About the school
Dr Challoner's Grammar School (DCGS), known as Challoner's, is a selective grammar school for boys aged 11 to 18 with a co-educational sixth form, located on Chesham Road in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, South East. With over 1,300 pupils, it is one of the top-performing state grammar schools in the country, consistently placing among the leading state schools for academic results and university progression.
The school was founded in 1624 under the will of Robert Chaloner, Rector of Amersham, and celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2024. It moved to its current site in Amersham-on-the-Hill in 1905, became one of the first Science Colleges in 2002, added Language College status in 2007, and gained academy status in 2011.
Dr Challoner's Grammar School is part of The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) consortium and uses the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) to select pupils for Year 7. With around 500 applicants for roughly 180 places each year, it is highly competitive, which makes early, well-structured preparation valuable.
School type
Boys' Grammar (Co-educational Sixth Form)
Exam date
Thursday, 10th September 2026 (for September 2027 entry)
Exam board
Buckinghamshire STT (GL Assessment)
Address
Chesham Road, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, HP6 5HA
Age range
11–18 (Years 7–13)
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Admissions information
The Dr Challoner's Grammar School entrance test is administered through the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) system. Here is everything you need to know about the admissions process and exam structure.
Dr Challoner's Grammar School is one of the 13 schools in The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) consortium, all of which use the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT). The exam board is GL Assessment and the test is administered by Buckinghamshire Council as part of its Coordinated Admissions Scheme. Entry is on the basis of academic ability.
The STT consists of two multiple-choice papers, each lasting approximately 45 to 60 minutes with a short break between them. One paper covers comprehension, technical English and verbal reasoning; the other covers maths, non-verbal reasoning and spatial reasoning. Scores are age-standardised and weighted 50% verbal and 25% each for numerical and non-verbal ability. For September 2027 entry the main test is on Thursday, 10th September 2026, with a practice test on Tuesday, 8th September 2026.
Children at state-funded Buckinghamshire primary schools are entered for the STT automatically. Families whose children attend a primary school outside Buckinghamshire must register online; for September 2027 entry, registration opens at 10am on 1st May 2026 and closes at 3pm on 2nd June 2026. Families must also submit their Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF), naming the school, by 31st October.
STT results are released to parents in October 2026, ahead of the 31st October application deadline, with allocations made on National Offer Day on 1st March 2027. A standardised score of 121 is the qualifying threshold for consideration; achieving it does not guarantee a place, as the school applies its oversubscription criteria where demand exceeds places.
Key admissions details
Dr Challoner's Grammar School has a Published Admission Number of around 180 places for Year 7, with over 1,300 pupils on roll across the school. The school typically receives around 500 applications each year, so a qualifying STT score combined with the school's admissions criteria determines who is offered a place.
Dr Challoner's Grammar School operates a catchment area covering Amersham, Chesham, Chalfont St Giles, Chalfont Common, Gerrards Cross, Great Missenden and Prestwood. Entry is based first on a qualifying STT score; where qualifying applicants exceed places, priority follows looked-after children, free school meals in catchment, siblings, catchment residence, and then straight-line distance from the school. Applicants wishing to be considered under catchment rules must complete the school's Supplementary Information Form (SIF).
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Dr Challoner's Grammar School was founded in 1624 under the will of Robert Chaloner, Rector of Amersham, and celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2024. It moved to its current Amersham-on-the-Hill site in 1905 and today educates over 1,300 boys aged 11 to 18, with a co-educational sixth form.
Dr Challoner's Grammar School has a Published Admission Number of around 180 places for Year 7. With around 500 applicants each year, demand is very high and the school is regularly oversubscribed, making thorough preparation for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test essential.
Dr Challoner's Grammar School uses the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. It consists of two multiple-choice papers covering comprehension and verbal reasoning in one and maths, non-verbal reasoning and spatial reasoning in the other, weighted 50% verbal and 25% each for numerical and non-verbal. The test is sat in September of Year 6.
Dr Challoner's Grammar School operates a catchment area covering Amersham, Chesham, the Chalfonts, Gerrards Cross, Great Missenden and Prestwood. Entry is based first on achieving the qualifying STT score, but where the school is oversubscribed, catchment and distance become deciding factors, so proximity matters.
Children at Buckinghamshire state primary schools are registered automatically. Families outside Buckinghamshire must register online; for September 2027 entry this opens at 10am on 1st May 2026 and closes at 3pm on 2nd June 2026. The Common Application Form, naming the school, must be submitted to your Local Authority by 31st October.
Yes. Dr Challoner's Grammar School offers a wide range of extracurricular activities including sport, music, drama, robotics and a renowned Model United Nations programme, alongside its Science and Language specialisms.
Yes, all our tuition is available both in-person at our Edgbaston, Birmingham centre and online via live video sessions. Online tuition gives families across Buckinghamshire and beyond access to our expert tutors without the need to travel. The quality and personalisation of sessions is identical in both formats.
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