Exceptional results, a fierce Oxbridge pipeline, and a confident culture that asks academically gifted girls to think big. Dr Challoner's High School is reached via a tree-lined drive in Little Chalfont, surrounded by Buckinghamshire woodland, yet produces outcomes that rival the most competitive independent day schools in the country. With 3.5 applications for every Year 7 place and a Progress 8 score of +1.11, entry is intensely competitive, but those who secure places find themselves among the highest-achieving students in England.
The November 2023 Ofsted inspection awarded Outstanding across all categories. This is not merely a grammar school coasting on selective intake; value-added data places Challoner's among the top state schools in England for the progress students make from their starting points. Approximately 1,390 girls attend, including around 440 in the sixth form.
The school opened on 11 September 1962, when the previously mixed Dr Challoner's Grammar School in Amersham separated into single-sex institutions to accommodate rising roll numbers. Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, formally opened the Little Chalfont campus on 7 May 1964. The original Tower Block and Science Block remain in use today, though significant investment has transformed the site over six decades.
Alan Roe has led the school since October 2015, arriving from a headship at Chesham Grammar after a nine-year spell at the boys' school, Dr Challoner's Grammar School. A geography specialist, he still teaches Year 9 classes. Under his leadership, the school achieved record academic results in both 2023 and 2024, alongside major capital projects that have modernised the campus without compromising its woodland setting.
The atmosphere is purposeful and confident. Girls here know they belong to something special. The school has produced Amal Clooney, international human rights barrister; Carey Mulligan, Oscar-nominated actress; Fern Britton, television presenter; and Lucy Winkett, the first female Canon of St Paul's Cathedral. These alumni reflect the school's expectation that students will pursue ambition across every field, not merely those traditionally associated with grammar school education.
Staff turnover is low. Several teachers have served for decades, and the pastoral team has roughly doubled over the last decade. Each form group maintains the same tutor from Year 7 through Year 11, providing continuity that allows genuine relationships to develop. Student support officers, three counsellors, a matron, and a social worker supplement this structure.
Results are exceptional. In 2024, 77% of GCSE grades were 9-7, with 58% at 9-8. The Attainment 8 score of 78.2 places Dr Challoner's High School in the top 3% of schools in England, ranking 121st out of 4,593 schools nationally and 1st in the Amersham area (FindMySchool ranking based on official data).
The EBacc entry rate of 89% reflects a curriculum that takes academic breadth seriously. The EBacc average point score of 7.67 compares to an England average for grammar schools of approximately 4.08.
Most significantly, the Progress 8 score of +1.11 indicates students make progress more than a full grade above expectations. This is not a school succeeding purely through selective intake; teaching adds genuine value.
At A-level, 82% of grades were A*-B in 2024, with 54% at A*-A. These figures place the school 161st in England for sixth form outcomes, comfortably within the top 10% nationally (FindMySchool ranking). Locally, only one school achieves higher A-level results, making this the second-ranked sixth form in the Amersham area.
Mathematics is a particular strength. More than 100 students study mathematics in Year 13 alone, making it the largest A-level cohort in the school. Languages also flourish; unusually, Year 7 includes three modern foreign languages (Spanish, French and German), continuing two into Year 8 alongside Latin. This linguistic foundation supports strong uptake at A-level, where 25 subjects are offered.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
82.13%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
76.9%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching is rigorous and expectations are high. The latest inspection confirmed that staff have detailed knowledge of every pupil, and lessons are highly effective and personalised. Class sizes average 19 students, dropping to smaller groups for some A-level sets.
The curriculum follows a traditional academic model. Sciences are taught separately. Setting in core subjects allows teachers to pitch content appropriately while maintaining high challenge throughout. Teachers are described as inspiring their students while being inspired by them in return; this mutual intellectual respect characterises classroom culture.
3% of students are on the SEN register, with four holding Education, Health and Care Plans. The SEND team, comprising the SENCo, SEND manager, access arrangements coordinator, and learning support assistants, works as an integrated unit with pastoral staff. Support is discreet and effective.
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
In 2024, 72% of the cohort of 197 leavers progressed to university, with three-quarters of these attending Russell Group institutions. Nottingham, Birmingham, and Warwick prove most popular; other destinations include Durham, UCL, Manchester, King's College London, and Southampton.
The Oxbridge pipeline is strong. In the most recent cycle, 48 students applied to Oxford and Cambridge, receiving 14 offers. Eleven students ultimately took up Oxbridge places: seven at Cambridge and four at Oxford. This places the school 82nd in England for combined Oxbridge acceptances (FindMySchool ranking), a remarkable achievement for any state school.
The school ranks 59th nationally for Cambridge acceptances specifically, with a 45% offer rate from 22 applications. Medics and veterinary science applicants also succeed; in 2025, 17 students secured medical school places.
Beyond Oxbridge, 5% of leavers entered apprenticeships, reflecting the school's support for multiple pathways. 11% moved directly into employment, though the school's primary focus remains university preparation.
Competition is intense. In 2024, 658 applications were received for 180 places, a ratio of 3.5 to 1. Entry is determined by the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test, taken by all Year 6 pupils in the county.
The qualifying score of 121 secures automatic eligibility. Students scoring 115-120 may qualify depending on annual cohort performance, while those scoring 110-114 are considered where circumstances suggest the score underestimates ability. A Selection Review Panel considers borderline cases.
For September 2026 entry, registration for the transfer test opened on 2 May 2025 and closed on 13 June 2025. The practice test took place on 9 September 2025, with the main examination on 11 September 2025. Results were released on 10 October 2025. Parents must then submit their Local Authority Common Application Form by 31 October 2025.
Children at Buckinghamshire primary schools are automatically registered. Families outside the county must register separately through Buckinghamshire Council.
If more applicants qualify than places available, oversubscription criteria apply. Up to 12 places within the 180 are reserved for girls from the catchment area who receive pupil premium, are looked after, or were previously looked after, provided they achieve at least 115. The catchment area encompasses Amersham, Chesham, Chalfont St Giles, Chalfont Common, Gerrards Cross, Great Missenden, and Prestwood.
The sixth form admits 20 external students annually alongside internal progression. For September 2026, applications opened on 1 October 2025 and closed at 5pm on 19 January 2026.
Entry requirements are demanding. Students need eight GCSEs at grade 6 or above, with at least grade 5 in English and mathematics. Chosen A-level subjects require grade 6; some subjects specify grade 7 or higher. Where external applicants exceed available places, oversubscription criteria determine allocation.
The next Open Morning is scheduled for Friday 23 January 2026, providing prospective sixth formers with the opportunity to explore the new Sixth Form Centre and meet current students.
The tutoring question cannot be avoided. With nearly 2,000 candidates sitting the transfer test annually for the county's grammar schools, commercial preparation is widespread. The school does not officially recommend tutoring, and the test has been redesigned to reduce coaching advantage. In practice, most successful candidates have received some preparation.
Parents should approach this honestly. Modest familiarisation with test format is reasonable; years of intensive drilling is neither necessary nor healthy. Natural aptitude remains the primary determinant of success.
Applications
658
Total received
Places Offered
188
Subscription Rate
3.5x
Apps per place
The pastoral structure is unusually strong for a grammar school. Students retain the same form tutor throughout Years 7 to 11, building relationships that allow concerns to surface early. Student support officers provide additional oversight, while three counsellors offer professional intervention where needed.
MIND Mentors, a peer support programme, trains Year 12 and 13 students to provide a safe space for classmates facing everyday challenges. This student-led initiative reflects the school's belief that wellbeing responsibility extends throughout the community.
Behaviour is unfailingly positive. The inspection found safeguarding arrangements effective and noted that students feel safe and supported. The matron handles day-to-day health concerns; a social worker supports families facing external difficulties.
Music is central to school life. Around 250 girls learn instruments, with approximately one quarter receiving lessons on site. Five choirs rehearse weekly, including a joint choir with Dr Challoner's Grammar School (the boys' institution). Two orchestras, a swing band, and numerous chamber ensembles provide performance opportunities at every level.
Student leadership shapes the programme. Some ensembles are directed by senior musicians, developing conducting and organisational skills that translate into broader leadership capacity. Annual concerts, community performances, and collaborative productions with the boys' school ensure regular public showcase.
The Courtyard performing arts suite, completed in February 2009 following parent fundraising, transformed drama provision. Purpose-built facilities replaced the original gym and dance studio, providing professional-standard rehearsal and performance space.
Productions demonstrate ambition. Recent shows include Legally Blonde, 42nd Street, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Pride and Prejudice, and The Accrington Pals. Many productions involve collaboration with Dr Challoner's Grammar School, creating mixed casts for major musicals. LAMDA classes supplement curriculum drama, while clubs introduce technical theatre skills.
The school was awarded Sports College status in 2001, securing additional funding that transformed facilities and expanded the programme. A large modern sports hall accommodates indoor hockey, netball, basketball, and badminton. Outside, the campus offers a full-sized playing field, three netball courts, and four tennis courts.
Netball remains pre-eminent, with teams competing at high levels regionally. Football has grown rapidly in popularity, while cricket is developing fast. Athletics, tennis, gymnastics, and Zumba feature in the curriculum, with all students encouraged to find their sporting outlet.
The inter-house competition system ensures every girl can represent her house, not merely those selected for school teams. This participation philosophy means competitive fixtures extend well beyond elite squads.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme thrives. The vast majority of Year 9 students complete Bronze, with expeditions forming a highlight of Year 10. Gold participation is substantial, with approximately 60 Year 12 students enrolling annually.
The Debating Society has an excellent national record. In 2008, a Challoner's team won the regional round of the Oxford Union schools' competition, defeating 32 grammar and independent schools to reach the national finals. At least one team breaks to finals day almost every year, establishing the school as a genuine debating power.
The school day runs from 8:45am to 3:25pm. Located at Cokes Lane, Little Chalfont, the campus is accessible by bus routes serving Amersham, Chesham, and surrounding villages. Amersham station, on the Metropolitan line and Chiltern Railways, is approximately two miles away.
Open days and tours provide the best opportunity to experience the school atmosphere. The admissions team can advise on upcoming dates beyond the scheduled January open morning.
Entrance pressure is real. With 3.5 applications per place and nearly 2,000 candidates sitting the Buckinghamshire transfer test annually, preparation is widespread. Families should prepare for the emotional stakes involved, particularly given the binary nature of grammar school selection. Rejection after extensive preparation is difficult for children and parents alike.
The peer group adjusts expectations. Girls who have always been top of their class will find themselves among equals. Every student at Challoner's was exceptional at primary school. This is ultimately healthy, but the transition can bruise egos, and some girls take time to recalibrate their sense of academic identity.
Geography matters. The school serves a defined catchment area, and oversubscription criteria prioritise local families in certain circumstances. Families considering house moves to improve access should verify current arrangements carefully, as criteria can shift between application cycles.
Academic intensity is genuine. This is not a coasting comprehensive with a grammar label. Teaching is challenging, homework expectations are substantial, and the pace is brisk. Students who prefer a gentler approach, or who succeed through last-minute cramming rather than sustained effort, may find the environment demanding.
Dr Challoner's High School delivers outstanding academic outcomes within a genuinely supportive community. The combination of selective intake and exceptional value-added means students achieve results that exceed even their elevated starting points. Music, drama, sport, and debating extend opportunities well beyond examination performance, while pastoral care has strengthened markedly over the past decade.
Best suited to academically able girls who will thrive among intellectual equals, embrace challenge, and engage with the full breadth of school life. The main challenge is securing a place; for those who succeed, this is state education at its finest.
Dr Challoner's High School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted across all categories, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision. The school ranks 121st in England for GCSE outcomes and 161st for A-level results (FindMySchool rankings), placing it in the top 3% of schools nationally. Progress 8 scores of +1.11 demonstrate that students make exceptional progress from their starting points.
Entry requires passing the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (the 11-plus). Registration opens in May for tests held in September. A qualifying score of 121 or above secures eligibility; scores of 115-120 may qualify depending on annual cohort performance. All children at Buckinghamshire primary schools are automatically registered. Families outside the county must register separately through Buckinghamshire Council.
There is no distance-based catchment. However, oversubscription criteria reserve up to 12 places for qualifying girls who live in the defined catchment area (Amersham, Chesham, Chalfont St Giles, Chalfont Common, Gerrards Cross, Great Missenden, and Prestwood) and who receive pupil premium or are looked after children. For most applicants, test performance is the sole determinant.
The school does not recommend tutoring, and the Buckinghamshire transfer test has been redesigned to reduce coaching advantage. In practice, most successful candidates receive some preparation, though the extent varies significantly. Natural ability remains the primary factor; familiarisation with test format is reasonable, but years of intensive drilling is neither necessary nor healthy.
In 2024, 77% of GCSE grades were 9-7, with 58% at 9-8. At A-level, 82% of grades were A*-B, with 54% at A*-A. The Progress 8 score of +1.11 indicates students make progress more than a full grade above expectations. These results place the school among the highest-performing state schools in England.
In the most recent cycle, 48 students applied to Oxford and Cambridge, receiving 14 offers. Eleven students ultimately secured Oxbridge places: seven at Cambridge and four at Oxford. Three-quarters of university-bound leavers attend Russell Group institutions, with Nottingham, Birmingham, and Warwick proving most popular.
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