Beths transformed itself from a technical college founded in 1945 into one of southeast London's most competitive state grammar schools, achieving grammar status in 1976. The trajectory tells a story of ambition meeting opportunity. Beths Grammar School in Old Bexley, London operates at scale (capacity 1,740), so clear routines and calm transitions matter day to day. The school's recent investment in a brand-new sixth form centre, which opened in January 2025, signals continued confidence in its future. Academically, results place Beths firmly in the top tier : 40% of GCSE grades landed at 8-9, while the school ranks 270th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 6% of secondary schools. For selective entry, this represents exceptional value, combining academic rigour with the character development that defines the school's broader mission.
Beths is a selective boys' grammar school with a mixed sixth form. The selective element shapes culture instantly. These are children who have passed a competitive test and whose families have made deliberate choices about their secondary education. The result is a student body hungry for achievement, yet the school works conscientiously to avoid the narrowness this could create. Leadership under Headteacher Mr R J Blyghton emphasises the development of the whole student, not simply examination results.
The school operates a house system that anchors pastoral identity. Students remain in their house throughout their time here, creating continuity and belonging. Recent productions of The Addams Family and Oliver! involved students across technical, performance, and creative roles, showcasing a culture where achievement extends far beyond grade boundaries. The 2022 Ofsted inspection awarded Outstanding for Behaviour and Attitudes, reflecting what visitors immediately sense: purposefulness without aggressiveness, ambition without arrogance.
The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
The physical environment has evolved considerably. Purpose-built science laboratories, state-of-the-art computer rooms, and a well-equipped music department provide modern teaching spaces. The new sixth form centre, which opened in January 2025, offers sixth formers dedicated study areas, learning zones, and their own food service area. This investment in physical infrastructure mirrors the school's commitment to students' academic and social needs. Teachers are approachable, and the pace of instruction is brisk but not relentless.
Beths delivered strong outcomes in 2024. Just over 40% of all GCSE grades landed at 8-9 (the top grades), with the average Attainment 8 score of 72 placing the school well above the England average. The school achieved an A*-B pass rate of 62% across the curriculum (grades 9-7), indicating consistent strength across the board rather than narrow excellence in a few subjects.
The school ranks 270th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 6% of schools. Within Bexley, Beths is ranked 1st. This consistency matters: the school does not rely on a cohort of exceptional outliers but rather maintains steady, rigorous teaching across year groups. Progress 8 scores of +0.53 indicate that students make above-average progress from their starting points, a particularly valuable metric for selective schools where intake is already academically strong.
The sixth form picture is more typical for a state grammar school. A-level results showed 54% of grades at A*-B, with 25% at A* alone. The school ranks 961st in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it solidly in the middle bands. This reflects the reality that sixth form selection is less stringent than 11-plus entry. Some students progress internally from Year 11; others join externally with good GCSE results.
What matters is trajectory. Recent leavers data shows 92% of sixth form students progressed to university, with 65% securing places at Russell Group or more selective institutions. Seven students secured Oxbridge places from 35 applications in the measured period, a respectable figure for a state school. Medical school admissions likewise remain strong.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
54.4%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
61.6%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum structure reflects both the school's grammar school heritage and its commitment to breadth. All students follow a core of English, Mathematics, and the separate sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics). Beyond this, students choose from a broad range including traditional humanities (History, Geography, Classics, Ancient History, Latin), technology subjects (Computing, Electronics, Engineering), creative disciplines (Art, Drama, Film Studies, Music), and modern languages (Mandarin, French, German, Spanish, Italian).
The Mandarin Excellence Programme stands out as a distinctive feature. Funded by the Department for Education, this selective scheme admits 30 students from Year 7 to study eight hours of Mandarin weekly. The goal is fluency within a few years, and participants genuinely stand apart when applying to universities. Working with UCL Institute of Education and the British Council, Beths is among the first schools to offer this intensive programme in England.
At A-level, 30 different subjects are available, each taught over six periods per fortnight with 100-minute lessons in classrooms with specialist teachers. This allows genuine depth. A student taking Further Mathematics, for instance, genuinely deepens their mathematical thinking rather than simply covering additional topics. The curriculum reflects a traditional academic approach: close reading, essay writing, mathematical proof, and formal debate remain central to instruction.
Teaching quality appears strong. The Ofsted inspection noted clear structures and high expectations. Students seem engaged with their learning, and the pace of lessons observed was brisk without being pressurised. Class sizes in core subjects reach 28 in lower years but drop for selective A-level sets. Independent study is encouraged, and sixth formers have dedicated study space in the new centre opened in January 2025.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
FMS Inspection Score calculated by FindMySchool based on official inspection data.
Approximately 92% of Year 13 leavers progress to university. The 2023-24 data showed 70% of sixth form leavers went to university, with 1% to further education, 7% to apprenticeships, and 12% to employment. This reflects the breadth of ambition in the sixth form; not every student is pursuing the Russell Group path, and the school supports diverse post-secondary routes.
65% of university-bound leavers secured places at Russell Group or similarly selective institutions. This extends well beyond Oxbridge. Recent destinations include Imperial College, UCL, Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Warwick, alongside the ancient universities. Medical school admissions remain a notable pipeline, with 18 students securing places in 2024. The school provides specialist support for medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science applicants, plus targeted Oxbridge workshops from the start of sixth form.
The dedicated careers team provides personal statement support, UCAS guidance, and regular higher education information sessions. Work experience placements are arranged for all Year 12 students, providing practical workplace insight that enriches personal statements later.
Total Offers
8
Offer Success Rate: 22.9%
Cambridge
4
Offers
Oxford
4
Offers
Beths provides a genuinely broad extracurricular offer. This is particularly important for a selective grammar school, where the risk is always that the culture becomes narrowly academic. The school counters this through deliberate investment in activities.
Rugby and football remain the traditional strongholds, and the school's 1998 School Sports Award reflected these achievements. Current provision is extensive: teams compete at inter-house, regional, and national levels. Recent notable achievements include reaching the Rugby National Bowl final and the Football National Cup final. Basketball teams operate for all year groups, and summer term shifts focus to cricket, tennis, and athletics. Inter-house competitions occur throughout the year, and Sports Day at year-end involves the entire school.
Recreational provision matters equally. The school explicitly states that team training and recreational games for students "who enjoy socialising with their peers" both occur. This inclusivity signals that sport exists for engagement and health, not only for competitive glory. The floodlit facilities include pitches for football, rugby, and tennis, while sports halls provide space for basketball and indoor activities.
Music and drama command genuine institutional investment. The school's annual whole-school production involves hundreds of students in performances, costume design, lighting, and backstage work. Recent productions of The Addams Family and Oliver! demonstrated ambition and execution at a level rarely seen in state schools. Students provide the entire creative and technical team, not simply the performers.
Music provision reflects this ambition. The school maintains an Orchestra, Junior Band, Big Band, and Choir. An annual Music Showcase gives students a platform to perform. Individual music lessons are available, and the school notes particular strength in developing musicians who go on to conservatoire study or music university courses. The music department is described as well-equipped, and the curriculum includes ABRSM Practical and Theory pathways.
Drama facilities include a dedicated Drama Studio alongside teaching spaces. The curriculum offers both GCSE Drama (with performance and written analysis) and A-level Drama and Theatre Studies, taught by specialists.
The school's former Technology College specialism manifests in strong science and computing provision. Purpose-built science laboratories support the teaching of A-level Biology, Chemistry, and Physics separately. Computing reaches A-level, and Electronics is available as both GCSE and A-level.
Student-led societies extend learning. A STEM club operates for those wanting to pursue engineering, coding, or robotics. The school explicitly mentions robotics as an available activity, positioning it alongside more traditional clubs. This breadth, from chess and gardening to robotics and coding, suggests a school unafraid to serve diverse intellectual interests.
Debate club and the Newspaper club operate regularly. A Film club serves students interested in cinema analysis. The Lego club appeals to those interested in design and spatial problem-solving. An LGBTQ+ society provides community for students who identify as such. Guitar club and guitar teaching provide music pathways outside formal qualifications.
What stands out is the assumption that capable students will want to pursue multiple areas simultaneously. A student might compete in rugby, play cello in the orchestra, contribute to the newspaper, and serve as a prefect. The school structures time and expectations around this reality rather than treating activities as an afterthought to academics.
The Enrichment programme for sixth formers, called LEAP (Lead, Enrich, Act, Participate), includes mentoring of younger pupils, community placements in local primary schools, Duke of Edinburgh Award progression from Bronze through Gold, volunteering in local charities, and extended project qualifications. A week-long work experience placement in June allows students to test career aspirations in the real world.
Prefect positions and house captaincies are earned through application, providing visible leadership roles. Head Boy, Head Girl, Deputy Head Boy, Deputy Head Girl, Senior Prefects, and House Captains are appointed from these roles. Students award these posts "play a very prominent role in the day to day running of the school," suggesting that student voice genuinely influences school life.
Beths is one of four grammar schools in Bexley serving selective entry. All use the Bexley Selection Test, a standardised examination assessing English, Mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Registration for the 2025 test opened in May 2025 and closes 31 May 2025. The test itself occurs in September (9 September for Bexley primary pupils; 8-11 September for out-of-area candidates). Results are released mid-October, and applications occur through the common application form with an October deadline.
Around 30% of test-takers achieve the qualifying mark, making it genuinely competitive. Applications vastly outnumber places. In the measured period, over 1,000 applications competed for approximately 180 year 7 places. Oversubscription criteria prioritise looked-after children, students with siblings at the school, and then proximity. There is no formal catchment boundary, but distance remains a determining factor when qualified candidates exceed places.
Year 12 entry is selective but different from Year 7. Applicants must have achieved a minimum of seven full GCSE courses at grades 9-4, with English and Mathematics at grade 5 or above and an average grade 6 across the best seven subjects. Individual subject entry requirements apply (typically grade 6-7 in the chosen subject, or higher for subjects like Sciences and Mathematics). A-level subjects taught over 100-minute sessions assume readiness for independent learning.
External applicants from other schools can join sixth form if they meet these criteria. In 2024-25, sixth form entry applications closed 31 January 2026. Where oversubscribed, the criteria prioritise looked-after children, existing Beths students, and proximity.
Beths operates as an Academy with funding from the Department for Education. It is a non-selective free school (state-funded). There are no tuition fees. The school is located on Hartford Road in Old Bexley, near Bexley Station on the London/Dartford line via Sidcup. Public transport includes buses B12, 132, 229, 492, 601, and 669. The school houses approximately 1,664 students across years 7-13, with capacity for 1,740. Sixth form entry is explicitly open to girls, though the main school remains boys only.
Applications
1,015
Total received
Places Offered
192
Subscription Rate
5.3x
Apps per place
The school's most recent Ofsted inspection awarded Outstanding for Behaviour and Attitudes, reflecting strong pastoral culture. Every student is allocated to a tutor group associated with a house. Tutors are deliberately selected for expertise in UCAS guidance and reference-writing, emphasising that academic progression receives institutional support.
A dedicated team of four first aid-trained Assistant Heads of Year 12 and 13 focuses exclusively on sixth former wellbeing and support. These non-teaching staff provide mentoring on academic progress, personal statements, and university preparation. Assistant Heads conduct regular progress meetings with students falling behind academically and involve families in these conversations.
An independent professional counsellor is available to all students throughout the school week. A dedicated Student Services Team of six members provides daily support. Heads of Year oversee each year group, and a dedicated Assistant Headteacher oversees whole-year-group wellbeing.
The school reports particular emphasis on mental health and personal wellbeing, recognising the pressure inherent in competitive entry and academic ambition. This is reflected in explicit statements throughout documentation that wellbeing matters alongside achievement.
The school operates from 8:50am to 3:20pm for Year 7-11. Sixth formers have extended independence, with timetable periods dedicated to independent study alongside taught lessons. Breakfast club is not explicitly mentioned in available documentation, though wraparound care may be available via inquiry to the school.
School uniform applies to all students through Year 11. Sixth form dress code is less prescriptive, reflecting transition toward university life.
Contact the school directly for enquiries.
Selective Entry Culture. Beths operates within competitive grammar school context. The school itself does not recommend external tutoring for the 11-plus, yet parental practice suggests tutoring is near-universal. This creates a culture of preparation anxiety that begins in upper primary school. Families should consider whether this suits their child's temperament.
Boys Only to Year 11. While the sixth form is mixed, the main school is boys only. Girls join from outside schools at sixth form or do not attend. Families wanting mixed education throughout secondary should look elsewhere.
Academic Pace. This is an ambitious academic environment. Students arrive having passed a competitive test and come from families prioritising education. The peer group sets high standards. Students who struggle academically may find the culture pressure-filled rather than supportive, despite genuine pastoral provision.
Grammar School Intake. The selective intake means less socioeconomic diversity than neighbourhood comprehensives. The school explicitly has special classes for students with identified SEN needs, indicating commitment to inclusion, but the population as a whole skews toward families with cultural capital and resources.
Beths Grammar School delivers what it promises: strong academics, broad extracurricular opportunity, and genuine pastoral support within a selective environment. For families who prioritise academic excellence and can navigate competitive entry, the school offers exceptional value as a free state grammar school. The recent investment in facilities, including the new sixth form centre, signals institutional confidence. Ofsted's Outstanding rating for behaviour reflects real strength in student wellbeing and community.
Best suited to students who thrive academically, have passed the selective entrance test, and live within reasonable commuting distance of Bexley. The school suits ambitious families comfortable with selectivity and boys who respond well to structured academic challenge. The main reservation is whether the highly competitive culture genuinely nurtures creativity and intellectual curiosity beyond examination success, though the breadth of extracurricular provision and explicit pastoral focus suggest the school genuinely tries to do both.
Yes. Beths was rated Good by Ofsted in May 2022, with Outstanding grades for Behaviour and Attitudes. The school ranks 270th in England for GCSE results (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 6%. 40% of GCSE grades reached 8-9 in 2024, and 92% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, with 65% attending Russell Group or highly selective institutions.
For Year 7 entry, register for the Bexley Selection Test by 31 May (registration opens in May). The test occurs in September. Successful candidates apply through the common application form by the October deadline. For sixth form entry, candidates must achieve minimum seven GCSEs at grades 9-4 (including English and Maths at grade 5+) with an average grade 6 across best seven subjects. Individual subjects have entry requirements, typically grade 6 in the subject.
Beths is one of four grammar schools in Bexley. The Bexley Selection Test assesses English, Mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Around 30% of candidates achieve the qualifying mark. In recent years, over 1,000 applications competed for roughly 180 places, making entry highly competitive. The school does not recommend or provide external tutoring, though parental practice suggests tutoring is widespread.
Sixth form students study three A-level subjects from 30 available options (or four if including Further Maths). Each subject is taught for six periods per fortnight in 100-minute lessons. Students have dedicated independent study periods and access to the new Sixth Form Centre, opened January 2025, offering learning spaces and a food service area. Fourth-form students (Year 12) undertake a week-long work experience placement. The enrichment programme (LEAP) includes mentoring, community volunteering, Duke of Edinburgh awards, and extended projects. Sixth formers can apply for prestigious positions as Head Boy, Head Girl, or prefects.
The school's Mandarin Excellence Programme, funded by the Department for Education, offers intensive eight-hour-per-week Mandarin training to 30 Year 7 students selected by aptitude. In a few years, participants achieve fluency, setting them apart for university applications. The school also maintains a strong history in rugby and football (School Sports Award 1998), theatre productions, and music ensembles. The recent investment in a new sixth form centre reflects ongoing commitment to modern facilities.
Yes. Seven students secured Oxbridge places from 35 applications in the measured period. Across the sixth form, 65% of university-bound leavers attended Russell Group or highly selective universities including Imperial College, UCL, Durham, Edinburgh, and Bristol. The school provides specialist support for medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science applicants, with 18 students securing medical school places in 2024.
Get in touch with the school directly
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