Dr Challoner’s Grammar 11 Plus Guide
It might be difficult to find your way around the 11 Plus the first time as a parent. How do you aid your kid in getting ready for the Dr Challoner’s Grammar 11 Plus Exam? What kind of exam structure is it? What stores sell test papers? We’ve provided parents with a “Dr Challoner’s Grammar 11 Plus Tips” in this article that seeks to address all of your concerns.
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Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, Buckinghamshire
Dr Challoner’s Grammar School is a boys’ grammar school in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England. It is an average size secondary school with academy status and it often appears in the top twenty state schools nationally. This page has everything you need to know about Dr Challoner’s Grammar School and can help you get started with the admissions process. You can also find helpful information about the 11 plus exam, such as exam practice resources, information about exam boards and key dates in the calendar.
School details:
Address: Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, Chesham Road, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, HP6 5HA
County: Buckinghamshire
Type of school: Boys’ grammar school, co-educational at Sixth Form
Age range: 11-18
Ofsted rating: Outstanding
Number of pupils: 1326
Admissions to Year 7: 180
Open evening (2024 entry): TBC – however, you can find videos of their virtual open events here
11+ exam date (2024 entry): September 2023
Exam board: The Secondary Transfer Test (GL Assessment)
Admissions phone number: 01494 787556
Admissions email address: admin@challoners.com
A Brief Overview of Dr Challoner’s Grammar School and its Performance
The school was originally founded in 1624 and is known for its academic reputation. In 2011 the school was named the best grammar school in the country (boys achieved an 100% pass rate at GCSE and almost a third of candidates only achieved A* and A grades). In terms of student make up, approximately 9% of pupils speak English as a second language, 3% are on free school meals and 9% have some support for special educational needs.
The school’s more recent results are also excellent: in 2019, 84% of A-level entries were awarded A*-B, with 57% being A* or A and 76 students achieved all A*s and As. Around twenty students also went on to study at Oxford or Cambridge. At GCSE, 50% of grades were awarded 9 or 8 (A*), and 77% of students secured at least 5 grades at level 7 or better. The school’s Progress 8 scores are also in the top 14% of schools in England. You can find a full breakdown of the school’s 2019 results here.
In 2022 GCSE exams,
Dr Challoner’s Grammar 11 Plus Admissions Process: 2024 Entry
Below you can find the key dates in the calendar for the 2024 entry. Please note that if your child already attends a Buckinghamshire primary school (excluding independent schools), they will automatically be registered for the 11 plus exam. Parents should contact the school for details on opting out. You can also find more information in their Admissions Policy for 2024.
Preparing for Dr Challoner’s Grammar 11 Plus Exam
The Secondary Transfer Test is made up of two 60 minute exams. The first is an English paper which involves comprehension, grammar and Verbal Reasoning questions; the second is a Maths paper which also involves Non-Verbal and Spatial Reasoning questions. Each paper is weighted 50/50; however, the sections are not. The first paper accounts for 50% of the marks, while the second paper is split non-verbal 25% and mathematics 25%. You can find a familiarisation booklet, with guidance on how to answer the different types of questions, here, and there is also plenty of detailed information on the Buckinghamshire Council website.
While much of the test is like KS2 Maths and English questions that candidates are familiar with from school, Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning may be new and this may be where your child should start with revision. This helpful 11 Plus Exam Guide to the Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests can help you to better understand how to prepare your child for these elements of The Secondary Transfer Test, and it’s also worth checking out the GL Assessment page, which has lots of handy free resources.
The test is competitive, but there are also 13 grammar schools to choose from in Buckinghamshire, which works in students’ favour. In general around 30% of students who sit the Secondary Transfer Test qualify for a grammar school place each year, with around a further 5% qualifying after a successful Appeal or Review. You can find the allocation profiles for all the grammar schools in Buckinghamshire here, which explains how priority has previously been allocated to previous students, which may help you in deciding which school to put as your first choice.
As the exam is scheduled for mid-September, your son should already be getting prepared. However, if they have not started preparing yet, it is not too late. Discover Help your Child Become 11 Plus-Ready in the Six-Month Countdown to the exam for support in approaching exam readiness and preparation, and for parents who are unsure where to begin, you might like to check out this Top 10 Tips to Pass the 11+ Exam guide.
Dr Challoner’s Grammar 11 Plus Sample Test Papers and Resources
There are past papers available online, but it’s important to remember that it does vary slightly from year to year in order to make it harder for students to prepare. As the Secondary Transfer Test uses the GL exam board there are lots of resources and past papers available online; you can find a selection of these below.
English
11+ English Multiple Choice Book 1 | Answer 1
11+ English GL Familiarisation Paper | Answers
Maths
11+ Maths Multiple Choice Book 1 | Answer Sheet 1
11+ Maths Multiple Choice Book 2 | Answer Sheet 2
11+ Maths GL Familiarisation Paper | Answers
Verbal Reasoning
11+ Verbal Reasoning Multiple Choice Book 1 | Answer Sheet 1
11+ Verbal Reasoning Multiple Choice Book 2 | Answer Sheet 2
Non-Verbal Reasoning
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Multiple Choice Book 1 | Answer Sheet 1
11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Multiple Choice Book 2 | Answer Sheet 2
It may well also be worth investing in CGP Study Books for the GL Assessment; they have everything from question cards, practice papers, 10 minute tests and online editions which can help to make revision as fun and stress-free as possible.
Additional Information about Dr Challoner’s Grammar School
You can find the school’s prospectus and information booklet here, as well as links to videos documenting their Virtual Open Events. The school’s website also has an excellent Enrichment page, which details the school’s sport, music and co-curricular programmes, including everything from the UK Sailing Academy to Model United Nations to the Student Journalism Team. The school also runs a successful House system with inter-house competitions; numerous trips abroad, including sports trips to Spain and the US; a Robotics club which has won several awards; and the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The sports facilities at the school are also very good, with two sports halls, a floodlit all-weather sports pitch, six tennis courts, a climbing wall, two fitness suites, a county standard cricket square and pavilion.
Dr Challoner’s Grammar School FAQs
What is Dr Challoner’s Grammar School’s Ofsted rating?
Dr Challoner’s Grammar School’s Ofsted rating is ‘Outstanding’. You can find all the previous reports and ratings here.
Does Dr Challoner’s Grammar School have a catchment area?
Yes, the school does have a catchment area. You can find a map of the catchment area here, and further information, including a postcode checker, here.
What is the pass mark for the Secondary Transfer Test?
This can vary slightly year on year, but students normally need a score of 121 or more to automatically qualify for a grammar school place in Buckinghamshire.
What happens if Dr Challoner’s Grammar School is oversubscribed?
In the event that more boys pass the entrance exams than there are places, then priority will be given to looked after children, children on Pupil Premium, children with a brother already at the school, children with health needs and children who live within the catchment area. You can find more information in their Admissions Policy.
Does Dr Challoner’s Grammar School have a uniform?
Yes, the school does have a uniform – you can find out details, and contact details of the suppliers, here.
How competitive is entry to Dr Challoner’s Grammar School?
As one of the UK’s top performing grammar schools, competition for places is high. The school website states that in 2017, of the 530 qualified applicants, 233 listed Dr Challoner’s Grammar School as their first preference.
You can also access further 11 plus exam resources below:
A Guide to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests
Best Private Schools in the UK: Top 100 in 2022
11+ Maths Exam: Helping Your Child to Prepare and Pass in 2023
Meet the 11+ Online Tutors Delivering Results
When Should you Start to Prepare Your Child for the 11 Plus Exam