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Secondary education

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Original poster

Alleyns 11+ for Sept 2023 entry

66 replies

se21mum · 07/01/2023 14:48

Hi, my DC sat the Alleyns 11+ yesterday and seemed to think it went 'okay'. How did others find it? They really liked the snack during the refreshment break. :) There were A LOT of children there. Does anyone know how many applied this year?

OP posts:
grumpycamel · 07/01/2023 16:49

According to DS, a teacher said 900😓

Original poster
se21mum · 07/01/2023 16:58

Oh dear, I was afraid of that and now we have to wait until Jan 17th to hear if they make it to the interview stage ... I wonder how many they will interview this year?

OP posts:
grumpycamel · 07/01/2023 17:47

From previous threads, I gather they interview approximately 250

minitino · 17/01/2023 09:34

Good luck today. Any idea when they will email results?

89fomveg · 17/01/2023 11:31

We received an interview invite at 10:30am this morning. DC will be thrilled! Good luck to everyone! Fingers crossed for good news…

minitino · 17/01/2023 11:35

Congrats! Us too. Got ours at 10.46am so it seems they are sending in tranches.

WNLastX · 17/01/2023 11:44

Nothing for us yet, not holding out much hope for the co-eds.

Lingar · 17/01/2023 14:21

Hardest one we did, it looks like many applications this year...

WNLastX · 17/01/2023 15:06

As I expected it was a no. Time to focus on those that said yes. Congrats to those who got interviews.

As above, he felt it was the hardest yet, especially the VR.

Slightly worried that it might suggest his existing interview invites were borderline as they are from schools on a similar academic level.

89fomveg · 21/01/2023 16:25

Hi, I just wondered if anyone had asked members of staff how many children were being interviewed today? There were even more than I expected …

minitino · 21/01/2023 19:28

Yes seemed like a lot! I’m guessing they go for double the intake, but pure guess!

minitino · 21/01/2023 19:31

Also wondering if they already have a proposed list based on exams and the interview is a validation of that list or whether it received equal weighting’s to exams. Does anyone know?

sailingsunshine · 21/01/2023 20:27

As said on other thread the importance of the interview varies between schools but it is used to weed out candidates who appear difficult to teach - ie arrogant or rude. I don't think it would be given equal weighting by any school. It's more likely to be another column to tick on a spreadsheet etc of all the results.

89fomveg · 22/01/2023 09:45

Yes, I would also love to know how they weight all the different parts of the assessment process and whether if someone is offered a Drama or Sports scholarship it might help them to get a place.

sailingsunshine · 22/01/2023 09:50

@89fomveg , generally no, the sports and drama dept put through the names they want but they won't make the cut if they aren't at the right academic level. What I have seen as a parent is that the less academic but very sporty - ie club level + - arrive at the school via the WL or a one off admission point, ie a year later etc.

sailingsunshine · 22/01/2023 09:51

Sorry post above is in general not for Alleyns specifically.

89fomveg · 22/01/2023 13:49

I suppose that I just wondered if the Drama Dept put your name down on a list of someone they would like to give a scholarship to (or shortlist you after the initial screening) whether the school might choose to offer you a place over a child who was not shortlisted for a scholarship if both children did equally well on the academic assessment? Especially at a school like Alleyns that seems to have a strong Art and Drama Dept and seems to really value well rounded children... I wonder how on Earth they choose just 90 from so many talented children! Fingers crossed for everyone hoping for an offer.

ChnandlerBong · 23/01/2023 11:02

Alleyns always say that once the kids have got through to interview that it is all on that - ie that the playing field is level.

My DS had a spectacularly bad Alleyns interview - managed to completely forget that he was in the choir/played football/was an interesting person and just mumbled something about airfix 😂 - so the waiting list result was no surprise.

DD on the other hand went in smiling and talked about netball/choir/flute. So her offer was no great surprise.

Not sure that Alleyns value well roundedness more than any other school. As ever confidence and a willingness to try is really key. Best of luck to all your dc.

AnotherNewt · 23/01/2023 11:08

Alleyns always seems to be a bit of a toss up about who gets in. I've seen DC who get eg Westminster and St Pauls offers get waitlist or nothing from Alleyns

If you get an interview, then IIRC, it means they're happy with the academic level, and are then choosing the DC they want in the classroom. So yes, those who bring something like good sport/drama/music may well rank more highly after interview than one on similar test scores who doesn't. Also, they're going for 50/50 boys/girls, so the numbers can work for/against you for that reason too

89fomveg · 23/01/2023 17:30

It doesn’t sound like a very fair way of choosing if so much rests on a 15 minute interview with one member of staff as some staff will be better at engaging children than others and the interviewers bring their own personalities and styles to the interview. I think my DC would have liked being asked about himself (as he did during the Emanuel interview) and what he does in his free time but had very random off the wall questions instead. At least the group activity allows children to be themselves in a group, which is a bit more natural for them.

ChnandlerBong · 24/01/2023 09:18

@89fomveg I think the off the wall questions just give you an indication of the culture of the school. Alleyns definitely try and veer away from the stuffy/conventional - or at least give the appearance that they do. The questions dd had just made her laugh and lightened the mood.

It's not all on 15 minutes though is it? The group activity was at least an hour when dd did it?

Citygal23 · 07/02/2023 14:50

Hi there- did you already get your offers for 2023? We were told they’ll be in touch before half term and heard nothing since the interview….

ChnandlerBong · 07/02/2023 14:52

offers usually come out the Friday before half term?

89fomveg · 07/02/2023 15:41

Alleyns have said they will let people know on this Friday, 10 Feb 🤞🏻

MummyRules1 · 07/02/2023 15:56

Please can I ask where that information came from? The last communication I had from them said I would hear 'Just before half term' but they didn't give a specific date. Do you know if we hear by post or email?