11 plus (11+) Exam – Alleyn’s School – What you need to know

Alleyn’s School 11 plus (11+) exam for Year 7 entry

Entry Level Eleven Plus (11+) exam

School Name Alleyn’s

Description Co-ed; day

Age range 11-18

Size 985 approx

Fees £6,284 per term

Address Townley Road, Dulwich, London, SE22 8SU

Email (general enquiries): reception@alleyns.org.uk

Website www.alleyns.org.uk

Telephone (general enquiries): +44 (0) 208 557 1500

Head Gary Savage

Admissions (11+) Louise Mawer Tel + 44 (0) 208 557 1478

Admissions email registrar@alleyns.org.uk

Overview

Alleyn’s is one of the UKs top academic co-ed schools; a school which firmly believes that boys and girls learning together provides the best framework for students to excel at school; to discover new ideas, skills and enthusiasms; and to prepare for university, the world of work and life in general.

Situated in south east London on a 30 acre site, it aims to provide a fully holistic approach to education to support and nurture every individual, enabling each to fulfil his or her own potential while making lasting friendships and enjoying life to the full.

Whilst the school’s website is a little daunting in its traditional design, we urge you to persevere and discover this great school!

Admissions Process for Alleyn’s Eleven Plus (11+) exam for Year 7 entry

There are approximately 135 places available at Alleyn’s at 11+

Open Days

Prospective families are encouraged to attend any an Autumn Term Open Day. There is no need to book. All sessions include a talk by the Headmaster and pupil-guided tours.

If you would prefer to see timetabled lessons and the school on a normal working day, you can attend one of the weekday afternoon sessions. They provide a chance to talk to Heads of Department and other senior members of the teaching staff over a cup of tea. To reserve your place for an afternoon session, contact Louise Mawer on 0208 557 1478 or email: registrar@alleyns.org.uk

Registration

Registration opens in September and ends in mid November. Check out the school’s website here for key dates and deadlines.

Application forms can be downloaded from the school’s website during the Sep-Nov registration period.

Entrance Exams

Candidates for 11+ at Alleyn’s School take papers in English (1hr 10mins), maths (1hr) and reasoning.

English paper

The exam consists of two sections. Section A is a prose passage, followed by comprehension questions. The questions test understanding, both of what has been read (including vocabulary) and the effects of the writer’s use of language. This section is worth 60% of the marks. Section B consists of directed writing questions (composition). Clarity, fluency and accuracy of written expression are the prime criteria for this section; imaginative flair is also rewarded. This section is worth 40% of the marks.

Maths paper

The exam is largely set on the National Curriculum KS2 Level 5 and above. The final questions on the paper are harder, extension questions.

Reasoning paper

The verbal reasoning test mainly involves reasoning with words. It typically includes a variety of question types that involve the production of, use of, and relations between, words.

Non-verbal reasoning involves reasoning with abstract figures. Some questions, for example, might look at relationships between shapes and sequences of shapes, by identifying common features from a set of figures and applying them to a new figure.

Spatial reasoning tests are similar to non-verbal reasoning tests in that they involve reasoning with abstract figures. Spatial reasoning questions typically involve the mental creation, retention and manipulation of visual images.

Answers are marked in pencil on a pre-printed multiple-choice answer sheet.

Recommended Materials

English practice papers, ideal for Alleyn’s eleven plus (11+) exam preparation:

11+ English Pack 1

11+ English Pack 2

11+ English Pack 3

11+ Writing Prompts

11+ Spelling Pack 1

11+ Spelling Pack 2

Maths practice papers, ideal for Alleyn’s eleven plus (11+) exam preparation:

11+ Mathematics Pack 1

11+ Mathematics Pack 2

11+ Mathematics Pack 3

11+ Mental Arithmetic

Reasoning practice papers, ideal for Alleyn’s eleven plus (11+) exam preparation:

11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Pack 1

11 + Verbal Reasoning Pack 1

11+ Verbal Reasoning Pack 2

11+ Verbal Reasoning Pack 3

To practise Spatial Reasoning, we advise taking the CAT Practice Tests available here. They contain Spatial Reasoning modules.

We also have detailed video courses available that cover all of the question types that could come up for Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Click the links below to learn more:

11+ Verbal Reasoning Video Course

11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Video Course

Interviews

Children who have done well in the written tests are invited to attend an interview day, which consists of two elements: candidates are assessed in small groups and also have a one-to-one interview with one of the teachers on the School’s admissions panel. Parents are not interviewed. Candidates will be asked about their interests in and out of school. The school will be seeking to identify those best suited to the education offered at Alleyn’s.

Parents will be advised if their child is under consideration for an academic scholarship at 11+ and these candidates will be invited for a longer interview.

Bursaries

Bursaries and scholarships are available for entry at 11+ to Alleyn’s and further information can be found here.

Other Entry Points: 7+, 9+, 16+