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Bexley Grammar School

United Kingdom, London

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 11 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1464
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, IB (DP)
Taught languages French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin, Latin
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Bexley Grammar School is a co-educational academy on a 20-acre site beside Danson Park in Welling, Kent. It serves pupils aged 11 to 18 and offers a British curriculum through Year 11, with GCSEs including the Ebacc. The Sixth Form follows the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, with a personalised plan that covers Mathematics, English, a language, a science, two other subjects and the CAS core. The IB pathway is central to university destinations and degree apprenticeships. The campus features 12 science labs, multiple computing labs, Design Technology and Art workshops, a refurbished library, and dedicated spaces for music, drama and film production. Outdoor facilities include two rugby pitches, three football pitches, two cricket pitches, seven tennis courts and five netball courts; indoor facilities comprise a full sports hall, a gym and a bouldering wall. The school runs more than 40 clubs, and has strong activity in the arts, sport and community leadership.

Danson Lane, Welling, Kent, DA16 2BL

The Essentials

Bexley Grammar School has 1,464 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
The school is located at Danson Lane, Welling, Kent DA16 2BL. It is in the London Borough of Bexley. Getting Here includes a Plan Your Route travel tool to help plan transport.

Stages
Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 provision plus a Sixth Form offering the International Baccalaureate.

Type
The school is a co-educational academy.

Additional learning support
SEND provides Special Educational Needs and Disability support; SENCO is Ms S. Brand.

Country affiliation
England.

School day structure
The school day begins at 8.30 am. There are two lunch breaks: 12.35 pm to 1.25 pm for Years 7–9 and 12, and 1.25 pm to 2.15 pm for Years 10–13. Departures are at 3.05 pm for Years 7–9 and 3.10 pm for Years 10–13, giving a total of 32.5 hours per week.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform is compulsory at Bexley Grammar School. The official outfitter is Caseys (240 Blackfen Road, Sidcup). The uniform includes a navy blazer with the House badge, a light blue shirt or blouse with a navy tie, a mid/dark grey skirt or trousers, plain black shoes and a navy jumper optional to wear with the blazer; PE kit is worn for physical education.

Food Options
Food is served in the school canteen during breakfast, morning break and lunch. apetito provides meals designed to meet government guidelines. Options include hot meals, salads, wraps, sandwiches, fruit and drinks.

House System
Six Houses exist: Collins (Red), Johnson (Blue), Kirkman (Yellow), Prothero (Green), Mabbs (Purple) and Wellman (Orange). Forms are allocated to a House and badges are colour-coded to show each pupil's House; each House has a Head of House and seven House Captains (two senior and five form captains). The House system runs annual competitions across sports, the arts and other activities, with House time on Wednesdays.

Governance and Ownership
Bexley Grammar School is a single academy trust and is not part of a federation. Its Governors are Members and Trustees, with a Trust comprising up to five Members and up to fourteen Trustees (including Parent Trustees and Staff Trustees) and the Headteacher as part of the governance structure. The Governors operate via four Committees—Curriculum and Pupil Progress, Staffing and Pupil Welfare, Finance and Resources, and Audit and Risk—and day-to-day management is carried out by the Headteacher and Senior Management Team.
Fees
Application fees
- There is no application fee to apply for entry to Bexley Grammar School; admission procedures are set by the school's published admissions arrangements and no payment is required to submit an application.

Tuition fees by year group (term / year)
- Bexley Grammar School is a state-funded academy grammar school; there are no tuition fees for Year 7 through Year 13. Education provided wholly or mainly during school hours is free to registered pupils.

Billing schedule and payment terms (for chargeable items)
- There is no regular tuition invoice schedule because the school does not charge tuition. Optional or exceptional charges (for example, residential trip board & lodging, individual music tuition, some extracurricular activities or specific equipment) are raised as required for the activity and are collected on an activity-by-activity basis. Voluntary contributions for school trips or materials are requested when an activity is arranged; contributions are genuinely voluntary and refusal to contribute does not affect a pupil's treatment, though an activity may be cancelled if insufficient voluntary funding is available.
- The School Fund requests an annual voluntary contribution of £40 per family; that contribution is requested once per year and payments are made via the school's standard payment system.

Boarding fees (if applicable)
- The school does not operate as a boarding school; there are no ongoing boarding fees. Charges for board and lodging may be raised only for specific residential visits and trips when board and lodging apply. Remission arrangements for residential visit charges are available for eligible families (see Remissions).

Other costs and expected items of expenditure
- Uniform: A compulsory school uniform is required. The school's official outfitter is Caseys (240 Blackfen Road, Sidcup; telephone 020 8850 8645). Certain items (for example, house badges, some PE items and specific branded items) are available only from the official supplier; other standard items may be purchased from mainstream retailers. No uniform prices are published by the school. Parents are asked to mark all items with the pupil's name.
- Music tuition: Individual or small-group instrumental/vocal tuition is chargeable unless it is provided as part of a syllabus for a prescribed public examination or required by the National Curriculum.
- School meals / canteen: A school meal deal is offered (example meal-deal pricing referenced at £3 for a sandwich + snack + drink in school communications); canteen purchases are managed through the school's cashless payments system. Exact daily/term meal charges vary according to choices taken.
- Trips and visits: Charges are applied for board & lodging on residential visits and for optional trips or activities that take place outside normal curriculum hours. Trip charges are notified at the time the trip is organised. Residual trip funds under the school's specified threshold are retained for cohort activities rather than being returned as cash refunds.
- Examination charges: The school may raise charges for certain examination entries or re-sits where the student has not been prepared for the re-sit by the school, or where a student fails to attend an exam or to submit required coursework.
- Occasional subject-specific items: The school may raise occasional charges for subject-specific equipment procured in bulk (for example, graphical calculators or other consumable materials).
- School Fund items: The School Fund helps pay for planners, subsidises some visits, funds House events and prizes, and supports co-curricular activities; contributions are voluntary and requested annually (suggested £40 per family).

Refund information and remissions
- Residual funds from trips: If residual funds remain after a trip, amounts below the school's published threshold per student are not refunded in cash; instead they are used for post-event activities for that cohort at the trip leader's discretion.
- Remissions for eligible families: The school provides full remission of certain charges for parents/carers receiving specified means-tested benefits (including income support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, Pension Credit) and may remit the cost of board & lodging for residential visits and the cost of individual instrumental music tuition for families who meet the criteria.
- Voluntary contributions are not refundable if the school has already incurred costs for an event that subsequently does not go ahead for reasons outside the school's control; specific refund arrangements for each chargeable activity are set out when parents are asked to pay.

Fee payment options and typical payment route
- The school's primary payments system for school-managed charges, lunch accounts and the School Fund is ParentPay; parents are asked to make payments for school-managed items through that system. The school uses ParentPay for canteen top-ups, event payments and voluntary contributions.
- Branded uniform and supplier-specific purchases are handled through the official outfitter (Caseys) or other retailers and are paid to the supplier using the supplier's accepted payment methods.

Summary (practical points for parents)
- There are no application or tuition fees for Years 7–13. Optional charges apply only for clearly specified activities (residential visits, individual music tuition, some extracurricular activities, certain equipment and exam re-sits/entries in specified circumstances). Voluntary contributions (including the School Fund suggested contribution of £40 per family) are collected annually; most school-managed payments are collected via ParentPay. Remission arrangements exist for eligible families and some residual trip-fund rules apply.
Academics

Bexley Grammar School teaches British Curriculum, IB (DP) for students aged 11 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers a full curriculum from Year 7 to Sixth Form. In Year 7, students study Mathematics, English, Science, Geography, History, RS, Computing, Design Technology, Art, Drama, Music, and Physical Education, with Latin and a choice between French or German and PSHCE. In Year 8, a second modern foreign language is chosen from French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese and Japanese. Year 9 focuses on depth of study and preparation for GCSE. Years 10 and 11 take GCSEs in Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, two language subjects and a Humanity subject, with two further option subjects; all students are entered for the Ebacc. The Sixth Form follows the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme with a personalised programme including Mathematics, English, a language, a science, two other subjects and a core of knowledge, creativity, action and service. The IB is central to the school's college-ready outcomes and the school highlights a strong record of university and degree-level apprenticeship destinations.

Exam Results
GCSE outcomes for 2022 include Attainment 8 of 76.8, 100% entered Ebacc, 97% achieved Ebacc, 99% achieved 5+ in English and Mathematics, 75% achieved 9-7 grades and 98% achieved 9-5. KS5 (IB) results show 83% of grades were 7-5 and 48% 7-6, with an average point score per subject of 5.4. Destinations for 2022 include 6 Oxbridge places, 55% of students gaining places at Russell Group universities, and graduates gaining places at 20 of 24 Russell Group universities, with degree apprenticeships at employers such as GSK, BA and Deloitte.

Higher Education Progression
The majority of Bexley Grammar School students go on to higher education. In 2024, 111 students secured places at Russell Group institutions (about 57% of the 196 university places). Students receive extensive guidance from the Careers and Higher Education Adviser, with input from tutors and the sixth form leadership; Year 12 onward includes university research, visits, and UCAS guidance and events to support applications.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Bexley Grammar School places the wellbeing of students at the core of its approach to education. The wellbeing framework emphasises strong, supportive relationships between staff and pupils. The pastoral system is led by Directors of Studies who oversee welfare across year groups and work with Senior Academic Mentors and Form Tutors as the core of the pastoral team. A formal peer-mentoring scheme enables Sixth Form students to support younger pupils and discuss concerns. The school focuses on developing students' character, resilience and independence, with a culture where asking for help is encouraged. The Wellbeing Vision commits to prioritising physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing for all members of the school community.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Bexley Grammar School provides inclusive education for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. All teachers are responsible for meeting SEND needs through quality-first teaching and differentiation. The SENDCo coordinates provision, maintains an accurate SEND register, liaises with parents, teachers and external professionals, and oversees reasonable adjustments and EHCP processes. The school uses a graduated approach to SEND and offers SEND Support that may be additional or different from universal provision, with progress monitored and reviewed. Pupils with EHCPs may have annual reviews and additional support; Parents are involved in decisions and external agencies may be consulted as needed. The policy recognises that some pupils have first languages other than English and may require language support, though this does not automatically indicate SEND unless accompanied by a learning difficulty.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Approximately 20% of the student body speak English as an additional language. The Language Policy notes that a number of pupils have a first language other than English and may require extra help; They are not automatically considered to have SEND unless they also have a learning difficulty.

Mental Wellbeing
Bexley Grammar School places mental health and emotional wellbeing at the heart of its student development. The Vision Statement commits to prioritising physical and mental health and to meeting students' needs inside and outside the classroom. The pastoral framework involves Directors of Studies, Senior Academic Mentors and Form Tutors, with a formal peer-mentoring scheme that supports younger students. The Wellbeing Hub and Wellbeing Wall provide ongoing wellbeing resources, and Wellbeing newsletters are published for parents and pupils. The school runs mental health awareness activities such as Time to Talk Day and provides external support resources for wellbeing and mental health.

Safeguarding
Bexley Grammar School has a safeguarding policy with a designated safeguarding lead (Mr S. Auckland) and deputy leads, and safeguarding is framed as everyone's responsibility. The school follows London Child Protection Procedures and Keeping Children Safe in Education, with procedures for early help and multi-agency involvement when needed. It establishes a secure environment where students are encouraged to talk and to seek help, and it integrates safeguarding within the PSHE curriculum. The policy emphasises robust recruitment, staff training, and appropriate record-keeping, and it recognises Contextual Safeguarding and the need to work with local authorities and safeguarding partners. In cases of concern, staff are instructed to report to the DSL, and the school maintains clear lines of communication with Children's Social Care and other agencies to protect pupils.
Parent Experience

History
The school began its journey in 1955 on a site in Danson Park earmarked for the school, with the first intake that year. The Platinum Jubilee was celebrated in 2025.

Community
We are extremely proud of our community and the warmth of relationships between students, staff and parents. The school maintains strong links with Alumni, and its history and community are evolving. Within the school, there are several societies, including the Afro-Caribbean Society, the Balkans and Eastern European Society, the South-East Asian Society, the Law Society, EmpowHer and STEM Society, and students are encouraged to start new ones. The range of community groups includes the Parents' Association and a strong bond with Alumni.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parents' Association is a lively, friendly group that arranges opportunities for parents and students to socialise and raise funds for the school. It runs activities such as Easyfundraising, the BGSPA Lotto, Quiz Nights, and the Annual Summer Fayre, and provides refreshments for school plays and concerts. Funds have supported items like iPads, science equipment, a library, outdoor improvements and other resources. Contact: Pamela Campbell, Chair, bgspa@bexleygs.co.uk.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school sits on a 20-acre site bordering Danson Park, with 14 acres of playing fields. Outdoor sports facilities include 2 full-sized rugby pitches, 3 full-sized football pitches, 2 cricket pitches, 7 tennis courts and 5 netball courts. Indoor facilities include a full-sized sports hall with cricket nets and a bouldering wall, a gymnasium and a fitness suite. The School Hall is used for public events including concerts and the annual musical production. Sixth Form facilities include a dedicated computer suite, two study rooms (one air-conditioned) and a common room/dining area.

Sports Facilities
Outdoor sports facilities include 2 full-sized rugby pitches, 3 full-sized football pitches, 2 cricket pitches, 7 tennis courts and 5 netball courts. Indoor sports facilities include a full-sized sports hall with cricket nets and a bouldering wall, a gymnasium and a fitness suite.

Academic Facilities
Sixth Form has a dedicated computer suite, two study rooms (one air-conditioned) and a common room/dining area. Science has 12 fully equipped labs with four prep rooms. Computing provides three fully equipped computer labs, and Languages have three computer language labs. Design Technology and Art facilities include three workshops, two food rooms, one textiles room and three art rooms. The Library is well-stocked and refurbished.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Music facilities include two well-equipped music rooms with keyboards, headphones and computers, one full music suite with keyboards and headphones, and six soundproof practice rooms. Drama spaces include an air-conditioned theatre with video, sound, lighting and retractable seating for 200, plus a studio with sound and lighting. A Film/Media suite provides a high-spec computer suite for video editing. The School Hall hosts concerts and the annual musical production.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school runs a broad co-curricular programme with more than 40 clubs. STEM enrichment opportunities at Sixth Form include leading science clubs in local primary schools. Sixth Form life is rich in extra- and super-curricular activities, with many clubs led by students. The IB Diploma Programme includes Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), an Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge, linking classroom study with broader intellectual exploration.

Arts & Creative
The school has a samba group and a symphony orchestra. There is a full programme of concerts and plays during the year, an art exhibition and the annual musical production of near West End quality. Drama and theatre experiences are integrated into school life, with opportunities to perform.

Cultural & Language
The school has Afro-Caribbean Society, South East Asian Society (SEAS), and Balkan and Eastern European Society (BEES). It also runs LGBT+ Alliance and EmpowHer, and Culture Club, with regular theatre and concert visits; the MFL Debate Club offers language-based debate opportunities.

Social & Hobbies
The school offers a vibrant social life with a wide range of clubs and informal groups and events. There are regular concerts, plays, art exhibitions and the annual musical production. The House System provides additional social events and opportunities to engage with peers across year groups.

Community & Service
Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) portfolios form part of the IB Diploma, recording students' community engagement. The Environmental Action Group leads environmental initiatives within the school and wider community. Peers Mentors receive recognition through the Diana Award. STEM clubs also engage with local communities, including leading science clubs in local primary schools.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership opportunities are broad, including the Student Council, Academic Council, Environmental Action Group, Peers Mentors (Diana Award), House Captains, Subject Prefects, Senior Prefects and more. Sixth Form leadership is encouraged through student-led clubs and assemblies. The Director of Learning runs an early-application group for medicine, law, dentistry and veterinary medicine, and students may mentor younger peers and lead assemblies.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Extra-curricular clubs include rugby and cheerleading, with training and fixtures before school, at lunch and after school. Teams are entered into North Kent, Kent and National competitions. The PE department runs trips, including an annual ski trip and termly trips to sporting events, supporting a healthy lifestyle.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught include French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Latin. Students study Modern Foreign Languages or Latin at A Level; AS Level is available in Modern Foreign Languages, and there are equivalent courses in Italian, Japanese and Russian.

Bilingual Teaching
Target languages are used extensively in lessons; classrooms are largely English-free zones, with instruction in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Latin.

Immersion Programs
Co-curricular language opportunities include language clubs, international trips, debating in foreign languages, and exchange programs; Latin reading groups and classical societies are also offered. These experiences deepen cultural and linguistic understanding.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Year 7 admission is selective and uses the Bexley Selection Test. The test is for children born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016 who will start secondary school in September 2027. Test sessions are planned for the week commencing 7 September 2026. Registration to sit the Bexley Selection Test opens on 1 March 2026 and closes at midnight on 31 March 2026 on the London Borough of Bexley site. 2. Applications are made via the London Borough of Bexley Common Application Form (CAF). The CAF becomes available from 1 September 2026 and closes on 31 October 2026. 3. After the test results, the system sorts which schools the child qualifies for and awards a place at the highest-preference school on the list. Parents should list schools in order of preference so the system can allocate a place accordingly. 4. Offers are made via the home Local Authority. If a vacancy arises, the home Local Authority informs the Admissions Team and sends the offer letter. 5. If a place is not offered, parents can join the waiting list. Waiting lists are kept for Year 7 until at least 31 December of the admission year and are ranked according to the school's oversubscription criteria. 6. A supplementary form may be required for certain applicants. Children who are currently receiving Pupil Premium or are eligible for Free School Meals must complete a supplementary form; others do not need to.

Waitlist
Waiting lists for Year 7 admissions are kept until at least 31 December of the admission year and are ranked in line with the school's oversubscription criteria. Bexley residents not offered a place are automatically placed on the waiting list for higher-preference schools, while non-Bexley residents should contact their home Local Authority to request placement on the waiting list. If a vacancy arises, the home Local Authority will send an offer letter to the parent/guardian; the waiting list is re-ranked as new entries are added.
School Events
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