Alleyn's School
Alleyns School
Org 1: HMC
Townley Road, Dulwich, London, SE22 8SU
Telephone: 020 8557 1500
Motto: All We Can Be
Age Range: Pre-Prep/Infants, Prep/Junior to 11, Senior to 18
Day or Boarding: Day, Day Only
Gender: Co-ed
Exams offered: A Level, GCSE
Scholarships Tick: Academic, Art, Dance, Drama, DT, Music, Sport
Bursaries and discounts: New entrant bursary
Scholarships and bursaries – further details
Academic Scholarships: At 11+ and 16+ (up to £5,000 per annum)
Music Scholarships: At 11+ (up to £5,000 per annum + free tuition on principal instrument), and Music Exhibitions (free tuition on one instrument) are available at 11+.
Art and DT Scholarships: At 11+ (up to £2,000 per annum respectively) and Art and DT Exhibitions (£100 per annum respectively)
DT Scholarships: At 11+ (up to £2,000 per annum)
Drama Scholarships: At 11+ (up to £5,000 per annum) + free tuition on principal instrument), and Drama Exhibitions (£250 per annum)
Dance Scholarships: At 11+ (up to £5,000 per annum) + free tuition on principal instrument), and Drama Exhibitions (£250 per annum)
Performing Arts Scholarships: at 16+ (up to £5,000 per annum)
Sports Scholarships: At 11+ (up to £5,000 per annum), and Sports Exhibitions (£250 per annum)
Bursaries. Means-tested bursary places (up to 100% of the School fees) are available at 11+ and 16+ for academically able candidates whose families might not otherwise be able to afford the fees. In addition, the W. J. Smith Trust offers means-tested bursary assistance (up to 100% of the School fees) to candidates who demonstrate exceptional music promise at the music scholarship audition.
Contact information:
Ms Louise Mawer, Registrar, Alleyn’s School, Townley Road, London SE22 8SU; Email: registrar@alleyns.org.uk; Tel: 020 8557 1478.
For 16+ entry: Mrs Paula Silcock, 16+ Registrar, Alleyn’s School, Townley Road, London SE22 8SU; Email: sixthformregistrar@alleyns.org.uk; Tel: 020 8613 5026.
Set in the heart of South London and dating back to 1619, Alleyn’s School takes pride in its commitment to providing an excellent education that prepares pupils for the challenges of a rapidly changing world, while at the same time preserving a love of learning for learning’s sake. With a keen eye on the future, Alleyn's ambition is to instil a sense of entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and community within each child, mirroring the values embodied by its founder, famous Shakespearean actor of the Elizabethan age, Edward Alleyn.
This year Alleyn’s celebrates 50 years of co-education and was named Co-educational School of the Year by the Independent School of the Year Awards 2025. Jane Lunnon was also shortlisted for Headteacher of the Year (Independent) at the Tes Schools Awards 2026.
As one of the country’s leading co-educational independent schools with a history of outstanding academic achievement and co-curricular success on the stage, pitch, page and screen, the school recognises that wonderful results are a by-product of an outstanding values-driven education. At the core of an Alleyn's education are shared values of Respect, Opportunity, Courage, Curiosity, and Kindness. These principles, which are embedded across the school and serve as a place from which staff and pupils can draw power and purpose, shape the character of every Alleyn's pupil, empowering them with the confidence and skills to be 'All They Can Be.' Alleyn’s pupils are encouraged to ‘find their thing’ whether through sport, the arts, student leadership or debate. The school offers a wide range of co-curricular activities to complement the academic curriculum and provide pupils with experiences and opportunities beyond the formal classroom, which include extensive Duke of Edinburgh, CCF and outreach programmes.
Admissions. We welcome applications from boys and girls from all backgrounds with bursaries as well as academic and specialist subject scholarships available. We look for candidates who will respond to the school’s care, opportunities and values, and who will, in return, contribute to the school with their talents and enthusiasm. Regular admission to our junior schools; Alleyn's Junior School and Alleyn’s Oakfield occur at 4+, 7+ and 9+. The main entry points to the Senior School are 11+ and 16+.
Curriculum. We aim to nurture holistic excellence for all, developing curiosity, reflection, determination, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. All pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum; pupils are invited to discover and develop their interests, knowledge, and skills within a safe and supportive environment. As pupils advance through their educational journey, they are progressively given more opportunities to make choices from a diverse array of subjects. Most of our pupils go on to top UK universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. However, each year several pupils also successfully gain places on prestigious music and drama courses, Foundation Art programmes or choose to study overseas at institutions such as Harvard, Yale, and McGill. Every pupil is encouraged to apply for the path that best suits them.
Careers. A dynamic and evolving careers programme focuses on pupils’ career curiosity and career exploration throughout their time at school. Co-created with pupils, parents and staff and led by a qualified careers guidance professional, this includes work experience, guidance interviews and aptitude tests, interaction with employers, employability programmes, exploration of how careers link to the academic curriculum and a programme of careers lessons and talks, culminating in an annual Festival of Inspiration and Enterprise, which features an interesting mix of hands-on interactive workshop style sessions and industry/career stalls.
Facilities. The school enjoys first-class facilities within its 28-acre campus, including a professional theatre, the Edward Alleyn Playhouse, and sporting facilities such as a swimming pool with Olympic timing system, Astroturf and MUGA, as well as a dedicated digital learning space, All Studios, all of which are made available to local schools and community groups throughout the year. A School Council and Learning Council, with members from each section of the school, represent pupils’ views to the Head. Other pupils’ committees discuss life at School, including the Gender Equality Champions, the Multicultural Students Union and the Sustainability Committee.
Alumni community. All former pupils, parents and staff are warmly encouraged to remain part of the Alleyn’s community. The school has a strong and thriving alumni community that remains engaged and connected with both each other and the school. Alumni receive regular communications and publications and attend a wide range of events and reunions throughout the year.
Charitable status. Alleyn’s School is a Registered Charity, number 1161864, and a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England and Wales, number 09401357. Registered office: Townley Road, SE22 8SU.
Fees per term (2026-2027). Senior School £9,025, Junior School £8,055. Fees exclude VAT.
Bursaries. The Senior School offers means-tested bursaries to children who might flourish here, but whose financial circumstances may not allow them to meet the full school fees.
Scholarships. Scholarships (which can be worth up to a maximum of £5,000 per year and are not means-tested) may also be awarded in conjunction with bursaries.
Governors & Staff:
Chair of Governors: Mr Chris Stylianou, OBE
Head: Mrs Jane Lunnon, BA
Senior Deputy Head: Mr Sam Madden, BA, MSc
Deputy Head (Academic): Dr Tom Durno, PhD Cantab, PGCE
Deputy Head (Strategy and Community): Mrs Alex Swann MChem
Deputy Head (Pastoral): Ms Jessica Lewis, BA
Head of Alleyn's Junior School: Mr Simon Severino, MA Oxon
Head of Alleyn’s Oakfield: Mr Pete Whitmell, BA
Assistant Heads:
Safeguarding and DSL: Mrs Mel A Joel, BA
Head of Upper School: Ms Alex C Smith, MA Cantab
Director of Middle School: Mr Lewis Geldeard, MA Cantab
Head of Lower School: Mrs Helen E Lawrence, BA
Co-curricular & Partnerships: Mr Neil JW Green, BEd
Teaching & Learning: Mrs Claire L Heindl, BA
Director of Studies: Mr Henry Sleath, BSc
Chief Operating Officer: Mr Guy Collins-Down, BSc
Chief Finance Officer: Mrs Claire M Morgan, BSc, FCA
Executive Director of Innovation and Futures: Ms Victoria Wade, BA
Director of Development & Alumni Relations: Mr Frank E Keenan, BA, MBA
Director of External Relations: Ms Isabella Sharp, MA Cantab, MSc
SLT Secondee: Mrs Nicola Frost, BSc
Registrar: Ms Louise Mawer, LLB