Introduction
Dr Challoner’s Grammar School has been educating boys from Amersham and the surrounding area since 1624. It has grown to become one of the leading state grammar schools in the country, with 1300 pupils enrolled, including girls in the co-educational Sixth Form. The school obtained academy status in 2011.
The curriculum of Dr Challoner’s Grammar School is designed to provide an enjoyable and immersive learning experience. Students receive a comprehensive education in core subjects such as science, English, and mathematics, as well as develop their understanding of arts, humanities, and modern foreign languages.
Education at the school goes beyond the classroom, with a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities. Students can join cricket, hockey, or basketball teams or try their hand at drama or music clubs. Dr Challoner’s Grammar School also offers numerous teams, such as journalist and leadership teams or research groups.
The school’s ethos aims to nurture the growth of all its pupils and help them achieve their maximum potential. Dr Challoner’s Grammar School believes that excellence combined with integrity produces responsible young adults with exemplary habits who can contribute significantly to the development of the modern world. The core values of the school also include aspiration, kindness, and resilience.
The school’s outstanding work ethic regularly places it among the top 50 state schools in Britain. Its students achieve amazing results in exams, allowing them to continue their education at prestigious universities. Dr. Challoner’s Grammar School boasts many awards, such as the MIND Award, School of Character, and Best State Sporting School. Ofsted reports it to be an “Outstanding” school. [1] [2]
For a better look at the school and its practices, you can watch this video:
Dr Challoner’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Secondary Transfer Test Information 2026
Address: Chesham Rd, Amersham, HP6 5HA
County: Buckinghamshire
Admissions info: admin@challoners.com, 01494 787500
School type: Grammar school for boys
Number of places in Year 7: 180
Open event dates: Each term
Exam date: 10 September 2026
Pass mark: Aim for 75%+ in our practice tests. See below for more details.
Exam type / Board: Secondary Transfer Test, GL Assessment
Dr Challoner’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
Admission to Year 7 is determined by student performance in the 11 Plus Secondary Transfer Test. The exam is created by GL Assessment and administered by Buckinghamshire County Council as part of its Coordinated Admissions Scheme.
Dr Challoner’s Grammar School holds Open Days throughout the year, which include a presentation from the Head and a tour of the school campus. You and your child will also have the opportunity to meet staff members and current pupils.
As one of the UK’s top performing grammar schools, competition for 11 Plus entry to Dr Challoner’s Grammar is high. The school often receives more successful applications than there are available places, and in such cases, it uses the following oversubscription criteria, giving priority to:
- Looked After Children or previously Looked After Children
- Students who live within the school’s catchment area and qualify for Pupil Premium
- Students who live in the catchment area and have a brother who already attends the school
The full list of oversubscription criteria is available in the admissions policy, which can be accessed through this page.
Dr Challoner’s Grammar also operates a waiting list. Pupils who are added to the waiting list are ranked again in accordance with the school’s oversubscription criteria.
If your child doesn’t achieve the required score in the STT due to exceptional circumstances, you may apply for a Selection Review. Approved by the Local Authority, a panel will consider each individual case on its own merit.
For more details about Dr Challoner’s Grammar School’s admissions procedure, please reach out to the school directly. You can view its exact location on the map below:
How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to Dr Challoner’s Grammar School
If your child currently attends a state funded primary school in Buckinghamshire, they will be automatically registered to take the 11 Plus Secondary Transfer Test. If your child doesn’t attend a state funded primary school in the county, you need to apply for the test through the Local Authority (Buckinghamshire).
You will also be asked to complete and return the school’s Supplementary Information Form if you wish your son to be considered for admission based on the catchment area rules. For more details, please consult the school’s admissions policy.
It’s also important to inform your Local Authority about your child’s school preferences using the CAF form ahead of the October deadline.
Results for the Secondary Transfer Test are released within that month, with school place allocations determined in March.
Is Dr Challoner’s Grammar School part of a Consortium?
Dr Challoner’s Grammar School belongs to The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) Consortium, which is made up of a group of schools that use the same entrance exam and share a very similar admissions process.
Does Dr Challoner’s Grammar School have a catchment area?
Yes, there is a catchment area with priority based on location and distance from the school. The map can be found at the bottom of this page.
Dr Challoner’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) STT Exam Format
The exam board for the 11+ Test in Buckinghamshire is GL Assessment. The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test is split into two papers that test:
- Comprehension, technical English and Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Reasoning and Mathematics
Each test paper lasts for approximately 45 minutes, and all questions are multiple-choice. The 11+ Secondary Transfer Test is weighted as follows:
- Verbal Ability – 50%
- Non-Verbal Ability – 25%
- Numerical Ability – 25%
All questions are answered on a separate answer sheet, with each correct answer gaining one raw age-standardised mark.
Before taking the Secondary Transfer Test, students will have the opportunity to take a Practice Test. The Practice Test aims to give students the experience of taking a test under exam conditions and to help familiarise them with the layout of the 11+ STT.
How to Prepare for the Dr Challoner’s Grammar School Secondary Transfer Test?
To boost your son’s confidence in the lead-up to exam day, we strongly encourage the use of our 11+ practice tests. They help familiarise students with the structure and style of Dr Challoner’s Grammar School entrance exams, encompassing all possible question types.
EPP mock tests will also help you identify gaps within your son’s knowledge base that require further attention and assist you in crafting a customised study schedule for him. Adopting such a systematic approach to 11+ exam preparation alleviates unnecessary stress, making the process more enjoyable overall.
Administering our 11+ exam papers under timed conditions can help your child adapt to answering questions promptly under time pressure. This strategy will equip him with a distinct advantage over his peers.
Dr Challoner’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Pass Marks and Target Scores
The Dr Challoner’s Grammar School STT scores are standardised, taking into account applicants’ ages and ensuring that no child is disadvantaged. All candidates with a standardised score above 121 will qualify for a place.
Pupils who are able to score 75%+ consistently in our 11+ practice tests should be on track to pass the Dr Challoner’s Grammar School 11+ test.
Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the Dr Challoner’s Grammar School 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.
Dr Challoner’s Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) STT Practice Exam Papers
For Dr Challoner’s Grammar School’s 11+ exam, we would highly recommend the following practice resources.
The Buckinghamshire Pre-11+ Practice Tests for Year 4 and 5 students are designed to introduce the exam format in a less challenging manner than the actual Buckinghamshire 11+ Exam. They build confidence and provide a simpler yet accurate overview of what to expect, thus laying a solid foundation for tackling more demanding 11+ Practice Tests.
Practice Papers
The following practice tests are specifically designed to help your child prepare for the Bucks 11+ Exam. They provide excellent mock exam preparation, highlighting your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
Practice Papers
The following 11+ resources provide full preparation for the English section of the Bucks 11+ Exam.
Practice Papers
Video Masterclasses
10 Minutes Test
Video Masterclasses
The following 11+ resources extensively cover the Mathematics section of the Bucks 11+ Exam.
Practice Papers
Video Masterclasses
10 Minutes Test
Video Masterclasses
To help your child to master Verbal Reasoning skills in the lead-up to the Bucks 11+ Exam, we recommend the following resources.
Practice Papers
10 Minutes Test
To help your child to master Verbal Reasoning skills in the lead-up to the Bucks 11+ Exam, we recommend the following resources.
Video Masterclasses
The following resources will help boost your child’s Non-Verbal (NVR) and Spatial Reasoning (SR) abilities ahead of the Bucks 11+ Exam.
Practice Papers
Video Masterclasses
Video Masterclasses
11+ GL Non-Verbal Reasoning Mini Masterclass Bundle
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Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions have been included in Dr Challoner’s Grammar School 11+ past papers. The information provided about Dr Challoner’s Grammar School is believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of future changes. We advise you to contact the school directly if you are unsure of anything. School contact details are provided within the article.
Please note that Exam Papers Plus is an independent publisher of practice tests and resources, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dr Challoner’s Grammar School.