Becoming all we can be – Alleyns

Alleyn’s pupils follow the school philosophy in aspiring to be ‘All We Can Be’ across all aspects of school life, leaving ready to be engaged citizens of the future world.

With the school’s philosophy at the heart of all they do, Alleyn’s is proud of its well-rounded and forward-thinking young people. In this ambitious and progressive co-educational school born from 400 years of history, the air is abuzz with a sense of excitement, enterprise, and possibility.

The core school values, known as the Alleyn’s ROCCK – Respect, Opportunity, Curiosity, Courage, and Kindness – are central to life at school, guiding staff and pupils, and giving them power and purpose.

Academically impressive, Alleyn’s provides a holistic education that prepares pupils for success in the modern world, understanding that excellent exam results are just one part of the puzzle. Beyond the classroom, the extensive co-curricular offering gives pupils the space to nurture and pursue their passions. With 60 weekly sports clubs and more than 180 exciting and diverse co-curricular options from water polo and gymnastics to philosophy and rocketeering – there is something for everyone. The Alleyn’s House system also sees lots of exciting interhouse events throughout the year. From ballroom dancing and Lip Sync to Battle of the Bands and Sports Day – a fun sense of competition runs throughout the school.

The school’s founder Edward Alleyn was a famous Shakespearean actor of his time, with a passion for performing arts. It forms a huge part of life at Alleyn’s, from the student-devised pieces in the “Bear Pit”, to regular Edinburgh Festival tours, to musicals and the three major productions every year, most recently Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’ and Roald Dahl’s ‘The Witches’ and ‘Matilda’.

Extensive partnership, enrichment and outreach programmes ensure pupils are well engaged with the community beyond the school. Alleyn’s was founded in 1619 as a charitable foundation giving the gift of education to those who could not otherwise access it in Jacobean London. This ethos remains today with the Alleyn’s Academy – a student-led, staff-supported programme of after school activities for local school children to expand their skills in sport, music, maths, and the digital world.

Mental, spiritual, and physical wellbeing is also integral to life at Alleyn’s. The school recently completed The Well, a holistic wellness centre in the grounds featuring a garden-based meditation space and expert provision to give pupils the support they need. Parenting and pastoral care go hand in hand, so there is investment in parents as well as pupils, with expert-led evenings on topics such as online safety and self-esteem.

Head, Jane Lunnon is honoured to be paving the way in educating the next generation of movers and shakers. “We can’t even begin to imagine the whirlwind of opportunities and challenges that this generation will be thrown into over the course of their lifetimes. At Alleyn’s, we equip our young people to be all they can be – kind, happy, inspired and – having found ‘their thing’ – in the best possible position to take on the world and make a positive difference, whatever form that might take.”