursaries
• Awards can cover up to 100 percent of fees, plus trips, IT and uniform
• 70 fully funded places were offered in 2024 to 2025
• Scholarships and bursaries can be combined

For many families, this makes an Alleyn’s education genuinely achievable.

Fees for Context

• Senior School: £31,014 per year
• Junior School: £27,684 per year

Scholarships reduce fees and bursaries can significantly lower or fully cover costs.

Is Alleyn’s Right for Your Child?

Alleyn’s is competitive, yes. But it is very achievable for the right child.

For curious, motivated and adaptable children who enjoy being stretched, it can be an extraordinary place to grow. With focused preparation, confidence building and strategic support, many children who initially seem borderline go on to succeed.

At The Happy Scholar, we help children present the very best of who they already are. Not by changing them, but by understanding the demands of the Alleyn’s 11+ and preparing them to meet it with confidence.