Dr Challoner's Grammar School
Amersham, HP6 5HA · Buckinghamshire · Grammar school
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1st 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 118 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 9.2/10 among them, against 9.9/10 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 98.9 · 99 | 30% | 2.97 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 1.18 · 99 | 25% | 2.48 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 76.2 · 99 | 10% | 0.99 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Dr Challoner's Grammar School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 96.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 73.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +1.18 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in December 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 8.1 out of 10 among them, against 9.8 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join Drama Clubs, Senior and Junior Musicals, and Summer Plays, supported by a Student Theatre Technicians Team. Sports include fencing, climbing, boxing, and track cycling. Trips range from trekking in Morocco to canoeing in France.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,384 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,356. 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
What support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How are places allocated for the next entry year?
What Ofsted said about Dr Challoner's Grammar School
Overview
This ungraded inspection confirms that Dr Challoner’s Grammar School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The school is described as a “vibrant, happy and inclusive” environment where “academic rigour and personal development are equally important.” Pupils achieve highly in examinations and develop into “confident and skilful learners,” supported by staff who firmly believe “all pupils can succeed and flourish.”
Strengths
- The curriculum is “broad” with “important knowledge... carefully sequenced,” enabling pupils to “routinely make connections” with the wider world.
- Staff possess “very strong subject knowledge” and “adapt teaching effectively” based on detailed information about individual pupil needs.
- Pupils demonstrate “excellent attitudes to learning” and are “skilful and enthusiastic participants in discussions” on complex issues.
- Personal development is a “high priority,” with a “very thoughtfully planned” careers programme and personal development curriculum.
- Relationships are excellent, with pupils feeling “cared for well” and having “adults they trust” to discuss problems with.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement, noting instead a “restless desire to get better” and that the school is “not complacent.”
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 77.5 |
| 2024/25 | 73.9 |
| 2025/26 | 76.2 |
| 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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