Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Type: Co-educational grammar school with academy status
• Location: Sidcup, London Borough of Bexley
• Founded: 1931 (originally Sidcup County School for Boys)
• Age Range: 11-18 years
• Current Pupils: Over 1,400 students
• Headteacher: Nigel Walker (since 2009)
• Ofsted Rating: Good
• 11+ Test: Bexley Selection Test (September)
• Application Deadline: 31st October annually

About Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School

Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School has been providing exceptional education in the London Borough of Bexley since 1931. Originally established as Sidcup County School for Boys, the school became co-educational in 1973, reflecting its commitment to providing outstanding academic opportunities for all students regardless of gender.

Under the leadership of Headteacher Nigel Walker, who has guided the school since 2009, the institution has undergone significant transformation and modernisation. The school's motto, "Abeunt Studia In Mores" (Through study character grows), encapsulates its philosophy that academic excellence and character development go hand in hand.

The school has invested over £10 million in the past decade to enhance its facilities, creating purpose-built spaces for art, music, technology, performing arts, and computing. These state-of-the-art facilities ensure that students have access to the resources they need to excel across all areas of the curriculum, from traditional academic subjects to creative and technical disciplines.

With over 1,400 pupils, the school maintains a vibrant learning community whilst ensuring personalised attention for each student. The school's location in Sidcup provides easy access for families across South East London and North Kent, making it an attractive option for parents seeking high-quality grammar school education.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Entry to Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School is through the Bexley Selection Test, a competitive examination designed to identify the most academically able students in the borough. The assessment consists of two comprehensive one-hour papers that evaluate students across multiple cognitive areas.

Test Components:

• English comprehension - assessing reading skills and language understanding
• Mathematics - covering numerical reasoning and problem-solving abilities
• Verbal reasoning - evaluating logical thinking with words and language
• Non-verbal reasoning - testing spatial awareness and pattern recognition

All questions are presented in multiple-choice format, allowing students to demonstrate their knowledge efficiently within the time constraints. The test is designed to be challenging yet fair, identifying students who will thrive in the rigorous academic environment of a grammar school.

Selection Criteria:

There is no predetermined pass mark for the Bexley Selection Test. Instead, the 180 highest-scoring candidates applying to each Bexley grammar school become eligible for places. This competitive approach ensures that only the most academically capable students gain entry, maintaining the school's high academic standards.

The success rate is approximately 30% of test-takers achieving scores sufficient for grammar school consideration, highlighting the competitive nature of the selection process.

How to Apply

Application Timeline for Year 7 Entry:

• May 1st - 31st: Registration opens for the Bexley Selection Test
• September 9th-12th: Test administration period
• Mid-October: Results released to parents
• October 31st: Deadline to submit secondary school application form
• March 3rd: School place allocations announced

Step-by-Step Application Process:

Parents must first register their child for the Bexley Selection Test during the May registration window. Following successful registration, children will take the test during the designated September period. Results are typically released in mid-October, allowing parents time to complete their local authority secondary school application form.

If your child achieves a qualifying score, you must name Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School on your local authority's secondary school application form by the October 31st deadline. Final school place allocations are announced in early March of the following year.

Oversubscription Criteria:

In the event that more than 180 qualifying students apply, places are allocated according to the following priority order:

• Looked-after and previously looked-after children
• The 180 highest scorers in the Selection Test
• Siblings of current pupils
• Children of school staff employed for two or more years
• Proximity to the school

Preparing for the Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

The Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School 11+ rewards steady preparation over a year or so, with the last term given to timed practice and interview confidence. Having prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools, with placements including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, our tutors match the programme to the school's assessment format and to where the child is starting from.

Because the pool includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools, and more than half of our tutors hold Qualified Teacher Status, families get a tutor who understands what the assessors are looking for. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.

Families work with us online from anywhere in the UK or abroad, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject, with no registration fee and a free initial consultation to talk through your child's current level and the timeline to the 11+. Families receive progress reports after sessions and have a dedicated point of contact, and we reply to enquiries within one working day with tutor recommendations.

Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.