About Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS)
Dr Challoner's Grammar School is one of the UK's top-performing grammar schools, consistently ranked Outstanding by Ofsted. It admits 180 boys per year and is part of The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) Consortium. Entry requires achieving the qualifying STT score of 121. The school has a defined catchment area covering Amersham, Chesham, Chalfont St Giles, Chalfont Common, Gerrards Cross, Great Missenden and Prestwood.
Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 64.8%. A-Level A*–B: 87.5%.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS)
Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) is a boys state grammar school in England that uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test to select pupils for Year 7 admission. The school admits approximately 180 Year 7 pupils each September, and applications must be made through your home Local Authority via the Common Application Form (CAF) — never directly to the school.
The GL Assessment 11+ is one of two main 11+ test providers in England (the other being CEM, now retired in many regions). The Bucks test typically consists of multiple papers covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Scores are standardised against the cohort age distribution, so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. Each school sets its own qualifying mark (pass mark).
For 2027 entry, the GL Assessment test is sat in Thursday 11 September 2026 and results are released to parents on mid-October 2026 — crucially, before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026, giving parents time to consider results before listing school preferences. National Offers Day is Monday 1 March 2027, when Local Authorities issue Year 7 secondary school offers.
Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the 11+ test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (180 places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS)
Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) Admissions Criteria
Dr Challoner's Grammar School is one of the UK's top-performing grammar schools, consistently ranked Outstanding by Ofsted. It admits 180 boys per year and is part of The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) Consortium. Entry requires achieving the qualifying STT score of 121. The school has a defined catchment area covering Amersham, Chesham, Chalfont St Giles, Chalfont Common, Gerrards Cross, Great Missenden and Prestwood.
- ✓Children attending Buckinghamshire state primary schools are automatically registered for the STT.
- ✓Children at other schools must register via Buckinghamshire Council (opens 1st May, closes 2nd June 2026).
- ✓Sit the Buckinghamshire STT: two one-hour multiple-choice papers. Scores weighted 50% Verbal, 25% Numerical, 25% Non-Verbal.
- ✓Achieve a qualifying standardised score of 121 or above (Pupil Premium boys in the catchment area may qualify at 115+).
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children who have achieved the qualifying score (highest priority).
- ✓Boys within the DCGS catchment area receiving Pupil Premium who score 115 or above.
- ✓Boys within the catchment area who have achieved the qualifying score of 121, ranked by score.
- ✓Sons of DCGS staff employed permanently for 2+ years who have achieved the qualifying score.
- ✓All other qualifying boys, ranked by straight-line distance from the school.
Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 180 Year 7 admission number, the Board of Governors / Trust applies the following criteria in priority order. Final ranking uses the standardised score achieved in the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test.
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children (highest priority by law)
- Children who achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test (above the qualifying standard set by Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS))
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium / Free School Meals Entitlement (FSME)
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school
- Children with sibling(s) currently attending the school
- Children of staff (where staff member has worked at the school for 2+ years)
- Children ranked by total standardised score (highest first) up to the published admission number
- Tiebreak: distance from home to school (straight-line measurement) for children with equal scores
Key Dates & Deadlines — Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | May 2026 via Bucks 11+ portal |
| 📌 Registration closes | late June 2026 |
| 📌 GL Assessment 11+ Entrance Test | Thursday 11 September 2026 (Familiarisation: 7 Sept; Main test: Verbal + Non-Verbal + Maths) |
| 📌 Test results released | mid-October 2026 |
| 📌 CAF deadline (apply via Local Authority) | Friday 31 October 2026 |
| 📌 National Offers Day | Monday 1 March 2027 |
How to Apply to Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register your child for the GL Assessment 11+ Test
Register through your regional 11+ portal (e.g. Bucks) when registration opens. Closes late June 2026. There is no fee to sit the GL Assessment test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS)
Visit during Year 5 or early Year 6 to meet staff and pupils and decide whether to list this school on your CAF.
Step 3 — Sit the GL Assessment Entrance Test
Your child sits the GL Assessment in Thursday 11 September 2026. The test typically covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised scores age-adjusted.
Step 4 — Receive your standardised test results
Test results are released to parents on mid-October 2026, BEFORE the Common Application Form deadline. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
Step 5 — Complete your Common Application Form (CAF)
List Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) as one of your preferences on the CAF submitted via your home Local Authority (not the school's LA, unless they are the same). You can usually list 3-6 preferences depending on your LA.
Step 6 — Submit the CAF by the deadline
Submit your CAF by Friday 31 October 2026. Late applications are processed only after all on-time applications have been allocated, dramatically reducing your chance of a place.
Step 7 — Receive your school offer on National Offers Day
Offers are issued via your Local Authority on Monday 1 March 2027. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS)'s waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS)
Dr Challoner's Grammar School selects through the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) (GL Assessment), shared across the 13 TBGS grammar schools — two multiple-choice papers combined into a Secondary Transfer Test Score weighted 50% verbal, 25% numerical and 25% non-verbal, with a qualifying standard of 121.
- English & verbal reasoning: comprehension, technical English and verbal logic.
- Non-verbal & spatial reasoning: shapes, sequences and spatial patterns.
- Mathematics: Key Stage 2 numeracy and problem-solving.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS)
Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
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Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Dr Challoner's Grammar School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Dr Challoner's Grammar School is one of the top-performing grammar schools in the country — consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally in the Sunday Times Parent Power guide — and is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. In recent years around 99% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above at GCSE, with excellent A-Level results and strong progression to Russell Group and Oxbridge universities (and support for US and degree-apprenticeship pathways).
- GCSE: around 99% of pupils at grade 5+ in recent years.
- Sixth form: a co-educational sixth form with outstanding outcomes.
- Progression: very strong progression to leading universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for Dr Challoner's Grammar School
Admission to Year 7 is through the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) — produced by GL Assessment and administered by Buckinghamshire Council on behalf of The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) consortium of 13 schools. It is two multiple-choice papers (one covering comprehension, technical English and verbal reasoning; the other non-verbal reasoning, spatial reasoning and mathematics), with scores age-standardised and combined into a Secondary Transfer Test Score weighted 50% verbal, 25% numerical and 25% non-verbal; the qualifying standard is 121. Children at Buckinghamshire primaries are registered automatically, while families elsewhere register separately.
The school admits around 180 boys from roughly 500 applicants and operates a defined catchment area, giving priority to boys living closest — especially in Amersham, Chesham, Chalfont St Giles, Chalfont Common, Gerrards Cross, Great Missenden and Prestwood — though boys from outside may still apply and sit the test. Always confirm the current catchment map and criteria in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Dr Challoner's Grammar School is a selective boys' grammar (with a co-educational sixth form) of around 1,370 pupils on Chesham Road in Amersham, Buckinghamshire (HP6 5HA). Founded in 1624 by Robert Chaloner, it combines a strong traditional ethos with modern facilities, holds specialist status in science and languages, and organises pupils into six houses (Foxell, Holman, Newman, Pearson, Rayner and Thorne).
The school is known for a forward-thinking approach and a wide co-curricular programme that includes activities such as robotics and Model United Nations alongside sport, music and the arts. For the full list of clubs, teams and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dr Challoner's Grammar School
How do I apply to Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) for Year 7?
Applications to Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) are made through your home Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) — not directly to the school. Your child must sit the GL Assessment 11+ test (registration closes late June 2026), then list Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test for Year 7 admission, taken in Thursday 11 September 2026 (Familiarisation: 7 Sept; Main test: Verbal + Non-Verbal + Maths). The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised age-adjusted scores.
What is the pass mark / qualifying score for Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS)?
Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) sets its own qualifying mark each year. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) up to the admission number of 180 places.
How many Year 7 places does Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) have?
Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) admits 180 Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places fairly.
When are GL Assessment results released in 2026?
For 2027 Year 7 entry, GL Assessment test results are released on mid-October 2026 — before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
When is National Offers Day for Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) in 2027?
National Offers Day for Year 7 secondary school places in England is Monday 1 March 2027. Offers are issued by your home Local Authority — not directly by the school. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS)'s waiting list.
Is Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) a state school or fee-paying?
Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) is a state-funded grammar school — there are no tuition fees. As a state grammar, it is academically selective via the GL Assessment 11+ test, but pupils who pass the test do not pay to attend.
How can my child prepare for the Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete GL Assessment 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question (covering all GL topic areas — English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning), and downloadable resources. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the September 11+ test.
Where can I find Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS)'s official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS) 2027 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, qualifying mark, supplementary forms (if any), and any school-specific application requirements.