Bexley Grammar School 11 plus comes up a lot for families in Welling and the wider London Borough of Bexley who want a coeducational grammar with a strong academic culture and a busy sixth form. The site sits by Danson Park, so daily routines often revolve around the commute and after school clubs as much as the entrance exam.
Most parents feel calmer once two things are clear. First, Bexley Grammar School admissions uses the borough wide Bexley Selection Test, so the exam style is consistent across Bexley grammar schools. Second, place allocation is a mix of score and admissions criteria, so it helps to keep preferences realistic and organised.
A useful first step is to map your grammar school application UK timeline in one place, so Year 6 does not feel like a rush. This quick guide keeps it simple: grammar school application UK timeline.
| Key detail | Information |
| School type | Selective academy, mixed |
| Age range | 11 to 18 |
| Address | Danson Lane, Welling, DA16 2BL |
| Year 7 intake | 210 places for September 2026 entry |
| Entrance test | Bexley Selection Test, two papers |
| Test style | Multiple choice, timed sections, OMR answer sheet |
| Sixth form | Large, mixed, academic pathway |
| Location |
For a reliable snapshot of official basics such as age range, status, and contact details, the Get Information About Schools record is a useful cross check.
The easiest way to think about Bexley Grammar School admissions is as a sequence of small tasks that build on each other.
Your child can only sit the test if you register within the published window. Bexley Council sets out the timeline clearly, including registration and test week, in its parent guide: Starting at Secondary School September 2026 booklet.
The admissions policy explains that the Bexley Selection Test consists of two papers covering verbal reasoning and comprehension, non verbal reasoning, and mathematical reasoning. Answers are recorded on a machine readable OMR answer sheet, as described in the Bexley Grammar School admissions policy for September 2026 entry.
Children usually sit the test in September of Year 6, either in their own primary school or at a test centre.
Results are issued in October. You then submit your secondary application by the local authority deadline. It is sensible to include at least one realistic non selective option, as being deemed selective does not guarantee a place at a specific grammar school.
National Offer Day is in early March. After offers are released, waiting lists move and appeals may follow. This stage is about calm administration rather than further test preparation.
| Milestone | Date |
| Selection Test registration window | 1 May 2025 to 31 May 2025 |
| Secondary application opens | 1 September 2025 |
| Bexley Selection Test week | Week commencing 8 September 2025 |
| Selection Test results | October 2025 (date confirmed nearer the time) |
| Secondary application deadline | 31 October 2025 |
| National Offer Day | 2 March 2026 |
These dates are published in borough guidance for parents, including a helpful overview of the test format, in the Starting at Secondary School September 2026 booklet. Bexley also publishes a clear familiarisation guide explaining the question style: Bexley Selection Test familiarisation guide.
It helps to separate two questions. First, is your child deemed selective? Second, if they are, how are places offered when the school is oversubscribed?
Bexley Grammar School uses the borough wide selection standard. Your child must achieve an age standardised score above the Bexley threshold to be deemed selective, as explained in the Bexley Grammar School admissions policy for September 2026 entry.
When there are more selective applicants than places, oversubscription criteria apply. For September 2026 entry, the intake is 210 places, with priority groups including looked after children, a set number of pupil premium places, the highest scoring pupils across Bexley grammar schools, then siblings, staff children, and finally distance. The full order is set out in the admissions policy.
The key takeaway for parents is that score matters, but distance can still matter once higher priority groups are placed.
Bexley Grammar School does not operate a single fixed catchment line that guarantees entry. Distance is used at a specific stage in the oversubscription rules, so it is better to think about ranking rather than being inside or outside a boundary.
Bexley operates a headteacher review process for children who are not initially deemed selective. Primary headteachers can submit evidence for reconsideration, as described in the admissions policy. This means consistent school evidence can matter, not just one test morning.
Appeals happen after offers are made. For a clear overview of how appeals work and what panels can consider, the government guidance is the best starting point: school admission appeals.
The Bexley Selection Test consists of two papers of around 50 minutes each, with separately timed sections and multiple choice answers recorded on an OMR sheet, as set out in the borough guidance. Speed matters, but calm accuracy matters just as much.
The borough guidance lists four assessed areas: comprehension, verbal ability including vocabulary, numerical reasoning, and non verbal reasoning. Verbal ability and comprehension together account for around 50 percent of the marks, with numerical and non verbal reasoning weighted at around 25 percent each.
Children often improve fastest once the style and timing feel familiar. A sensible approach is to start with official familiarisation, then add a small amount of timed practice. GL Assessment explains this distinction clearly on its page of free 11 plus familiarisation materials.
Preparation works best when it feels like training rather than judgement. For Bexley Grammar School 11 plus, the main themes are reading comprehension with vocabulary, confident reasoning, and comfort with multiple choice timing.
A realistic structure helps families stay consistent:Year 5 11 plus revision plan.
As a clear starting point, you can book a free 11 plus diagnostic session with Find Your Tutor FYT focused on Bexley Grammar School. It benchmarks your child’s current level and provides a personalised preparation roadmap for the months ahead.
Join Hundreds of Families Who Secured Bexley Grammar School Places with Find Your Tutor.
It was sat in the week commencing 8 September 2025 for September 2026 entry. Most children cope best when the final weeks focus on timing and confidence rather than learning new content. A calm early night and a simple breakfast routine make a bigger difference than parents expect.
It uses the Bexley Selection Test with comprehension, verbal ability, numerical reasoning, and non verbal reasoning. The test is designed to assess reasoning and core skills rather than one specific Year 6 topic list. That is why reading and vocabulary habits matter so much.
You register for the selection test first, then list the school on your secondary application. The application itself is done through the eAdmissions system used by many London boroughs, which you can access via eAdmissions. Keep copies of confirmations and any supporting forms in one folder.
The school’s admission number is 210 for September 2026 entry. Places are then allocated using oversubscription criteria when there are more applicants than places. It is sensible to plan preferences with both ambition and realism.
It is better to think of it as ranked criteria rather than a simple catchment line. Distance is used at a specific stage of the oversubscription process, not as the first filter. That is why two children with the same selective result can have different outcomes depending on the criteria applied.
No, you can apply from outside the borough, but you must follow the same test and application steps. Practicalities like travel time become even more important. A long commute can drain energy in winter and affect homework routines.
In practice, families register because they want the option of a grammar preference. The test is tied to the admissions route, so it is best treated as part of the whole plan. Decide early so you are not rushing in May.
The main Year 7 route is test based rather than interview based. Preparation should focus on the exam format and calm confidence. Talking about books and ideas at home still helps because it builds comprehension and vocabulary naturally.
The admissions policy describes a set number of places reserved for eligible children, with specific requirements for evidence and forms. Families using this route should keep paperwork organised early. Deadlines matter, so aim to submit well before the final day.
There is a review process in Bexley where headteachers can submit evidence for reconsideration. This is why steady school performance and good work habits still matter alongside test preparation. After offers, you can also consider an appeal if appropriate.
Start with pattern recognition and basic techniques, then add timing later. Many children improve quickly once they understand the question types. Short frequent practice usually beats long weekend marathons.
It depends on your child’s confidence and how well home routines fit your family life. Some children thrive with a simple parent led plan, others need clearer feedback and structure. The best approach is the one that keeps progress steady without making home feel tense.
Year 4 is ideal for building habits, Year 5 is where structure starts, and Year 6 is for exam readiness. Starting early does not mean doing intense work early. It means keeping things calm and consistent.
Bexley uses its own selection test format with specific weightings across sections. Other areas can use different providers or different subject emphasis. That is why using Bexley specific familiarisation makes sense.
It is popular and selective, so demand is high most years. The best way to stay calm is to focus on what you can control: preparation habits, paperwork, and realistic preferences. Keeping one strong non selective option protects your child’s confidence.
