Bexley Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Bexley Grammar School

Bexley Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Bexley, London. For children to get into Bexley Grammar School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Bexley Grammar School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the vibrant London Borough of Bexley, Bexley Grammar School stands as a beacon of academic excellence and holistic student development. This co-educational grammar school has garnered an outstanding reputation for its unwavering commitment to providing a well-rounded education that nurtures intellect, empathy, and courage in equal measure.

At Bexley Grammar School, students embark on an ambitious and comprehensive curriculum that spans from Year 7 through to the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in the Sixth Form. The school takes immense pride in its language program, ensuring that all students pursue at least two modern languages at the GCSE level. This emphasis on linguistic proficiency is further enhanced by numerous opportunities for international trips and foreign exchanges, allowing students to immerse themselves in diverse cultures and broaden their horizons.

Beyond the classroom, Bexley Grammar School offers a plethora of extracurricular activities designed to cater to a wide array of interests and passions. From the Robotics and Engineering clubs to the STEM and Latin societies, students have ample opportunities to explore their talents and develop new skills. The school's proximity to London also enables students to take full advantage of the city's rich learning resources and cultural offerings.

At the heart of Bexley Grammar School's ethos lies a deep-rooted commitment to fostering strong relationships between students and teachers. This supportive and nurturing environment empowers students to pursue their aspirations with confidence and resilience. With an impressive track record of academic achievements and a growing number of students attaining remarkable scores in the IB Diploma, Bexley Grammar School continues to cement its position as a leading institution for academic excellence and personal growth.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Bexley Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

Bexley Grammar School is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,462 pupils attend Bexley Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Hugh Gilmore.

Bexley Grammar School Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Bexley Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Bexley Selection Test 11+ Information

In order to get into Bexley Grammar School, children need to pass the Bexley Selection Test 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Bexley Selection Test 11+ Subjects & Structure

The Bexley Selection Test 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English Comprehension
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning

The Bexley Selection Test is an entrance examination for students seeking admission to Bexley Grammar School. This comprehensive assessment spans two hours, divided into two separate one-hour papers. The test is designed to evaluate a student's aptitude across four key areas: English comprehension, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning.

Throughout the examination, students are presented with a series of multiple-choice questions. These questions are carefully crafted to gauge a student's understanding of the English language, their ability to interpret and analyze written passages, and their capacity to apply mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the test assesses a student's proficiency in both verbal and non-verbal reasoning, which involves identifying patterns, logical deduction, and abstract thinking.

The Bexley Selection Test serves as a critical tool in determining a student's suitability for the academically rigorous environment at Bexley Grammar School. By evaluating a broad range of cognitive abilities, the examination aims to identify students who possess the necessary skills and potential to thrive within the school's challenging curriculum.

Other Schools using Bexley Selection Test 11+

As well as Bexley Grammar School, several other schools also use Bexley Selection Test 11+. These are:

• Beths Grammar School
• Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School
• Townley Grammar School

Bexley Selection Test 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Bexley Grammar School is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Bexley Selection Test 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Bexley Selection Test 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Bexley Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Bexley Selection Test 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Bexley Selection Test 11+ tests (to get into Bexley Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Bexley Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Bexley Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 18/10/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 24/11/2022, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

Bexley Grammar School received an Outstanding rating in its Ofsted inspection on 18 October 2022. The school demonstrated exceptional performance across all areas assessed, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.

The inspection report highlights the school's outstanding quality of education, indicating that students receive high-quality teaching and learning experiences. The school's approach to behaviour and attitudes was also deemed outstanding, suggesting a positive and supportive learning environment. Additionally, the school's commitment to personal development was recognized as outstanding, emphasizing the holistic growth of students.

The leadership and management at Bexley Grammar School were also rated as outstanding, demonstrating effective governance and strategic direction. Furthermore, the sixth form provision was found to be outstanding, ensuring that older students receive excellent support and guidance in their academic and personal pursuits.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Bexley Grammar School per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are all available past 11+ papers for Bexley Grammar School. Please note that this may include past 11+ papers, past familiarisation booklets, past practice materials published by third parties and past 11+ exam guides written by the school. These materials are provided 'as-is' and may no longer reflect the subjects, format, structure or exam board that Bexley Grammar School currently uses.

The exam board that Bexley Grammar School chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Bexley Selection Test 11+ Ensure you double-check with Bexley Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.