Chesham Grammar School 11 plus: 2024 entry guide

About Chesham Grammar School

Chesham Grammar School is a selective state school in Buckinghamshire for boys and girls aged 11–18. The school has a reputation for excellence, with consistently outstanding academic results, and is currently ranked well within the top 100 state secondary schools in England.

Pupils at Chesham Grammar School study a broad, challenging and ambitious curriculum from Key Stage 3, helping them develop a strong foundation of skills and knowledge for higher levels. Alongside traditional subjects, pupils have lessons in engineering, food technology, textiles, computer science, and a range of creative arts. Older students are well-supported in their career planning with dedicated career lessons on the curriculum, and the school has been recognised for its provision with an Investor in Careers Quality Award.

Chesham Grammar School produces confident, articulate and compassionate students who are well-equipped for life in the 21st century. Almost all students progress to their first-choice university, with places at Oxford and Cambridge every year.

• Address: Chesham Grammar School, White Hill, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 1BA

• Local authority: Buckinghamshire Council

• School type: mixed grammar

• Headteacher: Annmarie McNaney

• Number of pupils: 1,300+

• National rank (Sunday Times Parent Power): 63

• A level results: 81.5% A*–B

• GCSE results: 81.2% 9/8/7

Key info for Year 7 admissions

• Admissions contact: [email protected], 01494 782854

• Number of places in Year 7: 180

• Open evening: TBC

• Exam registration opens (out-of-county applications): 5th May 2023

• Exam registration closes (out-of-county applications): 16th June 2023

• Exam date: 14th September 2023

• Exam type: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test

• Common application form (CAF) deadline: 31st October 2023

• National school offer day: 1st March 2024

How to apply to Chesham Grammar School

1. Secondary Transfer Test registration

Chesham Grammar School is a member of The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS). This consortium administers the 11 plus exam (Secondary Transfer Test) for all 13 grammar schools in the county.

Buckinghamshire’s 11 plus registration process is unique as they operate an ‘opt-out’ system. If your child attends a Buckinghamshire primary school, they will automatically be registered to take the test.

If your child's primary school is not in Buckinghamshire and you would like to apply for a place at Chesham Grammar School, you will need to register for the Secondary Transfer Test separately. Registration will be open on the Buckinghamshire Council website between 5th May 2023 and 16th June 2023.

2. Apply for a school place

You will receive your child's results in the Secondary Transfer Test on 13th October 2023. If your child has achieved the pass mark in the exam, they will be eligible for a place at the school. You will then be able to name Chesham Grammar School on your common application form.

Before listing Chesham Grammar School as a preference on your form, check its admissions policy and make sure your child is eligible. Passing the Secondary Transfer Test will not be a guarantee of a place as more children reach the qualifying standard each year than there are places available.

The application form must be submitted to your home local council by 31st October 2023. The form must be completed for your home local authority – i.e. if you live in Buckinghamshire you will need to complete the form on the Buckinghamshire Council website. If you live in a different local authority, make sure to apply through the relevant website for that council.

What is the pass mark for Chesham Grammar School?

Your child's test papers in the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test will be marked and weighted. The English and verbal reasoning test will have a weighting of 50% applied, while the non-verbal reasoning and maths sections will be weighted at 25% each. The total of all scores will then be age-standardised to avoid any potential disadvantage for younger children. This overall mark will be your child's Secondary Transfer Test Score (STTS).

The qualifying score in the Secondary Transfer Test is 121. If your child achieves a score of 121 or higher, they will be eligible for entry to Chesham Grammar School.

Unlike other grammar schools in the country, children in Buckinghamshire are not ranked in order of their scores. Grammar school entry is entirely dependent on whether or not the child has scored 121, and whether they meet the individual school's admission criteria. We've included the admission criteria for Chesham Grammar below.

Chesham Grammar School admission criteria

There are 180 places available in Year 7 at Chesham Grammar School. Children who achieve the qualifying score and who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which names the school will be allocated places before the admission criteria is applied.

If the number of eligible children then exceeds the number of places available, the school will apply oversubscription criteria in order:

1. Looked after and previously looked after children

2. Children who live in the catchment area and qualify for free school meals

3. Siblings of children currently at Chesham Grammar School

4. Children of staff employed by Chesham Grammar School for at least two years

5. All other children living in the catchment area

6. Children who have exceptional social or medical needs that can only be met by the school

7. All other children, prioritised by closeness to the school

Chesham Grammar School catchment area

Chesham Grammar School operates a catchment area to prioritise eligible children living close to the school. This includes the areas of Amersham, Chesham, Prestwood, Great Missenden, Asheridge, Lye Green, Little Chalfont, Chalfont St Giles, Chalfont Common, Chalfont St Peter and Gerrards Cross.

A map is available on the school website.

Personalised 11 plus prep for your child

Wondering how to make sure your child covers the depth and breadth of the entire 11 plus curriculum, stays on track with their progress, and gets help when they're stuck? Online learning is a particularly efficient, cost-effective (and fun) way to do this!

Atom Nucleus is the award-winning online 11 plus practice platform that gives your child everything they need to prepare for grammar school exams.

Children work independently through over 90,000 interactive practice questions in English, maths and reasoning. Teacher-created helpsheets and videos help them discover new concepts and consolidate their learning.

Atom's algorithm keeps children on their ideal learning path, tailored to their unique learning style and pace to keep them challenged and motivated.