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Original poster

Alleyn’s interview questions and group activity

74 replies

Surfer1978 · 20/01/2026 11:22

We’ve just heard our son has got an interview at Alleyns this Saturday following the recent 11+

Was wondering if anyone has any intel on the types of questions and group activities from previous years’ interviews?

OP posts:
todayortomorrow · 27/01/2026 18:07

Csummer · 27/01/2026 17:37

congrats to those who got the scholarship invitation! Gratefully we as well, but it indeed conflicted with DS’s another interview.. any advice whether it’s okay to ask the other school to reschedule the interview with such short notice, and be just honest about the situation? don’t want to offend either school.

Show quote history

I don't think Alleyns will move as it sounds like it's a big group exercise. So if you prefer it to the other school, you've got nothing to lose with asking! I also think you can probably ask that on the phone without giving your details so nothing to lose.

Sounds like a lot of kids through to the academic scholarship! My research suggests up to 60 in the past

todayortomorrow · 29/01/2026 17:26

How did your kids find today? My son really enjoyed it and said the kids there were nice and smart. We also got the impression that an offer is pretty much guaranteed if you get to the academic scholarship stage - fingers crossed!

ThatNoisyZebra · 29/01/2026 20:05

My son also enjoyed it and I was impressed with the whole experience. We didn't speak to any teachers though, what gave you the impression on the likelihood of an offer?

todayortomorrow · 02/02/2026 10:15

ThatNoisyZebra · 29/01/2026 20:05

My son also enjoyed it and I was impressed with the whole experience. We didn't speak to any teachers though, what gave you the impression on the likelihood of an offer?

My risk averse husband spoke to a teacher there and came away with the view that it was very unusual to not get an offer if you were in the 64 at the academic scholarship interview. Which makes sense if they are making >120 offers. Not long to wait now anyway! Is Alleyns your top choice?

ThatNoisyZebra · 02/02/2026 10:47

I'm think Kings and Latymer are our top choices but we are also very happy if he goes to Alleyn's. These are all great schools and I feel DS would do well at any.

It seemed like less than 64 kids at the scholarship session last week unless there were two blocks, it felt more like 30ish kids.

todayortomorrow · 02/02/2026 10:54

ThatNoisyZebra · 02/02/2026 10:47

I'm think Kings and Latymer are our top choices but we are also very happy if he goes to Alleyn's. These are all great schools and I feel DS would do well at any.

It seemed like less than 64 kids at the scholarship session last week unless there were two blocks, it felt more like 30ish kids.

There were two groups of 32 I think. Yes, great options!

ThatNoisyZebra · 02/02/2026 12:33

Do you have a view on DC vs Alleyn's?

MellowJadeFox · 02/02/2026 14:03

My DS had gone for the afternoon session of this scholarship workshop. Didn't realise there was another session? That is a lot of kids being called back for a handful of scholarships.

I am also curious on any parent that has had to chose between DC and Alleyn's as well. Keeping aside the fact that one is all boys while other is co-ed wondering if anyone else has views on the choice esp in terms of academics. The new head of DC was very convincing on answering questions about why they are relatively lower in league tables but wondering if any parent can give any more information.
Thank you

ThatNoisyZebra · 02/02/2026 14:24

I have friends with kids at DC and they rave about the school and that the adademics are only heading upwards. My DS likes rugby so he has a slight preference but would love other insights.

I'm also wondering when the other scholarship session was as it didn't sound like there was a second group based on their presentations.

MellowJadeFox · 02/02/2026 15:21

ThatNoisyZebra · 02/02/2026 14:24

I have friends with kids at DC and they rave about the school and that the adademics are only heading upwards. My DS likes rugby so he has a slight preference but would love other insights.

I'm also wondering when the other scholarship session was as it didn't sound like there was a second group based on their presentations.

thank you for your view on DC. Its quite interesting. With the new headmaster I feel the same way but good to hear from existing parents at school. Quite often parents start grumbling when things don't improve (I am guilty of it !) so its good to hear from current parents.

As far as Alleyn's scholarship session is concerned that's what I felt on the day that the afternoon session was the only one. Though no one explicitly asked.

idriveaVauxhallZafira · 02/02/2026 15:28

I think there was only one scholarship session last week on Thursday afternoon. In any event there would be Junior School students there too so I don't imagine that's 62 of the however many offers for external candidates gone. Just depends how many of those were Junior School kids I expect.

ThatNoisyZebra · 02/02/2026 15:31

There were about 5-10 junior school kids from what I could see.

MellowJadeFox · 02/02/2026 15:50

yes I thought the number of junior school kids was around 5-10 as well.

fishface1979 · 02/02/2026 18:32

ThatNoisyZebra · 02/02/2026 14:24

I have friends with kids at DC and they rave about the school and that the adademics are only heading upwards. My DS likes rugby so he has a slight preference but would love other insights.

I'm also wondering when the other scholarship session was as it didn't sound like there was a second group based on their presentations.

I can only say positive things about DC. They keep the classes relatively small - also in relation to nearby Jags and Alleyns - and the boys feel known despite the size of the school. Given that the school doesn't seem to be quite so difficult to get into, I think their results are impressive. The boys are really pushed but not in a hot house way. They have a culture of continuous self-improvement - they are not smug, rest on their laurels types. My son has loved his time there. It's not the type of place it is sometimes assumed to be, being all boys and so well known. I think the teachers also have to work that bit harder when it's all boys too!

MellowJadeFox · 02/02/2026 21:37

fishface1979 · 02/02/2026 18:32

I can only say positive things about DC. They keep the classes relatively small - also in relation to nearby Jags and Alleyns - and the boys feel known despite the size of the school. Given that the school doesn't seem to be quite so difficult to get into, I think their results are impressive. The boys are really pushed but not in a hot house way. They have a culture of continuous self-improvement - they are not smug, rest on their laurels types. My son has loved his time there. It's not the type of place it is sometimes assumed to be, being all boys and so well known. I think the teachers also have to work that bit harder when it's all boys too!

Show quote history

Appreciate your feedback on DC and really happy that your DS has loved it there.

todayortomorrow · 03/02/2026 09:05

I hope you are all right about it being 30 not 60! Both the other kids I know who did the academic scholarship assessment don't have Alleyns as their first choice and are likely to get their first choice schools so I wonder how Alleyns factor that in. I'd read on here that they give around 20 academic scholarships but they range in value from £5000 to nothing.

ThatNoisyZebra · 03/02/2026 09:45

I'm guessing they have a waitlist for the scholarships vs. over offer them but who knows

Onemorebubble · 03/02/2026 10:40

My DC was invited back to Alleyn's for academic scholarship last year and did receive an offer.
DC chose Alleyn's over Dulwich(even though he loves rugby) and could not be more happier with the school. It really is a brilliant school and so much to offer.
You will know after you attend offer day which one is right for them.
Good luck with your decisions!

todayortomorrow · 03/02/2026 10:45

Onemorebubble · 03/02/2026 10:40

My DC was invited back to Alleyn's for academic scholarship last year and did receive an offer.
DC chose Alleyn's over Dulwich(even though he loves rugby) and could not be more happier with the school. It really is a brilliant school and so much to offer.
You will know after you attend offer day which one is right for them.
Good luck with your decisions!

Edited

This is great to hear! I also love Alleyns and am hoping for an offer. Do the parents get to go to the offer days?

Onemorebubble · 03/02/2026 11:01

@todayortomorrow yes parents go too. They place the kids in groups and then they go do an activity/lesson in the morning. My DC did a food and nutrition class and cooked something which he really enjoyed. The parents stay while kids are off on their activity and ask questions to the teachers and head. You get a good heads up what the cohort will be like on the day. That was the signing deal for me.
Dulwich we had a small tour around the school and could ask questions we had. Can also see what the cohort will be like but much smaller groups of 5 at a time.

todayortomorrow · 03/02/2026 11:05

Onemorebubble · 03/02/2026 11:01

@todayortomorrow yes parents go too. They place the kids in groups and then they go do an activity/lesson in the morning. My DC did a food and nutrition class and cooked something which he really enjoyed. The parents stay while kids are off on their activity and ask questions to the teachers and head. You get a good heads up what the cohort will be like on the day. That was the signing deal for me.
Dulwich we had a small tour around the school and could ask questions we had. Can also see what the cohort will be like but much smaller groups of 5 at a time.

Sounds perfect! What are the Alleyns parents/families like? We're coming from state and are a bit nervous about the wealth levels/reputation!

Onemorebubble · 03/02/2026 11:41

@todayortomorrow I would definitely not worry about that! There is a whole mix of families from different backgrounds, that come from private primary and state primary. Lots of kids are on bursaries as well, and not all super wealthy. Main thing is they all are similar minded kids and my DC has loved it so far . The families we have met so far are all been social and friendly. The weekend sporting activities also helps to get to know the families as you will be supporting your kids on the side-lines

todayortomorrow · 04/02/2026 13:40

Onemorebubble · 03/02/2026 11:41

@todayortomorrow I would definitely not worry about that! There is a whole mix of families from different backgrounds, that come from private primary and state primary. Lots of kids are on bursaries as well, and not all super wealthy. Main thing is they all are similar minded kids and my DC has loved it so far . The families we have met so far are all been social and friendly. The weekend sporting activities also helps to get to know the families as you will be supporting your kids on the side-lines

That's great to hear - thanks for the reassurance! Now just the wait until next Friday...

idriveaVauxhallZafira · 06/02/2026 10:05

The wait is brutal. Anyone have any predictions re timing of emails next Friday? When I picked up from interview (just the round 2 interview - we weren't invited to academic) one of the staff made a point of saying ignore timing as they send them out in batches. I didn't ask the question - she just volunteered the information.

With the other schools they all seemed to come through within minutes if we had the same invite as another friend.

minipie · 06/02/2026 11:34

Just checked and with my older child our email was c midday.