Chesham Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Chesham Grammar School

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

Nestled in the heart of White Hill, Chesham, lies Chesham Grammar School, a beacon of educational excellence for students aged 11 to 18. This co-educational grammar school has earned a stellar reputation for its unwavering commitment to providing a well-rounded and comprehensive education that prepares its pupils for the ever-evolving challenges of the modern world. With its status as an Academy, Specialist, and Humanities College, Chesham Grammar School stands at the forefront of educational innovation.

At Chesham Grammar School, students embark on an enriching educational journey guided by the national curriculum. The school takes great pride in striking a harmonious balance between classical academic subjects and creative pursuits, ensuring that pupils receive a diverse and stimulating learning experience. From the moment they step through the doors, students are encouraged to explore their passions and cultivate new interests through a wide array of extracurricular activities. Whether it's honing their filmmaking skills in the film club, showcasing their musical talents in the various choirs, or delving into the world of computer programming, there is something for every student to embrace and enjoy.

The ethos of Chesham Grammar School is firmly rooted in the values of kindness, aspiration, and respect. These guiding principles permeate every aspect of school life, fostering an environment where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential. The school's vision is clear: to nurture well-rounded individuals who are not only academically accomplished but also possess the strength of character and resilience necessary to thrive in the face of life's challenges. This commitment to excellence is evident in the exceptional performance of Chesham Grammar School's students, who consistently achieve outstanding results at both GCSE and A-levels.

Recognized as an "Outstanding" institution by Ofsted, Chesham Grammar School continues to set the standard for educational excellence. The school's dedicated staff work tirelessly to create a nurturing and stimulating learning environment that encourages students to push the boundaries of their abilities and embrace their unique talents. With its rich history, vibrant community, and unwavering commitment to student success, Chesham Grammar School is undoubtedly a shining example of what can be achieved when passion, dedication, and educational excellence come together.

School Information

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

Chesham 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 1,313 pupils attend Chesham Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Miss Annmarie McNaney.

Chesham 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 Chesham Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Information

In order to get into Chesham Grammar School, children need to pass the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT). This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Subjects & Structure

The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English comprehension
• Technical English
• Verbal reasoning
• Key Stage 2 maths
• Non-verbal reasoning
• Spatial reasoning

The Secondary Transfer Test is a crucial assessment for students seeking admission to Chesham Grammar School. This exam, provided by GL Assessment, evaluates a range of skills across two distinct one-hour papers. The first paper focuses on verbal abilities, assessing proficiency in English comprehension, technical English, and verbal reasoning. These skills are essential for understanding complex texts, expressing ideas effectively, and drawing logical conclusions.

The second paper concentrates on mathematical and non-verbal skills. Students are tested on their grasp of Key Stage 2 maths concepts, their capacity for non-verbal reasoning, and their aptitude for spatial reasoning. These skills demonstrate a student's problem-solving abilities, pattern recognition, and understanding of mathematical principles.

Success in the Secondary Transfer Test requires a well-rounded academic foundation and the ability to apply knowledge in various contexts. Chesham Grammar School seeks students who excel in both verbal and non-verbal domains, showcasing their potential for further academic growth and achievement.

Other Schools using Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT)

As well as Chesham Grammar School, several other schools also use Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT). These are:

• Aylesbury Grammar School
• Aylesbury High School
• Beaconsfield High School
• Burnham Grammar School
• Dr Challoner's Grammar School
• Dr Challoner's High School
• John Hampden Grammar School
• Royal Latin School
• Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School
• Sir William Borlase's Grammar School
• The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
• Wycombe High School

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Chesham 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!

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) 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 Chesham Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) tests (to get into Chesham 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 Chesham Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Chesham Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 12/03/2014 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 04/04/2014, 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

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Chesham 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

Unfortunately, Chesham Grammar School has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

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