Chesham Grammar School vs Dr Challoner's High School
Both are grammar schools in Buckinghamshire, 3.2 miles apart. Side-by-side on official DfE, Ofsted and council admissions data.
Side by side
| Chesham Grammar School | Dr Challoner's High School | |
|---|---|---|
| Phase | Secondary | Secondary |
| Gender | Mixed | Girls |
| Pupils on roll | 1,331 | 1,391 |
| Free school meals | 2.7% | 2.6% |
| Ofsted rating | Not judged | Outstanding |
| Attainment 8 — 2025/26 | 75.6 | 76.2 |
| 11+ test board | GL Assessment | GL Assessment |
| Admission system | pass/fail + catchment (passing the test is a gate; living in the catchment area determines priority over score) | pass/fail + catchment (passing the test is a gate; living in the catchment area determines priority over score) |
| Places offered — 202627 | 183 | 189 |
| First preferences per place — higher means more competition for a first-preference place | 1.69 | 1.6 |
Qualifying scores
Chesham Grammar School
121 (2026 entry)
Standardised score ≥ 121 qualifies for grammar school consideration. Qualifying does not guarantee a place; schools apply own oversubscription criteria after qualification.
Dr Challoner's High School
121 (2026 entry)
Standardised score ≥ 121 qualifies for grammar school consideration. Qualifying does not guarantee a place; schools apply own oversubscription criteria after qualification.
Who gets priority
Where a school is oversubscribed, these are the first criteria applied, in order. This is usually what decides an application.
Chesham Grammar School
- Looked after and previously looked after children
- Up to 6 places for Pupil Premium children in the catchment area scoring 110–120 (looked-after children first)
- Children in the catchment area who qualify for the Pupil Premium
- Siblings of children in Years 7–12 at the school
- Children of permanent staff employed for two years or more (or in a skill-shortage post)
- Children living in the catchment area
Source: school admissions policy.
Dr Challoner's High School
- Looked after, previously looked after and internationally adopted girls
- Girls on the Pupil or Service Premium living in the catchment area since 1 April of Year 5
- Up to 12 places for Pupil Premium or looked-after girls in the catchment area scoring at least 115 (up to 6 at 110–114 if unfilled)
- Daughters of staff employed for two years or more (or in a skill-shortage post)
- Girls living in the catchment area since 1 April of Year 5
- Sisters of girls on the roll
Source: school admissions policy.
Choosing between them
Chesham Grammar School is a mixed school and Dr Challoner's High School is a girls school, so for many families the starting point is which one can admit their child. The figures on this page are the published ones — they describe intakes and results, not what either school would be like for your child. The right choice depends on your family's own priorities and circumstances.
Other Buckinghamshire comparisons
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs Aylesbury High School
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs Beaconsfield High School
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs Burnham Grammar School
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs Chesham Grammar School
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs Dr Challoner's Grammar School
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs Dr Challoner's High School
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs John Hampden Grammar School
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs Royal Latin School
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