Beths Grammar School 11 plus is a popular route for families in Bexley who want a selective boys school with a purposeful, academic feel and a clear sixth form pathway. The school is based on Hartford Road in Bexley, so the day to day commute often becomes part of the decision early on, not an afterthought after results day.
Most families feel steadier once two things are clear. First, the selection test is run through the local authority system, so the early admin sits with Bexley rather than being a school specific form only. Second, qualifying as selective is only one part of the journey. Offers still depend on the published oversubscription rules, which means planning should stay calm and realistic even when preparation is going well.
It helps to put the whole timeline in one place before Year 6 gets busy with school events and clubs. This simple checklist on your site keeps the sequence clear without overcomplicating it: Bexley selection timeline checklist.
| Key detail | Information |
| School type | Boys grammar academy, ages 11 to 18 |
| Location | Bexley, London Borough of Bexley |
| Year 7 places | 192 |
| Entry route | Bexley Selection Test |
| Offer system | Local authority coordinated admissions |
| Offer system |
For the clearest published rules, the school admissions policy for September 2026 entry explains how the test links to eligibility and how places are offered: Beths admissions policy for Year 7 entry.
The easiest way to think about Beths Grammar School admissions is as a sequence of small steps that build on each other, with one calm folder for every confirmation email and document.
Registration is done through the local authority and is a separate task from naming schools on your application form. Bexley sets out who should register and how on its page about Bexley Selection Test information and registration.
The Bexley Selection Test consists of two multiple choice papers with timed sections. These assess comprehension and verbal ability alongside numerical reasoning and non verbal reasoning. Preparation works best when it focuses on familiarity with question types, timing, and accuracy under pressure rather than covering every possible topic.
Test registration allows your child to sit the assessment, but offers only come through the secondary application system. The national overview on applying for a secondary school place
is a helpful reference for understanding coordinated admissions and preference order.
Beths uses age standardised results linked to the Bexley selective standard. Once results are issued, eligibility is confirmed first, then published oversubscription criteria decide offers within the qualified group.
Offer day is not always the final outcome. Waiting lists can move as families qualify for multiple schools and final travel decisions are made. Keep address details consistent across registrations, as distance calculations depend on that information.
| Milestone | Date |
| Test registration window | 1 May 2025 to 31 May 2025 |
| Bexley Selection Test week | Second or third week of September 2025 |
| Results shared to parents | Within four weeks of sitting the test |
| Headteacher review stage | November 2025 |
| Secondary application window | 1 September 2025 to 31 October 2025 |
| National offer day | 2 March 2026 |
Beths does not operate a simple catchment area. Places are offered according to published oversubscription rules, with distance used as a tie breaker within priority groups.
Distance is measured as a straight line from the home address point to the school entrance defined in the admissions policy. Travel time does not factor into the calculation, which means similar distances can still result in very different daily journeys.
The practical takeaway is to keep address evidence consistent across test registration and your local authority application, and to treat documentation as part of the process rather than a last minute detail.
Appeals work best when treated as a structured, evidence based process. A clear, parent friendly explanation of what panels can consider is available from ACE Education on school admission appeals. A calm approach is to accept the offered place to secure September, then consider waiting lists and appeals only after reviewing the oversubscription rules and available evidence carefully.
Beths Grammar School uses the Bexley Selection Test, so preparation should reflect a borough wide selective test style rather than a school written paper.
Some families find it helpful to use official style familiarisation materials. GL Assessment provides free resources on its free practice tests page.
Preparation works best when it feels like training rather than judgement. For Beths, the focus is reading comprehension, vocabulary, number fluency, and reliable multiple choice habits.
You can adapt pacing using your own guide here: Year 5 revision plan.
As a clear starting point, you can book a free 11 plus diagnostic session with Find Your Tutor FYT focused on Beths 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 Beths Grammar School  Places with Find Your Tutor.
The test takes place in September of Year 6 and Beths states it is usually in the second or third week of September. Build preparation so your child peaks in late summer rather than burning out in spring. Keep the final week light with short warm ups and early nights.
The route is the Bexley Selection Test and it is described as two multiple choice papers with timed sections. Expect comprehension and verbal ability alongside numerical reasoning and non verbal reasoning. Preparation should focus on question familiarity and calm timing.
Yes. Test registration is a separate step and it is not the same as naming schools on your secondary application. Put registration on your calendar early so it does not get missed. Keep a copy of your confirmation once submitted.
Yes, children can sit the selection test, but offers depend on the published oversubscription rules and distance can still matter. Out of borough families often apply with a realistic travel plan and a balanced list of schools. Always keep expectations calm until offers are made.
The published admissions number is shown in the admissions policy and it helps you understand how competitive the eligible group may be. Try not to let the number drive anxiety. Focus on steady preparation and strong routines.
The admissions process separates eligibility from oversubscription. Your child needs to be assessed as selective through the Bexley standard, then the published criteria decide offers. Aim for secure accuracy rather than occasional high scores.
No. Passing confirms selective eligibility but offers depend on the oversubscription rules. This is why distance, priority groups, and preference order still matter. A realistic shortlist protects your child from feeling everything depends on one outcome.
Distance is measured as a straight line from your home address point to the school entrance point named in the admissions policy. Travel time is not part of the calculation. Keep your address details consistent across the whole process.
 The admissions policy explains how ties are broken when distance measurements are the same. In dense areas very small differences can matter. It is usually best to avoid over focusing on tiny margins you cannot control.
Yes. Sitting the test alone is not enough. You must include the school on your local authority application for an offer to be possible. Make sure your preference order reflects your real choices.
Entry at Year 7 is for boys. The sixth form is coeducational, so girls can join later at post 16. This is useful to know when thinking long term. It also means families sometimes look at the wider group of schools rather than only Year 7 entry.
Start with method and familiarity, not speed. Learn question types slowly and repeat them until your child feels confident. Add timing only once accuracy is steady. This keeps confidence protected.
Keep it short and regular. Times tables, fractions, and quick mental calculation matter because they reduce thinking load in reasoning questions. Celebrate steady improvement rather than chasing perfect scores. A calm routine beats long sessions.
Treat it like a puzzle habit. Start untimed so patterns feel familiar, then add gentle timing later. Children often improve through repeated exposure to the same pattern families. Praise effort and method rather than the final mark.
No. Some children thrive with a consistent home routine, while others benefit from structured support. The best choice is the one that keeps progress visible and confidence steady. Avoid doing too much too early and leaving your child tired by autumn.
