Chiltern Hills Academy
Chesham, HP5 2RG · Buckinghamshire · secondary school
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32nd of 36 secondary schools in Buckinghamshire we can score, 37 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 914 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.6/10 among them, against 1.7/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 28.6 · 13 | 30% | 0.39 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.45 · 18 | 25% | 0.46 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.9 · 24 | 10% | 0.24 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Chiltern Hills Academy overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. In 2024/25, 30.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 40.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.45 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.6 out of 10 among them, against 1.9 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh Award, participate in Water Sports, Ski, Netball, and Football, or take part in the Art & Photography Exhibition, Grease Production, Bugsy Malone Production, and Gym and Dance Show. Trips include a School Sports Tour and a School Ski trip.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,047 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,350. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8? How does the school integrate the Duke of Edinburgh Award into the weekly timetable?
What Ofsted said about Chiltern Hills Academy
Overview
Chiltern Hills Academy continues to be a good school, where leaders are determined that all pupils can ‘live life in all its fullness’. The inspection found that pupils are positive about the school, benefiting from high expectations for behaviour and a broad curriculum that supports both academic and personal aspirations.
Strengths
- Teachers are ‘knowledgeable and enthusiastic’, presenting information clearly and using consistent routines to create a ‘positive learning environment’.
- Staff ‘care deeply about pupils’ welfare’, fostering positive relationships and ensuring pupils feel safe and supported.
- Careers education is a strength, enhanced by ‘strong partnerships with businesses’ and work placements for older pupils.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive effective support, including targeted reading interventions and opportunities to work with sixth-form students.
- The extra-curricular programme is being reinstated, offering clubs, trips, and activities to develop leadership skills.
Areas to improve
- Not all teachers use assessment information well enough to adapt teaching, meaning some pupils do not make the progress they should; leaders must provide training to strengthen this expertise.
- The current personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) programme is not sequenced well enough; leaders must develop a ‘coherently and ambitiously sequenced PSHE curriculum’ with clearly identified content for each age group.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving clear training and knowing their responsibilities, while the experienced safeguarding team builds positive external partnerships to respond effectively to incidents.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 37.6 |
| 2024/25 | 40.3 |
| 2025/26 | 40.9 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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