Alleyn's School review by University of Oxford student.
The school tries to develop well-rounded individuals; the first three years of tuition include compulsory foreign languages - french/german/spanish as well as Information Technology, Design Technology and Religious Studies, in addition to the core academic subjects: english, maths and the sciences. Physical Education and Games are undertaken (two periods each per week) up until VIth form when they are optional. The later stages of the school follow the English core syllabus of GCSEs and A-Levels, qualifications vital in getting into a decent university. At GCSEs all pupils have to take english language, english literature, maths and either double or triple science. In addition, they have to take one foreign language and one humanities subject, leaving three free slots for subjects of their choice. At A-levels, pupils are free to choose, although choices can be circumscribed by results in that subject at GCSE. Choices are very broad and include more esoteric subjects such as drama, philosophy and law. All pupils are expected to take A-level General Studies, for which two periods are set aside each week, as the school expects that students of its calibre should easily gain an A - the highest grade - without much teaching. Class sizes diminish as you go further up the school and specialise. In terms of academic teaching; the physics, maths, biology and politics departments are good, whilst the classics and history departments are excellent. Foreign languages and geography are slightly disappointing but the school has invested heavily in them. School academic facilities are excellent including a well-stocked library, language lab and many classrooms feature projectors and touch screens.
I received very little help in my Oxford application. However, all pupils that were applying.... Get the real inside story on college counseling at Alleyn's School as experienced by former pupil and University of Oxford student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
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They have contacts at most of the major universities and feel perfectly comfortable picking up the phone and advocating for a student to get accepted somewhere they feel is a good fit for that student. However, these counselors are certainly not magic bullets. They cannot guarantee that a student will get into an Ivy League university...
For those wishing to move on to Oxford or Cambridge, the provision is second-to-none. In the months running up to application and interview, every subject faculty offers classes (often run by former Oxbridge tutors) exploring further areas of their subject as well as offering advice on personal statements, interview technique and more...
Alleyn's School has two main intakes, the first of around 130 pupils is at age.... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to Alleyn's School by former pupil and University of Oxford student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
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For the interview, dress conservatively. Try to be very clean and put together. Also, I was a tour guide for two years and at the end of every tour, we were asked to evaluate the candidate so if you think the tour is not apart of the process, you are very wrong. Ask questions and be interested. Also, tip for the parents: the kids speak on the tour. Do not ask their questions for them...
Most younger siblings have an easy time in the admissions process. I can only think of one case of a younger sibling not being admitted. About half of the students who entered with me had come from public schools. The remainder came from private K-6 schools, or had transferred from other New York private schools The Elizabeth Morrow School and St. Bernard were two of the larger feeder schools...
The neighbourhood is very middle class and safe, many of the people who live in the streets to the front of the school are teachers or have children at one of the three public schools in Dulwich - Dulwich College, Alleyn's or JAGS. The dining hall provides food of a good standard and is reasonably priced. The school is non-boarding. The facilities are of a decent standard and include a swimming pool (lessons are compulsory for all pupils), gym, an astroturf all-weather pitch for hockey and tennis. The school is currently undergoing a 10 year renovation project whose centrepiece is a.... Get the real inside story on quality of school life and extracurricular offerings at Alleyn's School as experienced by former pupil and University of Oxford student — Login or Sign Up to access full review