The hardest schools to get into in Bexley
Secondary: 191 families put Beths Grammar School first in 2026 and 50 of them (26%) were offered a place - places depend on the 11-plus.
Reception: 89 families put Dulverton Primary School first in 2026 and 55 of them (62%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Bexley with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beths Grammar School · Bexley · grammar (11-plus) | 191 | 50 (26%) | 191 |
| 2 | Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School · Sidcup · grammar (11-plus) | 341 | 161 (47%) | 211 |
| 3 | Bexley Grammar School · Welling · grammar (11-plus) | 334 | 169 (51%) | 208 |
| 4 | Harris Garrard Academy · Erith | 192 | 125 (65%) | 150 |
| 5 | Harris Academy Falconwood · Welling | 197 | 132 (67%) | 206 |
| 6 | Townley Grammar School · Bexleyheath · grammar (11-plus) | 190 | 132 (70%) | 246 |
| 7 | Cleeve Park School · Sidcup | 172 | 138 (80%) | 188 |
| 8 | St Catherine's Catholic School · Bexleyheath · faith | 158 | 128 (81%) | 208 |
| 9 | Leigh Academy Bexley · Erith | 170 | 143 (84%) | 170 |
| 10 | Haberdashers' Crayford Academy · Dartford | 168 | 143 (85%) | 180 |
| 11 | Welling School · Welling | 160 | 160 (100%) | 199 |
| 12 | Blackfen School for Girls · Sidcup | 120 | 120 (100%) | 223 |
| 13 | Hurstmere School · Sidcup | 118 | 118 (100%) | 202 |
| 14 | Lift Bexleyheath · Bexleyheath | 104 | 104 (100%) | 215 |
| 15 | Trinity Church of England School, Belvedere · Belvedere · faith | 104 | 104 (100%) | 165 |
| 16 | St Columba's Catholic Boys' School · Bexleyheath · faith | 84 | 84 (100%) | 159 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Bexley
What is the hardest school to get into in Bexley?
For secondary places, 191 families put Beths Grammar School first in 2026 and 50 of them (26%) were offered a place - places depend on the 11-plus. For Reception, 89 families put Dulverton Primary School first and 55 of them (62%) were offered a place.
How many families in Bexley get their first-choice school?
68.1% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 91.4% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Bexley published it in its admissions booklet.