About Bexley Grammar Schools
The London Borough of Bexley hosts 4 grammar schools — Beths Grammar (boys), Bexley Grammar (mixed), Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar (mixed), and Townley Grammar (girls) — coordinated through the Bexley Selection Test (BST). Unusually, all 4 schools admit purely by test rank order — there is no catchment area for any Bexley grammar. Bexley operates the earliest registration deadline in England (31 March), making it a key 'first wave' application.
History & Tradition
Bexley's grammars are primarily mid-20th century — Beths Grammar (1924), Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar (1931), Bexley Grammar (1955), Townley Grammar (1928). When London Government Reform abolished most grammars in 1965, Bexley retained all 4 — making it one of the few London boroughs to keep its complete selective system.
The Entry Test
The Bexley Selection Test (BST) covers English (multiple-choice from 2024), Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The combined raw score is age-standardised; the qualifying mark is set at the 26th percentile of cohort performance — typically around 343 for 2026 entry.
Bexley 11+ at a Glance
7 Things You Should Know About Bexley Grammar Schools
Researched facts about the region's selective schools — drawn from official sources, school websites and education research.
- 1All 4 Bexley grammars have NO catchment area — they admit purely by Bexley Selection Test rank order. Children from across London and Kent can apply.
- 2Bexley operates the earliest registration deadline in England — Tuesday 31 March 2026. Late registration is not accepted under any circumstances.
- 3The Bexley Selection Test English paper was changed to multiple-choice in 2024 — eliminating the previous written component and making the entire test computer-markable.
- 4The Bexley qualifying mark is set at the 26th percentile — typically around 343 in the combined raw score for 2026 entry. Children scoring at or above this are eligible.
- 5Townley Grammar (Bexleyheath, girls) has a strong reputation for Sciences — historically one of the few all-girls grammars to send multiple pupils to Medicine.
- 6Beths Grammar (Bexley, boys) and Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar are popular with families from across South London — drawing applicants from Croydon, Lewisham, and Bromley.
- 7Bexley families often apply to Kent grammars too — the geographic proximity to Kent's Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Sidcup grammars makes 'dual-application' a common strategy.
| Rank | School Name | Gender | PAN | 11+ Exam | GCSE 9-7 | A-Level A*-B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #50 | Bexley Grammar School#50 | Mixed | 192 | GL Assessment | 67.3% | 84.1% |
| #84 | Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School#84 | Mixed | 180 | GL Assessment | 71.5% | 72.6% |
| #86 | Townley Grammar School#86 | Girls | 224 | GL Assessment | 69.7% | 72.9% |
| Beths Grammar School | Boys | 155 | GL Assessment | — | — |
Bexley Grammar Schools — Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the top-ranked grammar schools in Bexley?
In the 2026 Sunday Times Parent Power tables, the highest-ranked Bexley grammar schools include Bexley Grammar School, Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, Townley Grammar School. Full rankings plus GCSE and A-Level results for every school are in the table above.
What 11+ exam do Bexley grammar schools use?
Most Bexley grammar schools admit pupils through the GL Assessment 11+. Check each school's row above, as some set their own entrance test or use a different exam board.
What makes Bexley grammar schools distinctive?
All 4 Bexley grammars have NO catchment area — they admit purely by Bexley Selection Test rank order. Children from across London and Kent can apply.
What else should families know about the Bexley 11+?
Bexley operates the earliest registration deadline in England — Tuesday 31 March 2026. Late registration is not accepted under any circumstances.
Nearby Regions
Many families consider grammars in neighbouring regions to maximise options. Explore: