Bexley Grammar School Review 2026: Academic Excellence Meets Genuine Community

When Sir Edward Heath, the local Member of Parliament, opened Bexley Grammar School in 1955, he created what would become one of London's most accomplished selective academies. Nearly 70 years later, the school occupies a 20-acre campus bordering Danson Park where modern buildings surround an internal courtyard, and the fields extend into adjacent parkland across three full-sized football pitches and two rugby fields. Beyond the gates, visitors immediately notice the atmosphere: genuine warmth rather than pressure, purposeful movement without frenzy. The school ranks 208th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 5%, and achieved Outstanding across all categories in its 2022 Ofsted inspection. With 1,502 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, Bexley Grammar balances academic ambition with individual attention. The school's Latin motto, PRAESTANTIAE STUDERE (Strive for Excellence), captures an ethos that values the pursuit of goals as much as their achievement.

Bexley Grammar School under Headteacher Hugh Gilmore, who arrived in April 2023, continues a legacy established by his predecessor Stephen Elphick, who served nine years in the role. The first words visitors encounter on the school website are deliberate: "built upon strong relationships, high expectations and a caring environment." This is not marketing language but a genuine descriptor of what inspectors found. The 2022 Ofsted team noted in particular the warmth evident in school corridors, the exemplary behaviour and attitudes of students, and their eagerness to learn. Students describe a school where peers are "generally friendly and kind to each other," where staff invest significant time in individual development, and where the older students naturally lead younger cohorts through positive example.

The school functions through a house system that extends well beyond administrative convenience. Six houses, named after prominent former staff members, drive much of the extracurricular life of the school. These are genuinely competitive but purposefully collaborative, running comprehensive calendars of events spanning netball, dance, football, music, cookery, and chess. The annual House Showcase brings together drama, dance, and music offerings to celebrate the year and announce the House Cup winner. It is not unusual to find dozens of students rehearsing after school in the Hall, Theatre, or classrooms preparing for house competitions. This structure transforms participation from an optional extra into part of the school's identity.

The physical environment reflects decades of thoughtful expansion. The original buildings form a courtyard, with specialised facilities added over time: the Heath Building (completed in 2000), the Music Building, a dedicated SEN block, and most recently a 2017 extension housing a Theatre and sixth form study area. Modern science laboratories feature interactive whiteboards and networked software. The dining hall operates through a house-based system, and the sixth form benefits from dedicated computer suites, air-conditioned study rooms, and a common room with refreshment facilities.

GCSE Performance

Bexley Grammar School ranks 208th in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking), positioning it in the elite tier at the top 5% of schools. The school achieved a combined A* to A (grades 9-7) percentage of 69% across the cohort, well above the England average of 54%. The Attainment 8 score of 74.7 significantly exceeds the England average of 46%, indicating strong performance across the full range of subjects.

The English Baccalaureate represents a significant strength: 90% of pupils achieved grades 5 or above in the EBacc, substantially above the national participation rate. The average EBacc points score of 7.35 far exceeds the England average of 4.08. This breadth, students studying English, mathematics, sciences, and a language, reflects the school's commitment to a comprehensive academic foundation.

Progress 8 figures of +0.49 indicate that students make above-average progress from their starting points, confirming that the high outcomes are not solely the product of selective entry but reflect genuine school-added value.

A-Level and IB Performance

The sixth form delivered exceptional results, with 82% of A-level grades at A*-B, well above the England average of 47%. The school ranks 267th in England for A-level provision (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 10%. The distribution of A* at 13%, A at 32%, and B at 37% shows particular strength in highest grades.

What distinguishes Bexley Grammar's sixth form from most schools is its commitment to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. In 2017, the school transitioned to an exclusively IB curriculum for sixth form, a move driven by specialist language status and alignment with international-mindedness values. This makes Bexley Grammar a rare fully IB sixth form in southeast London. Over 90% of IB students achieve success in the Diploma examination, and 79% of leavers secure their first-choice university destination in their IB results (mid-July), ahead of the traditional August deadline.

The school's curriculum is deliberately ambitious. At Key Stage 3, all students study the full range of courses from core subjects to Latin, Music, and Drama, allowing every student to express themselves in areas of particular strength. At the end of Year 8, the Y7 Diploma provides a holistic assessment outcome and prepares students for the IB style of evaluation to come. This early engagement with diverse subjects and assessment methods sets a distinctive tone.

At Key Stage 4, students study a strong diet: two languages, three sciences, English, mathematics, and a range of optional subjects. All students work towards the English Baccalaureate by taking History or Geography. Music, Drama, Art, and Design Technology remain available as choices, catering for students with diverse skills and interests.

Teaching is structured around clear frameworks with strong subject knowledge. The school holds Prince's Teaching Institute accreditation in six subjects (English, Geography, History, Modern Languages, Music, and Science), reflecting external validation of teaching quality. The school was designated a specialist Language College in 2002, followed by specialist Mathematics and Science status in 2008. These designations have brought sustained funding for curriculum development and specialist staffing in these areas, though the school offers a full, balanced curriculum to all pupils.

University Destinations and Oxbridge

Bexley Grammar School boasts an enviable record for university progression. In the most recent cohort measured, 80% of students progressed to university, with 5% pursuing apprenticeships and 10% entering employment. This reflects a school genuinely serving all students' post-18 pathways, not solely pushing toward higher education.

The Oxbridge record is particularly strong. The school received 28 applications to Oxford and Cambridge combined, resulting in 4 acceptances. This places the school in the top tier in England for Oxbridge success at state grammar schools. The acceptance rate of 14% substantially exceeds national norms, reflecting the quality of applications and the school's capacity to prepare students for the most competitive entry process in the English university system.

Beyond Oxbridge, the school maintains strong links with Russell Group universities. Alumni progress to Imperial College London, Oxford University, Edinburgh, Durham, and other leading institutions. The Sixth Form Careers and Post-18 team actively supports university applications through dedicated mentoring and interview preparation, particularly for students aiming toward competitive courses in medicine, law, and engineering.

The breadth of extracurricular provision at Bexley Grammar is one of its defining features. The school operates over 40 active clubs spanning academic, cultural, sporting, and leadership domains. This is not a generic offering; the school funds specific, named activities that reflect genuine student interest and staff expertise.

Music: A Defining Strength

Music programmes extend from whole-school orchestral experiences to specialist ensembles. The Symphony Orchestra provides a flagship experience, while specialist ensembles include the Samba Group, which brings Caribbean rhythms and collaborative energy to school events. The school operates dedicated music rooms equipped with keyboards, headphones, and computers. The Music Building, constructed as part of the school's expansion, provides specialist teaching spaces. Students at all levels access instrumental tuition, and ensemble participation is encouraged from Year 7 onwards. The music department explicitly promotes inclusion: ensemble participation is celebrated, and pathways exist for both excellence and broad engagement. Major annual music events fill the School Hall, a purpose-built venue for concerts and productions.

Drama and Theatre

The school runs major annual drama productions of near West End quality. A 2017 Theatre extension provides dedicated facilities with technical capabilities for lighting, sound, and set design. The dramatic arts are integral to house competitions, with house drama events culminating in the annual House Showcase. Beyond formal productions, Drama as a subject engages students in performance and character development. The environment supports both aspiring performers and technically skilled students interested in stagecraft, design, and production.

STEM and Innovation

The school's STEAM (STEM plus Arts) provision demonstrates integration of technical and creative thinking. At Key Stage 3, extracurricular clubs range from Chemistry Club and Robotics to Coding and Skateboard-Making projects. Students in Key Stage 4 access the Engineering Club, where independent project work has led to successful Arkwright Scholarship awards in four consecutive years. By the Sixth Form, students run their own clubs with minimal staff input, reflecting their advanced capabilities.

The Medicine Society and Senior Science Society operate at sixth form level, meeting regularly for student-led discussions of medical ethics, case studies, and university preparation. Sixth form students also mentor younger peers through science leadership roles and deliver science demonstrations in local primary schools. The school partners with the Princes Teaching Institute, The Royal Institution, The Royal Society, and university partners including Glasgow's Quantum Physics Department to bring external expertise into school. STEM Power Day and House STEM Competitions engage the entire school, with industry specialists running workshops, judging competitions, and delivering career talks.

Recent notable outcomes include students advancing to competitive STEM university places. The 2021 cohort saw 27 students pursuing biology-related courses (including 6 studying medicine) and 15 entering physics or engineering programmes.

Sports: Competitive Success with Broader Access

Sports facilities span 14 acres of playing fields and include two full-sized rugby pitches, three football pitches, two cricket pitches, seven tennis courts, and five netball courts. Indoor provision includes a full-sized sports hall with cricket nets and a bouldering wall, a gymnasium, and a fitness suite. These facilities support both competitive teams and broad participation.

The Year 10 Football team recently achieved back-to-back Kent Cup Finals, the first achievement of this kind in over 20 years, demonstrating sustained excellence in a flagship sport. Rugby and netball teams are described as very successful, with recent floodlight installation for netball courts and extended weight training facilities for senior rugby squads. House competitions drive cross-age participation in team sports, ensuring that students of varying abilities engage with physical activity.

Leadership Development

The school explicitly develops compassionate leadership. The Student Council, Academic Council, Environmental Action Group, Peer Mentors (who receive formal training and recognition), and Prefects provide structured pathways for student agency. Sixth Form House Captains hold positions of considerable responsibility, overseeing house activities and competitions. These roles are highly valued, reflecting the school's emphasis on developing young people equipped to lead in their lives and communities.

Additional Opportunities

Young Enterprise competitions engage Year 12 students annually, developing teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. Duke of Edinburgh awards run through the school, providing structured outdoor and personal development experiences. Language exchange opportunities connect the school's Languages specialism to real international experiences. The school organises enrichment trips spanning theatre lectures, visits to leading academics, and international travel experiences.

The Afro-Caribbean Society and Art and Rocket Clubs represent specific communities of interest within the broader school body.

Bexley Grammar School is a selective state academy with highly competitive admissions. Entry at Year 7 requires passing the Bexley Selection Test, a two-paper examination (each 60 minutes) covering verbal skills, English comprehension, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. The test is sat in September by Year 6 pupils and uses the GL Assessment format shared across Bexley's four grammar schools.

In 2024, approximately 1,470 applications competed for 212 places, a subscription ratio of 6.93 applicants per place. This demand reflects the school's reputation: for families within the catchment area, Bexley Grammar is the most sought-after option locally. The top 180 scorers in the selection test are guaranteed a place, followed by application of distance criteria for remaining applicants. The school notes that approximately 30% of children sitting the Bexley Selection Test achieve marks high enough for consideration at any Bexley grammar school.

Admission criteria prioritise looked-after and previously looked-after children first, followed by the highest test scorers, then siblings of current pupils, then children of permanent staff employed for two or more years, and finally proximity to the school. Distance is measured in a straight line from the home to the middle gate entrance of Bexley Grammar School. Test scores serve as tie-breaker when distances are identical.

External entry to the Sixth Form is possible, with approximately 50-100 external students joining annually. Entry requirements for external candidates match those for internal students progressing from Year 11, typically requiring strong GCSE results and alignment with IB curriculum demands.

The 2022 Ofsted inspection identified Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development as Outstanding. This reflects not simply compliance but genuine engagement: students are eager to learn, low-level disruption is very rare, and pupils are keen to participate. The school explicitly develops compassion and emotional maturity as core values.

Dedicated support structures include the SEND team providing tailored provision for students requiring additional learning support, school counsellors offering emotional and wellbeing support, and house leaders providing pastoral oversight and mentoring. The weekly newsletter and detailed progress reports maintain parent communication and engagement.

The school's inclusive approach extends to students from diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. The school community reflects significant diversity, with 66% of pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds, substantially exceeding the local average. This diversity is presented as a strength: the school explicitly celebrates and educates for understanding of different cultures, traditions, and perspectives.

School hours run 8:50am to 3:20pm. The site occupies 20 acres at Danson Lane, Welling, within walking distance of Welling town centre and near Danson Park. Public transport links connect to central London, and ample grounds provide space for outdoor activities.

The sixth form offers dedicated facilities including two computer suites (one air-conditioned), study rooms, a common room with dining and refreshment facilities, and adjacent teaching spaces. Music practice rooms are available for instrumental study.

The school operates through a house-based pastoral structure and conducts regular PSHE workshops involving parents. The Parents' Association is active and welcoming, supporting school events and community building.

The school houses a dedicated SEN block and employs specialist staff to support students with additional needs. The school maintains a commitment to accessibility and inclusion, though the selective nature of entry means that the cohort is academically capable. Students with specific learning needs or neurodivergence who have passed the 11-plus entrance test are supported within mainstream classes through targeted provision.

Competitive Entry. Only approximately 30% of Bexley children sitting the selection test achieve marks high enough for grammar school consideration. Admission is highly selective. Families should realistically assess their child's verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities against expected performance distributions. The top 180 test scorers gain automatic places; beyond this threshold, distance from the school becomes the deciding factor.

Intense Peer Group. All students have demonstrated academic ability in a timed, high-pressure assessment at age 11. For children who have always been among the highest performers in their primary school, the transition to a cohort where everyone was "top of primary" requires psychological adjustment. Some thrive in this intellectually homogeneous environment; others find the pressure intense. Pastoral support exists, but the fundamental peer dynamic differs from a mixed-ability secondary comprehensive.

Selective Grammar Culture. The school's excellence attracts families with high academic aspirations. While the school explicitly caters for students of varied talents and interests beyond academics (through music, drama, sports, and leadership opportunities), the underlying institutional culture remains academically focused. Students considering humanities and creative pathways will find excellent opportunities; students seeking a non-academic environment should consider alternatives.

IB Commitment at Sixth Form. Since 2017, the sixth form offers exclusively the International Baccalaureate Diploma. This is a major strength for university-bound students and those valuing international perspectives, but a potential limitation for students seeking traditional A-levels or vocational pathways. External sixth form students entering must commit to the IB curriculum.

Distance and Catchment. While there is no formal catchment area, distance from the school gate becomes a tiebreaker once test scores are accounted for. Families living more than a mile away face real disadvantage in the admissions process. The last distance offered data is not published, but the tight subscription ratio suggests significant geographic concentration of successful applicants.

Bexley Grammar School delivers academic excellence within a school community that explicitly values compassion, resilience, and collaborative learning. The GCSE outcomes rank in the top 5% in England, the Ofsted rating is Outstanding across all categories, and the Sixth Form's exclusive IB provision creates genuine international-mindedness alongside academic rigour. The school successfully balances competitive academic culture with genuine breadth: the samba group sits alongside the symphony orchestra, skateboard-making alongside robotics, drama competitions alongside rugby fixtures. The house system creates a sense of belonging and healthy competition that extends beyond pure academics.

Best suited to families seeking selective academic education for children who have demonstrated strong verbal and mathematical reasoning, particularly those valuing international perspectives (through the IB) and breadth of opportunity beyond traditional academics. The main challenge is securing a place; once admitted, the educational experience is comprehensive, ambitious, and genuinely supportive of individual development. For families prioritising academic selectivity, pastoral care, and diverse co-curricular opportunity, Bexley Grammar School stands among the strongest options available within the state sector.