South London — and Dulwich in particular — contains one of the richest concentrations of independent schools anywhere in the UK. Families in Dulwich, Herne Hill, Clapham, Wandsworth and Streatham are navigating a complex and competitive exam landscape, often targeting multiple schools with different papers, different formats and different selection criteria. This guide covers everything you need to know about 11+ preparation in South London, including which schools are most commonly targeted, what their exams actually involve, and how to find the right tutor.
The South London independent school landscape
The Dulwich estate alone hosts three major independent schools within walking distance of each other — a concentration that is almost unique in the country. Add the surrounding area and families have a genuinely exceptional range of options:
- Dulwich College — one of London's great independent schools, with a broad and characterful education alongside strong academic standards. Entry at 11+ is competitive: Dulwich sets its own papers in English and Maths and interviews shortlisted candidates. It is not the most academically pressured of the Dulwich schools, but the standard is high.
- James Allen's Girls' School (JAGS) — consistently ranked as one of London's leading girls' schools, JAGS sets a demanding 11+ in English and Maths. Comprehension and extended writing are areas where the JAGS paper is known to be particularly stretching. Candidates are also interviewed.
- Alleyn's School — co-educational and with a strong creative and performing arts culture alongside serious academic credentials. Alleyn's 11+ tests English and Maths with a more accessible feel than JAGS, but don't be misled: the school is still highly selective and the interview process carries real weight.
- Streatham and Clapham High School (SCHs) — a GDST school that offers strong academic outcomes in a less pressured environment than the Dulwich schools. A popular choice for families who want a genuinely good education without the extremes of exam preparation required for JAGS or Dulwich College.
- Dulwich Prep London — a leading prep school on the Dulwich estate. Many children at Dulwich Prep go on to senior schools at 11+ or 13+, and the prep's strong academic environment means that external tutoring is sometimes used supplementally rather than as primary preparation.
- Sydenham High School — another GDST school, slightly further east, offering strong results in a nurturing environment. Less well-known than SCHs but worth considering for families in SE26 and SE23.
How the exams differ between schools
One of the most important things to understand about South London's independent school 11+ is that there is no common exam. Dulwich College, JAGS and Alleyn's each set their own papers independently, and the style and difficulty vary significantly.
The JAGS English paper is widely regarded as the most demanding of the three in terms of depth of comprehension required and the standard expected in written responses. The Dulwich College Maths paper is more focused on numerical reasoning and problem-solving than on extended written work. Alleyn's papers tend to be slightly more straightforward in style, though the interview process is given particular weight in their selection.
This means that preparation has to be tailored. A tutor working towards JAGS and Dulwich College simultaneously needs to prepare a child for two meaningfully different reading and writing challenges — not just one generic "11+" paper.
The interview process
All three main Dulwich schools interview shortlisted candidates. The interview is not a formality — it is a genuine part of the selection process. Schools are looking for intellectual curiosity, the ability to discuss ideas under gentle pressure, and a sense of who the child is beyond their exam performance.
Tutors who have supported children through to the interview stage at these schools offer significant value. Preparation for an interview at Dulwich College or JAGS goes beyond subject knowledge: it involves discussion of current affairs, books read recently, and the ability to think aloud and engage with unfamiliar questions. Children who have practised this in a relaxed setting with a tutor tend to perform noticeably better.
When to start 11+ preparation for South London schools
Registration deadlines for Dulwich College, JAGS and Alleyn's typically fall in October or November of Year 5. The exams themselves are held in January of Year 6. Most families in this area begin targeted preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5.
Starting in Year 4 allows preparation to be paced and genuinely educational rather than intensive and stressful. The focus in Year 4 should be on building strong reading habits, mathematical fluency and early exposure to reasoning-type problems. Formal past paper practice is better introduced in Year 5 when the child is closer to the material.
Children who begin serious preparation in September of Year 5 can absolutely still achieve strong results, particularly at Alleyn's or SCHs. But for JAGS — which is among the most demanding girls' school 11+ exams in London — earlier preparation tends to show in the quality of written work.
What to look for in a South London 11+ tutor
The qualities that matter most for the Dulwich schools specifically:
- Knowledge of the individual school papers — a tutor who has worked with children sitting JAGS, Dulwich College and Alleyn's will have seen the real papers and will know what each school values. This is far more useful than general 11+ experience.
- Strong English teaching — given the weight placed on comprehension and writing at all three main Dulwich schools, English is usually the most important subject to focus on. Look for a tutor who can genuinely develop a child's analytical reading and creative expression, not just drill comprehension exercises.
- Interview preparation experience — find out whether a tutor has worked with children through to the interview stage and whether they incorporate interview practice into their preparation.
- Realistic target-setting — JAGS in particular attracts extremely strong candidates. A good tutor will be honest with you from an early stage about your child's trajectory and whether a given school is a realistic stretch or an unlikely reach.
Grammar schools in South London
South London also has selective state grammar options that some families target alongside or instead of the independent schools. The London Oratory School, Graveney School and Wilson's School (Sutton) are among the selective or partially selective state schools in the broader area.
Graveney runs its own entrance assessment, which focuses on English and Maths at a level somewhat easier than the independent school papers. Families targeting both Graveney and a school like Alleyn's will find that preparation overlaps well, though the writing tasks at Alleyn's are more demanding.
Getting started
South London's 11+ landscape is genuinely manageable with good preparation and the right tutor. The key is starting early enough to build skills rather than simply drilling, choosing a tutor who knows the specific schools you are targeting, and keeping a realistic view of which schools are the right fit for your child.
Browse tutors in this area on our South London tutors page, or run a personalised search on the parent portal to see tutors matched to your specific exam type, subjects and location.