Upper School 16+

Registration period opens	Friday 1 September 2023
Registration period closes	Friday 13 October 2023 at midday
16+ Entrance Assessments	Wednesday 8 November 2023
16+ Interviews	Saturday 25 November 2023

Scholarship Type and Value	Description
Academic Entrance Scholarship Up to £5,000 per year	There are several Academic Entrance Scholarships available at 16+, the value of which will vary according to the merits of the candidate.  The maximum scholarship awarded to any one student is normally £5,000 per year.  Scholarships are awarded for the duration of the student’s attendance at Alleyn’s.  They are not means-tested but are awarded strictly on merit.
Performing Arts Scholarship Up to £5,000 per year	This scholarship is intended to recognise candidates with real flair and potential in dance, drama or music, or a combination of these in any style or genre. Candidates are not expected to have had any particular training and we are hoping to meet students with a real passion and outstanding ability in the Performing Arts.

Application Form

The application form consists of two parts: Part 1 requires parents to provide the key details we need to process the application; Part 2 requires candidates to complete a "personal statement", telling us why they want to come to Alleyn's.

Entrance Assessments

Regardless of their A level choices, all candidates sit general papers that test their skills in Qualitative Reasoning (comprehension and data interpretation), Quantitative Reasoning and Critical Writing. Although it is expected that successful candidates will fare well in all aspects of the written assessment, we understand that these papers will not be equally relevant to all A level options and therefore we will primarily consider a candidate’s scores in the 2 papers that are most relevant, depending on the A level options they have chosen to study.

The assessment acts as a screening process to suggest those who might have the potential to cope with the academic education Alleyn's has to offer.  It is intended that our entrance assessments will enable candidates from all educational backgrounds to demonstrate their innate skills. The papers will not be syllabus-dependent and should be accessible to all.

Please note that we do not publish sample papers for the 16+ admissions assessments.

Quantitative Reasoning

The paper consists of multiple choice questions, which range in difficulty, to test a candidate’s mathematical skills. No calculators are allowed. This should be accessible to anyone who is studying a GCSE Mathematics course and is not syllabus-dependent. To prepare, you could look over some of the questions you have done at school on trigonometry, algebra and numerical problems.

Qualitative Reasoning

The paper consists of i) some short texts with accompanying multiple choice questions which test a candidate’s skills in analysing written information and ii) data such as graphs or tables with accompanying multiple choice questions.

Critical Writing

Candidates write a short 1 page essay on a general question. Details are given on how to structure the answer. No specific prior knowledge is required. Some example questions are given below:

1. Humans should never be cloned
2. There should be a maximum limit for salaries

Interviews

Candidates reaching a satisfactory standard in the assessments will be invited for interviews which will consist of:

• A general interview with members of the Upper School team to discuss subject choices and why candidates want to come to Alleyn’s.
• Two academic interviews in two of your A level subject choices. The interviewer will explore why candidates want to study the subject and assess their potential to do well in the subject by asking them to analyse a piece of information or answer some questions. 

When can I register my child for 16+ entry to Year 12?

You can register your child for 16+ entry when he or she commences Year 11. The registration period will open on 1 September 2022 for 2023 entry. We do not accept early applications and everyone who is registered is invited to sit the entrance examinations. 

How much is the registration fee?

The non-refundable registration fee in September 2022 is £175 or £300 for overseas applicants. You must pay the registration fee when you submit your registration form.

I cannot afford the registration fee. Can I still register my child?

The registration fee is not payable if your child qualifies for the Pupil Premium or if you receive Universal Credit. You must provide written evidence of the Pupil Premium or your Universal Credit when you submit your child’s registration form.

I cannot afford Alleyn’s school fees. Can my child still be considered for a place?

Yes. You can apply for financial assistance to help cover the cost of your child’s school fees. This financial assistance is means-tested and, depending on your circumstances, may cover the full cost of the fees.

Once you have submitted your child’s registration form we will send you a special Bursary Application Form for you to complete and return. This will provide us with important information about your family’s financial situation, which will be assessed by the School Bursar.

Financial assistance is also known as an Academic Bursary.

The Alleyn’s entrance examination clashes with another entrance examination, or is inconvenient. Can my child sit the entrance examination on another day?

All candidates are expected to sit the entrance examinations on the published date and it is not normally possible to offer alternative arrangements. Please inform the Registrar of any examination clashes.

We live overseas at the moment. Must my child sit the entrance examinations at Alleyn’s?

Candidates who are living abroad at the time of the entrance assessments may sit the assessments at another approved test centre by prior arrangement (please note this is usually only applicable to overseas applicants).

Why do I have to sit a Quantitative Reasoning Paper if I don’t want to do Mathematics at A Level?

Our written assessments act as a screening process in order to identify those students with the potential to cope and thrive at Alleyn’s. We will primarily take into account the two most relevant papers out of the three papers sat by each individual candidate. 

Are any past papers available?

We do not publish past papers for the 16+ entrance assessments, but we give some information on the structure of the assessments on our website which will help you to prepare. 

I haven’t studied the subject before, how will I cope with the subject interview?

Subjects such as Art History, Economics, Psychology or Philosophy are based on the assumption that candidates will not have studied these subjects before. They are not offered at GCSE level at Alleyn’s so all of our current Alleyn’s pupils moving up from Year 11 will be starting from scratch too. The relevant Heads of Departments are aware and will not try to catch you out but rather identify the potential in each candidate based on your general knowledge.

If I am offered a place, what happens if I change my mind after selecting the A Levels I want to study?

Once the closing date has passed and for the entire admissions process we cannot change the subjects you have nominated but, if you are offered a place we will, of course, review your A Level options. Changes of mind often do take place in the final year of GCSEs and we do our utmost to accommodate them.

Will I settle in if I join a new School for the Sixth Form?

Of course you are making a big step, but if you are offered a place you will come and visit us in the July before you start. This will give you a chance to meet some of our current pupils and to meet your tutor and Housemaster. When you start, we have an induction day to show you around the campus and a team building event to help meet your fellow students. We usually place a couple of new joiners in each tutor group. There is a lot to take in as you start a new school, but help is always on hand if you have any questions or problems.