Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School Review 2026: Co-educational Excellence

Known affectionately as "Chis and Sid", this co-educational grammar school occupies a distinctive place in the Kent and Greater London education landscape. Unlike many of its single-sex neighbours, it offers a mixed education from age 11, fostering a social maturity that parents often cite as a key differentiator. Situated on a generous site near Lamorbey Park, the school combines the architectural dignity of its 1931 founding with a forward-looking, high-energy atmosphere.

With nearly seven applicants for every place, it is one of the most sought-after schools in the region. The academic pace is relentless, evidenced by a Progress 8 score of +0.82, indicating that students achieve almost a grade higher across all subjects than they would be expected to achieve elsewhere.

The first thing visitors notice is the colour. The distinctive purple blazers, worn with pride, mark students out clearly in the local area. The school motto, Lux et Honor (Light and Honour), is not merely decoration but a lived value, visible in the way students conduct themselves in the corridors.

Mr Nigel Walker has led the school since 2009, providing a period of stability that has allowed the school's ethos to settle and strengthen. His leadership is characterised by a focus on "helping the learners of today become the leaders of tomorrow", a phrase that permeates the school's literature and assemblies.

The buildings tell the story of the school's evolution. The original 1930s main block provides a sense of history, while modern additions like the Quentin Blake Building, named after the school's most famous alumnus who attended from 1943 to 1951, speak to its commitment to the creative arts. This is not a grammar school where the arts play second fiddle to STEM; the walls are lined with ambitious artwork, and the sound of music practice is a constant backdrop.

Academic outcomes are formidable. In 2024, students achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.82, placing the school in the top tier of state schools for value-added performance.

At GCSE, 73% of grades were 9-7 (A*-A), a figure that significantly outperforms the England average of 22%. Ranked 169th in England and 1st in Sidcup for GCSE outcomes, the school sits comfortably in the national high band, outperforming 96% of schools in England (top 4%).

A-level performance is similarly robust. In 2024, 73% of grades were A*-B. The school ranks 336th in England and 1st in Sidcup for A-level outcomes, placing it in the national strong band (top 12%). While the drop-off from the elite GCSE ranking is notable, results remain well above the England average, preparing students effectively for competitive university entry.

The curriculum is built on enquiry. Teachers, many of whom are subject specialists with deep academic passions, encourage students to question rather than simply absorb. The approach is rigorous; in the lower years, the focus is on building the "Chis and Sid Learner" attributes, which include resilience and resourcefulness.

Science is taught in separate disciplines from the start, supported by well-equipped laboratories. Computer Science has seen significant investment, with students engaging in robotics and coding projects that go beyond the syllabus.

The school operates a philosophy of "high challenge, low threat". Lessons move at a brisk pace, assuming a high level of prior attainment. For a student who thrives on intellectual stimulation, the environment is electrifying; for one who prefers to coast, it can feel exposing.

The path to university is well-trodden. In 2024, 73% of leavers progressed to university, with others taking up high-level apprenticeships (6%) or employment.

The most ambitious students target the very top. In 2024, 6 students secured places at Oxford and Cambridge, from a cohort of 24 applicants. This conversion rate reflects the school's realistic approach to Oxbridge preparation; students are supported intensively, but also guided towards other Russell Group institutions where they may thrive.

Entry is via the Bexley Selection Test, and competition is fierce. In 2024, the school received 1,327 applications for just 192 Year 7 places, resulting in a subscription rate of nearly 7 applicants per place.

The school is consistently oversubscribed. Parents must register their child for the test between May and June of Year 5, with the test taken in September of Year 6. Achieving the "selective standard" is necessary but not sufficient; places are allocated based on the highest scores.

Families should note that while the school is an Academy, it coordinates admissions closely with the London Borough of Bexley. There is no catchment area in the traditional sense, but in practice, the intense competition means that places often go to high scorers living within reasonable travel distance.

The House system, comprising Davies, Edlmann, Staff, Townshend, and Williams, is the engine of pastoral care. It creates smaller communities within the larger school, offering opportunities for leadership and competition. House drama, music, and sport competitions are fiercely contested, fostering a sense of belonging that transcends year groups.

Pastoral support is structured around form tutors and Heads of Year. The school is alert to the pressures of a high-performing grammar environment. A dedicated student support team creates a safety net for those who find the academic demands overwhelming, though resilience is a quality explicitly taught and expected.

Extracurricular life is a major pillar of the Chis and Sid experience. The school refuses to be an exam factory, insisting that students engage with the wider world.

Music and Arts

Music is central to the school's identity. The "Purple Symphony" orchestra and the Jazz Band perform regularly, both in school and at external venues. The choir is a staple of school celebrations. Drama productions are ambitious, often tackling complex texts that challenge the actors and audience alike.

Sport

Rugby and netball are the primary winter sports, played to a high standard with rigorous fixture lists against local grammar and independent schools. Cricket and athletics take over in the summer. The Jubilee Pavilion serves as a hub for match days, which are well-supported by parents.

Clubs and Societies

The list of clubs is extensive, ranging from the Debating Society, which competes nationally, to niche interests like Warhammer and Coding. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is popular, with large numbers completing Bronze and Silver awards, building the resilience that the school prizes.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Education is funded by the government.

Families are responsible for the cost of the uniform (including the distinctive purple blazer), sports kit, and optional music lessons. The school uses Pupil Premium funding to support eligible students with these costs, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent full participation in school life.

The school is located on Hurst Road in Sidcup, a short walk from Sidcup station, making it accessible for students commuting from across Bexley, Bromley, and Greenwich. A network of school buses serves the wider area.

The school day begins at 8:35am and finishes at 3:15pm, though the site remains busy well into the late afternoon with clubs and fixtures. Uniform standards are high; the purple blazer is expected to be worn correctly, and staff enforce this strictly.

The pressure cooker effect. This is a high-performing grammar school. The pace of learning is fast, and the expectation of excellence is constant. While the school supports wellbeing, children who struggle with pressure or who are not naturally academic self-starters may find the environment stressful.

Commute times. With no strict catchment radius, students travel from far afield. Parents should be realistic about the impact of a long daily commute on a child's ability to participate in after-school clubs and manage homework.

Co-educational dynamic. For many, the mixed environment is a major draw, offering a more natural social preparation for university and life. However, families seeking the specific developmental environment of a single-sex education will need to look at the neighbouring grammars.

Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School offers a premier academic education without the price tag. It combines the rigour of a traditional grammar with the social benefits of a co-educational setting. Best suited to bright, resilient children who will thrive on the energy of a busy, ambitious mixed school and who are ready to work hard for their success. The main challenge is securing a place.