Dr Challoner's Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Dr Challoner's Grammar School

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

Nestled in the heart of Amersham, Dr Challoner's Grammar School has been a beacon of educational excellence for centuries. This prestigious institution has garnered a reputation as one of the premier state grammar schools in the United Kingdom, providing an exceptional learning experience for boys aged 11 to 18 and a co-educational sixth form. With a student body of 1,300, the school fosters an atmosphere of intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and academic achievement.

At Dr Challoner's Grammar School, students embark on a comprehensive educational journey that encompasses a wide array of subjects, including the sciences, humanities, languages, and the arts. The school's dedicated faculty, comprised of the most talented educators in the region, create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that encourages students to explore their passions and reach their full potential. Beyond the classroom, pupils have the opportunity to participate in a diverse range of co-curricular activities, from sports teams to music ensembles, drama productions, and student leadership initiatives.

The school's ethos is firmly rooted in the development of well-rounded, compassionate, and open-minded individuals. By instilling values such as kindness, resilience, and aspiration, Dr Challoner's Grammar School aims to cultivate a generation of responsible young adults who are prepared to make significant contributions to society. This commitment to excellence has earned the school an "Outstanding" rating from Ofsted and a host of prestigious accolades, including the Mind Workplace Wellbeing Awards gold award and the ACE 'School of Character' kitemark.

As a testament to its exceptional academic standards, Dr Challoner's Grammar School consistently ranks among the top-performing state schools in Buckinghamshire and the United Kingdom as a whole. Graduates of the school go on to pursue higher education at renowned universities, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and character necessary to succeed in their chosen fields. With its rich history, vibrant community, and unwavering dedication to student success, Dr Challoner's Grammar School continues to set the standard for excellence in education.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Dr Challoner's Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

Dr Challoner's Grammar School is a boys only 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 1,368 pupils attend Dr Challoner's Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr David Atkinson.

Dr Challoner's 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 Dr Challoner's Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Information

In order to get into Dr Challoner's 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 Dr Challoner's Grammar School. This exam, provided by GL Assessment, evaluates the academic abilities and potential of prospective students through two distinct one-hour papers.

The first paper focuses on verbal skills, assessing the student's proficiency in English comprehension, technical English, and verbal reasoning. These sections aim to gauge the student's ability to understand and analyze written texts, grasp complex language concepts, and apply logical thinking to solve word-based problems.

The second paper concentrates on mathematical and non-verbal skills. This includes Key Stage 2 maths, which tests the student's knowledge and application of essential mathematical concepts. Additionally, non-verbal reasoning and spatial reasoning sections evaluate the student's capacity to identify patterns, solve problems using visual cues, and demonstrate an understanding of shapes and space. Success in this exam is a key factor in securing a place at Dr Challoner's Grammar School.

Other Schools using Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT)

As well as Dr Challoner's 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
• Chesham 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 Dr Challoner's 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 Dr Challoner's 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 Dr Challoner's 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 Dr Challoner's Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Dr Challoner's Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 05/11/2019 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 28/02/2020, 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

Dr Challoner's Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 5 November 2019 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional quality of education, with students consistently achieving high academic standards. The inspection also highlighted the outstanding behaviour and attitudes of the students, who displayed a positive and respectful approach to learning.

The school's personal development provision was deemed outstanding, with a wide range of opportunities for students to develop their skills, interests, and character. The leadership and management of the school were also rated as outstanding, with a clear vision and effective strategies in place to ensure continuous improvement.

Furthermore, the sixth form provision at Dr Challoner's Grammar School was found to be outstanding, with students receiving high-quality teaching, support, and guidance to help them achieve their academic and personal goals.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Dr Challoner's 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, Dr Challoner's Grammar School has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use our 11+ practice papers to help your child prepare.

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 Dr Challoner's Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.