Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School
113%
Capacity
1,517
Pupils
6.9x
Demand
About Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School
Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School is a heavily oversubscribed state secondary in Bexley, with 1,327 applications for just 192 places in the 2025/26 admissions round — an oversubscription ratio of nearly 7 to 1. The school currently holds 1,517 pupils against a capacity of 1,344, meaning it is running well above its official number. That level of demand makes sense when you look at the intake profile: just 2.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, compared with a national average that typically sits around 20-25% in secondary schools. This is a selective grammar school drawing from a wide area, and the first-preference figures tell a similar story — 272 families put it as their top choice, with 145 receiving offers. For parents considering whether their child will fit in, the data suggests a largely middle-class, academically driven cohort where competition for a place is fierce from the outset.
Academically, the school delivers results that place it firmly among the strongest in the country. Its Progress 8 score of 0.82 is rated 'well above average' and ranks first out of 16 schools in Bexley, where the local authority average Progress 8 is just 0.03. That means pupils here make nearly a full grade more progress per subject than the typical student nationally. Attainment 8 sits at 76, and 100% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, with 97.4% hitting the higher grade 5 threshold. The EBacc entry rate is 97.9%, and 75.8% of pupils entered for the EBacc achieved a grade 5 or above. At A-level, the average points per entry is 41.49, equivalent to a B grade, and 29.7% of entries were graded AAB or higher. The sixth form value-added score is -0.01, which is average, but the school's overall academic profile is exceptional for a state school.
The school offers a broad range of facilities including a swimming pool, playing fields, music rooms, art studios, and a dedicated sixth form centre. Sports provision covers hockey, netball, cricket, swimming, dance, and athletics, while extracurricular clubs include Model UN, Young Enterprise, choir, orchestra, and science club. The school's SEND register includes support for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, and hearing impairment, as well as social, emotional and mental health needs. With an Ofsted rating of Good and leadership and management judged Outstanding in its most recent inspection, this is a school that suits families who are confident their child will thrive in a selective, high-pressure academic environment. The nearest Outstanding-rated grammar is Bexley Grammar School, 2.3 km away, so there is local competition, but Chislehurst and Sidcup's oversubscription figures suggest it remains the first choice for many.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Hurst Road, Sidcup, Bexley, DA15 9AG |
| Headteacher | Nigel Walker |
| Local Authority | Bexley |
| Number of Pupils | 1,517 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 2.7% |
| School Capacity | 1,517 / 1,344 (113% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
14 Dec 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (14 Dec 2022): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 25 Jan 2014. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.82)
176th of 3,141
Nationally
73rd of 487
In London
1st of 16
In Bexley
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
45.0
'22/23
40.8
'23/24
41.5
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Where school leavers go
2022/2367%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 224 pupils).
Top-tier university progression
31%
Russell Group
35%
Top-third HE
1%
Oxford / Cambridge
Percentages of the whole cohort (not just HE-goers). Russell Group = 24 elite research universities. Top-third HE = top by mean UCAS tariff.
- University (HE)67%
- Employment18%
- Apprenticeship7%
- Not sustained5%
Sources: DfE 16-18 destination measures (broad bucket); DfE KS5 student destinations file (Russell Group / top-third HE / Oxbridge). Level 3 cohort. “Sustained” means the pupil was in education, apprenticeship or employment for 6 months in the year following completion.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed192
1,327
Extremely High Demand
Very competitive - significantly more applications than places
272 families put this school as their 1st choice (20% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Lower-disadvantage intake compared to the national average (25%).
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- White British51.5%
- Asian15.0%
- White (other)11.1%
- Mixed10.2%
- Black0.5%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Better than half of schools in England.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
13
Total schools
11
Oversubscribed
9
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Hurst Road, Sidcup
Bexley, DA15 9AG
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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