Alleyn’s secondary school query

[Snackdealer19]

Starting to think of secondary schools as my Ds will be in year 5 in September. We as a family are keen to explore co-Ed schools aswell as single sex schools.
Managable travel schools on the list are Emanuel, Alleyn’s as others are to far to travel.
I know Alleyn’s has a strong arts and drama department but Is Alleyn’s only suited for kids that are strong in drama and arts? Is there space for a child that isn’t doing lamda and music etc?
Emanuel strikes me as a more sporty school with rowing etc.
thank you!

Alleyne’s isn’t all music and drama, there are plenty of sporty kids or musical kids. They all have strong academics in common though, that’s the only defining feature I can think of.

@ooooohlalathat’s great to hear that it’s all type of kids that attend. I know they are very strong academically but don’t want my Ds to be the odd one out if surrounded by kids who are all doing lamda and doing music. Have heard there is lots of interesting clubs which is a win

Alleyns is fine for someone who isn't musical/arty/into drama.

But the sports offering is smaller than that at Emmanuel with the focus (for boys) on football, swimming and cricket - and no rugby or rowing.

It's a great school with great facilities - definitely worth visiting on an open day.

@Charlotte120221thank you! That’s super helpful to know . Do you know if all kids participate in the school fixtures on the weekend or only if you make the team? I know some schools like Dulwich want all boys to play(a-f teams)

need to book an open day!

Good question! I had a sporty kid who wanted to take part….

pretty sure it’s not compulsory and they’re happy to let non sporty kids not participate. But best check- think the PE staff have changed since dd was in year 7!

@Charlotte120221thank you! Will add the question to my list for open days.
is there an equal balance between girls and boys or do the girls dominate?

Participating in sports fixtures is not compulsory at all. If the pupil does want to and are in one of the teams then school does encourage them to be available on Saturdays - a list of fixtures is available - but they do understand if you cannot make the odd weekend.

@365sleepstogovery helpful to know don’t have to be every weekend if you have other commitments

Is football the main sport for boys?

Football, hockey, cricket
but also swimming, water polo, tennis, basketball and fives

I have a DC at Alleyn's. DC is very spotty and is in a team and plays most weekends. DC is not musical or arty but loves being in the theatre productions. It's 50-50 boys and girls. The main focus is totally academic

I mean sporty not spotty

Brilliant news. Seems there is something for everyone. Sports wise sounds like a win and if you want to dive into drama etc also a possibility too! Do you think it will be harder to get into now that oakfields primary has been taken over by Alleyn’s? Would those kids move to Alleyn’s senior school like Alleyn’s junior school kids?
I have heard it is super tough to get j to as the competition is fierce!

thank you!

I know boys and girls at Alleyn’s who are very happy there. In terms of sport, I do know that they do not play rugby. That was a big no for one of my DC but may not be relevant to you.

I don’t think I have heard many people with kids at Alleyn’s that aren’t happy which is great to hear. Seems like there is an even balance of everything there. Have booked an open day to see it

quick question I see they are always above Dulwich on league tables. Is Alleyn’s harder to get into than Dulwich? I guess due to the co ed yes it is harder but do they have a different academic intake to Dulwich or similar?

From being in the local Dulwich schools scene for years now I'd say Alleyn's seems to be the hardest to get into these days. Families who have been offered Alleyn's + another (Dulwich college or JAGS) tend to pick Alleyn's. It has a general vibe of excellence on all fronts. It is very very hard to get into. They pick kids based on 'all rounders' so they need to be super academic as a base AND perform well in interview AND also have strong extra curricular (whether music or sport or anything else)

IMO Alleyns and DC have a v similar intake. DS was at DC and lots of his peers had chosen it over Alleyns when getting both offers.

I think Alleyns does better because it's mixed?

Don't think the Oakfield kids are getting priority or automatic moves into the senior school, so shouldn't be any harder than normal to get in - possibly easier as the birth rate falls?

Yeah the marketing for Oakfield has been clear that - unlike the junior bit of Alleynes proper - it’s not an automatic transfer. I guess that might change in the future if they can up the standards for 4+ there.

I agree that boys will tend to choose DC over Alleyn's, if offered both, my observation anyway. I think girls are 50%50% Alleys versus JAGS given the option.