Townley Grammar School

About Townley Grammar School

Townley Grammar School is clearly a popular choice among Bexley families, and the numbers back that up. For entry in 2025/26, the school received 917 applications for just 244 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 3.76. Of those applicants, 223 put Townley as their first preference, and 153 of those were offered a place. While the data doesn't include a specific parent recommendation percentage, the sheer volume of applications — nearly four for every spot — tells you a lot about its reputation locally. The school is a state-funded girls' grammar for ages 11 to 18, with headteacher Sarina Totty at the helm. It currently has 1670 pupils on roll, which is over its official capacity of 1550, further evidence of its draw. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, the school was rated Outstanding across every single category: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. That's a clean sweep, and it matches the Outstanding rating it received in its previous inspection in 2015.

Academically, Townley delivers results that sit well above the local average. Its Progress 8 score for 2023/24 is 0.66, which is significantly higher than the Bexley local authority average of 0.03 and is classified as 'Well above average' nationally. That places Townley 3rd out of 17 similar schools in Bexley, putting it in the top 25% locally. The Attainment 8 score is 76.2, and an impressive 96.8% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths (the basics 95 measure). The EBacc average point score is 6.88, with over 60% of pupils entered for the EBacc combination of subjects. At A-level, the picture is strong too. The average points per entry is 40.81, which equates to a grade B, and the best three A-levels average out at a B grade as well. The value-added score for sixth form is -0.07, which is classed as 'Average', meaning students generally achieve in line with expectations based on their prior attainment.

The school offers a broad range of facilities, including a theatre, music rooms, art studios, a sixth form centre, and a chapel, plus extensive sports provision with an astro turf, playing fields, and a gymnasium. Sports on offer include athletics, hockey, netball, cross country, football, rugby, basketball, badminton, and tennis. There's also a good selection of clubs such as choir, debate, gardening, eco club, science club, book club, drama, and Model UN. For families with children who have additional needs, Townley lists a wide range of SEND provisions, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, hearing and visual impairments, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder. With its strong academic outcomes and high demand for places, this school is best suited to academically able girls who are likely to thrive in a selective, high-achieving environment. Families should be prepared for a competitive admissions process, but for those who secure a place, the data suggests an excellent education from 11 through to 18.

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