As with other selective Buckinghamshire schools, Chesham Grammar – a coeducational secondary school of around 1,300 pupils, with over 400 in the sixth form – aims to strike a balance between academic achievement and preparing students for their place in a changing world.
Parents are impressed and keen to stress the pastoral preparations that the school makes; and that the school foster kindness and humility in addition to creating a challenging academic environment.
A 2025 Ofsted report confirmed the schools as Outstanding in all areas, reserving particular praise for the presence of a school ethos that is “exceptionally happy and welcoming”, with “strong and positive relationships… at the heart of the school’s culture…”. They also recognised that the school worked to maintain a strong sense of community.
Importantly for ambitious students and parents, the report also recognised that Chesham Grammar "ensures that all pupils flourish academically and personally”. In practise this translates into excellent results. At A Level, almost 60% of entries were at A*/A, with 85% A*-B. This places the school ahead of other selective local schools such as Dr Challoner’s High and Sir William Borlase’s Grammar. Students also achieved very impressive GCSE results, with 23% at grade 9, with over two thirds of results graded 7-9.
Entry Points
Normal entry points are Years 7 and 12. Each year the school plans to admit 180 students in Year 7.
A relatively small number of external candidates (30) are admitted to a large Sixth Form, which has a nominal capacity in excess of 400.
Students looking to gain entry to the school outside of these standard access point should be advised that the school rarely admits into Year 8 and 9 – and never into year 10 and 11 where GCSE courses have already begun.
Admission Requirements for 11+ Entry at Chesham Grammar School
Families wishing to apply for Chesham Grammar must follow a process common to all schools in the Buckinghamshire region. The county operates its own 11+ exams – here called the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (or STT). Children are only eligible for consideration for entry into any Buckinghamshire selective school if they get the qualifying score of 121 in these exams.
All students who attend Buckinghamshire primary schools are enrolled to sit the test and do so in the Autumn preceding desired entry, and will sit the test at their own primary school. Children at other schools – including those attending private preparatory schools in the county - should register for the test independently. They will then sit the exams at central testing venues in Buckinghamshire.
Achieving the pass score of 121 is only the beginning of the process, and other admissions criteria apply at Chesham. 20 of 180 Year 7 places are set aside for those in receipt of the Pupil Premium - and who live in the school catchment area.
Places are then reserved for those who are subject to an ‘adoption, residence, child arrangements or special guardianship order’ – and those who receive free school meals. 15 places are then allocated randomly to those who achieve the test score and live within the catchment area. There are also places given to the children of staff members, and the siblings of those at the school presently. Spaces are then offered out in distance order from Chesham Grammar.
What Sort of Questions Should I Expect in the Chesham Grammar School Entrance Tests?
The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (SST) consists of two papers of 60 minutes each, which includes built-in time for introduction and practice sections. Both exams are sat in the same session, with a short break in between.
One SST exam tests verbal elements; the other assesses maths and non-verbal reasoning. Familiarisation or practice papers are available to candidates (for free) via the GL Assessment site. In addition, the county will make materials available to students in Year 5 before entry.
You can also pay to sit an additional practise test which includes the same two papers of the SST – and so which copies the form of the actual Buckinghamshire test.
16+ (Sixth Form) Admission Requirements for Chesham Grammar School
In common with the ethos present in the rest of the school, community responsibilities are foregrounded from the moment students enter a highly successful and vibrant Sixth Form. It is also a large Sixth Form of around 400 students, with the vast majority coming up to study following the successful completion of their GCSEs at the school. All students, internal and external applicants, must meet the admission criteria as set out below. Each year at least 30 places will be reserved for external candidates.
All potential Sixth Formers must gain a minimum of 48 points from their top eight GCSE results. A grade 5 or above must normally be achieved in both English Language and Maths. Those wishing to study a particular subject at A Level must achieve at least a Grade 6 in that course at GCSE, though do be aware that a Grade 7 may be required in some subjects.
Preparation Tips for Chesham Grammar School Admissions
The Buckinghamshire SST has a lot in common with other 11+ exams, and as such the plethora of materials available online will serve to assist in your preparations.
Buckinghamshire Council also provides an online familiarisation guide to all families invited to testing. This guide aims to reassure parents as to what to expect on the day, as well as providing advice about sitting the test, and sample assessment questions. As with all 11+ testing, it is essential that candidates get the chance to practise in the style of the actual test, and rehearse the sort of multiple choice questions that will be included.
Broadly speaking, parents can help pupils by helping them to work quietly under ‘exam conditions’, to check meaning from within reading, and to help them work through any practise materials. Read more preparation tips in our Guide to 11+ grammar school entrance exams.
Keystone Tutors have a very strong record of preparing students for tests in this regard and can assist with focused study in the above areas. We employ specialist grammar school tutors who can guide families across what can be an intimidating entrance process. Please contact the office to talk through any element of Buckinghamshire testing process.