Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Since September 2019, Stephen Lawlor, previously deputy head. Born in London and lived in Ireland for several years before relocating to Essex. Read history at Essex and nearly trained as a solicitor, but after working in two London law firms,

Admission is no longer by the CSSE 11+ exam, but instead by tests 'designed to measure comprehension, vocabulary, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning skills', prepared by Durham University’s Centre for Evaluation and

Generally, around a quarter are tempted away after GCSEs by mixed sixth forms. Vast majority who stay go on to higher education. Four to Oxbridge in 2023 (20 in 2022), and 19 medics. University destinations very wide, but most popular ones are UCL,

In 2023, 88 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 58 per cent A*/A at A level (85 per cent A*-B). In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 84 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 57 per cent A*/A at A level (84 per cent A*-B).

A real star of the league tables, twinkling brightly among the UK's top 10 state girls’ schools - and outshining all but the most hefty-fee-ed of the public schools. Indeed, the academic achievement is famously sky high, with 11 A*/9-8s at GCSE

Very small number of SEN – only eight when we visited, all of whom are supported in the classroom for their mild to moderate needs. ‘Staff are aware of their needs and use specific strategies,’ says school. ‘The public profile of the school is quite

Despite the academically-biased two-week timetable, less bookish pursuits are also encouraged at CCHS, with a cross-curricular enrichment day every half term seeing students off timetable, working on an extended project or activity, often off site.

PE is compulsory all the way to the top - years 7-11s have two one-hour lessons a week and sixth formers do sports for one afternoon a fortnight, either in or outside the school grounds. At least one sporty club every lunchtime and every day after

A traditional red-brick Edwardian grammar school on one of the main roads into the county town of Essex, which will bring back memories for any grammar school girl of the last century. Opened in 1907, it has remained largely unchanged since, save for

In a close-knit community of fewer than 900 girls – who feel grateful to be here - discipline is hardly an issue, although senior leadership team is tough when it needs to be. Girls showed us the green cards they have to carry about – with black

Hard working and very able girls come from supportive homes – although ‘supportive’ is perhaps too soft a word for some of the most demanding parents. ‘Let them have some downtime!’ the school has been known to bark at some who request ever more

An intellectually stimulating environment that gives a flying start to the brightest of girls. There’s room to let your hair down, which seems to lead to few instances of teenage rebellion – certainly within the school gates – but there can be