Chigwell School A GSG School Review
What is included in the Chigwell School review?
Academic results & facilities
Up to date results for GCSEs, A levels, BTECs and IB; we go to places league tables can’t reach.
Pastoral care and inclusivity
From how the school reacts when something goes wrong to how they tackle thorny issues like substance abuse, consent and mental health. We check they’ve got it all covered.
Fees, scholarships & bursary information
An independent education is a major commitment; our review enables you to compare everything from fees to hidden costs, as well as giving detailed information on scholarships and bursaries.
Information about the head
Our unparalleled access to the head teacher means we can tell you exactly what to expect when you meet them – from leadership style right down to the décor of their study and what they’re currently reading.
Teaching and learning approaches
Entrance & admissions information
Exit information - where do the children go next?
Learning support & SEN information
Arts, sports and extracurricular
What The Good Schools Guide says..
A more positive, conscientious bunch of pupils you’ll be hard pushed to find. Best suited to independent learners, although have no fear if your offspring isn’t at that point quite yet – ‘they get them all self-reliant one way or another, they’re brilliant at it,’ said a parent. Those allergic to relentless testing will be pleased to hear the school has done some trimming back on this front, but you’ll want to be sure they can cope with the fast academic pace. ‘The music department is almost like a conservatoire,’ claimed a parent of a music scholar. ‘It has been transformative for my child – simply outstanding.’ The sheer…
Read more- Chigwell School
High Road
Chigwell
Essex
IG7 6QF - Head: Mr Damian King
- T 020 8501 5700
- F 020 8500 6232
- E admissions@chigwell-school.org
- W www.chigwell-school.org
- Chigwell School is a mainstream independent school for pupils aged from 11 to 18 with a linked junior school that offers boarding. Chigwell School day fees are £22,635 and boarding fees are £39,285 pa. Is Chigwell School a good school? Read the unbiased review here.
- Read about the best schools in Essex
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Essex
- Pupils: 607; sixth formers: 179
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: Day £22,635; Boarding £39,285 pa
- Open days: Main Open Days - 15 June and 28 September 2024
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- ISI report: View the ISI report
- Linked schools: Chigwell Junior School
What the school says...
Academic results at all levels are impressive, but Chigwell places an emphasis on providing a rich and full education with opportunities in a whole variety of areas. There is widespread success in sport but drama, music and outdoor pursuits are also very strong with a very high degree of participation, not to mention the variety of clubs and societies. Chigwell has excellent facilities on an extensive site of 100 acres, dating back to 1629. The school provides a welcoming, friendly and caring community but despite the demand for places it retains its medium-sized feel so that pupils and their families are known well. ...Read more
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Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
Since 2022, Damian King, previously deputy head academic at Dulwich College and before that, head of science at Brighton College and a physics teacher at Eton. He attended Colchester Royal Grammar School (same school as Chigwell’s founder). He has an MA in physics from Mansfield, Oxford. Married to Carrie, with three children.
More than half of the year 7 intake is made up of junior school pupils (the vast majority move up), with the other half from a wide variety of local preps and primaries. Around 400 apply for these 50-odd places (it used to be 40 but has slowly risen). Assessment by interview (separate ones for pupils and parents), along with tests in English and maths (written and online). Small number of vacancies at 13 (English, maths, and modern foreign language tests). At 16, those moving up within the school...
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Overall school performance (for comparison or review only)
Results by exam and subject
Subject results
Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
Despite being a selective setting, at Chigwell, we aim to support pupils with various Special Educational Needs or Disabilities through an inclusive approach that is individualised to each pupil. We have a strong Learning Support Department whose aim is to assist pupils who need additional support and ensure they are able to reach their full potential. All pupils are assessed on entry to the school as a means of identifying any specific learning difficulties. This process continues throughout a pupils time at Chigwell with regular internal screening tests. We offer a range of supports to pupils both within the classroom and on a one to one basis that are regularly reviewed with staff, parents and the pupil.
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder | Y |
| Aspergers | Y |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders | |
| CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia | |
| Dyscalculia | Y |
| Dysgraphia | |
| Dyslexia | Y |
| Dyspraxia | Y |
| English as an additional language (EAL) | |
| Genetic | |
| Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory | |
| Has SEN unit or class | |
| HI - Hearing Impairment | |
| Hospital School | |
| Mental health | |
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty | Y |
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment | |
| Natspec Specialist Colleges | |
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability | |
| Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| PD - Physical Disability | |
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty | |
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health | |
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication | |
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty | |
| Special facilities for Visually Impaired | |
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | Y |
| VI - Visual Impairment |
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