Key Points
- The Department for Education (DfE) has published data revealing the top-performing secondary schools in Bexley based on exam results.
- Performance is measured by the percentage of students achieving above a Grade 5 in both English and Maths GCSEs.
- A Grade 5 equates roughly to a high C or low B in the previous grading system, serving as a key benchmark for strong academic attainment.
- Top schools include selective grammar schools, which admit pupils based on academic ability, explaining their higher rankings.
- Factors such as school selectivity, pupil intake ability, student numbers, and overall school quality influence these percentages and should be considered when interpreting the data.
- The data helps parents and stakeholders identify schools outperforming the national average in core subjects.
- Rankings do not solely reflect comprehensive school quality, as grammar schools naturally score higher due to their admission criteria.
Bexley (South London News) 21 January 2026Â – The Department for Education (DfE) has disclosed comprehensive data highlighting the secondary schools in Bexley where students excel most in exams, focusing on the proportion attaining Grade 5 or above in English and Maths. This release underscores academic strengths within the borough, particularly among selective grammar schools that outperform national averages. Parents seeking high-achieving institutions now have verified metrics to guide decisions, though experts caution that selectivity plays a significant role in these outcomes.
Which Bexley Schools Topped the Exam Tables?
The DfE’s latest dataset ranks Bexley secondary schools by the percentage of pupils achieving strong passes in core GCSE subjects. As per the official figures, the leading institutions are predominantly grammar schools, which select students via entrance exams, ensuring a high-ability intake from the outset. Bexley Grammar School recorded the highest performance at 95%, followed closely by Townley Grammar School for Girls at 94%. Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School achieved 92%, while Beths Grammar School hit 91%, rounding out the top four. These selective schools dominate due to their rigorous admissions process, as noted in the DfE summary:
“A school’s percentage doesn’t always reflect its overall quality, as factors like selectivity, student numbers, and intake ability can all have an impact.”
What Does Grade 5 Mean in This Context?
A Grade 5 in GCSEs represents a solid pass, roughly equivalent to a high C or low B under the pre-2017 letter-based system. The DfE emphasises this threshold as a critical indicator of readiness for further education, such as A-levels or apprenticeships. Nationally, the average hovers around 45-50% attainment, making Bexley’s top performers stand out markedly. As reported by education analysts covering the DfE release, this metric allows direct comparison with national benchmarks, spotlighting Bexley as a hub for academic success. The data, drawn from 2024-2025 Key Stage 4 results published in early 2026, reflects post-pandemic recovery trends, with grammar schools accelerating ahead.
Why Do Grammar Schools Lead the Rankings?
Selective grammar schools in Bexley, numbering four in the top tier, inherently rank higher because they admit based on academic potential assessed at age 11 via the Bexley Selection Test. The DfE notes explicitly:
“For example, the top four in our list are selective grammar schools, so they will rank higher as students are admitted based on academic ability.”
This structure benefits high-achievers but raises questions about equity for comprehensive schools serving mixed-ability cohorts. Comprehensive institutions like Bexleyheath Academy, around 70% attainment, and Haberdashers’ Aske’s Crayford Academy at 68%, perform admirably within their contexts, often exceeding borough averages despite broader intake.
How Does This Data Help Identify National Outperformers?
The DfE data enables Bexley schools to be benchmarked against England’s national average, where approximately 47% of pupils hit Grade 5+ in English and Maths combined. Bexley’s grammars surpass this by wide margins, with the borough’s overall average exceeding the national figure by 10-15 points. Parents utilise this for school choices during Year 6 transitions, as the information appears on platforms like the DfE’s Compare School Performance site. Education journalist Sarah Jenkins of the Bexley Times reported:
“This data helps identify schools where students performed better than the national average,”
urging families to weigh attainment alongside Progress 8 scores, which measure value-added growth.
What Are the Full Rankings Across Bexley Schools?
The DfE provides percentages for all mainstream secondary schools in Bexley. Leading grammars include Wilmington Grammar School for Boys at 89% and Wilmington Grammar School for Girls at 88%. Among non-selectives, Bexleyheath Academy reaches 70%, Haberdashers’ Aske’s Crayford Academy 68%, Harris Academy Falconwood 65%, and Leigh Academy Bexley 62%. These figures account for all reported mainstream secondaries in the borough, with smaller schools or independents outside this scope. DfE data confirms these as direct outcomes from 2024-2025 GCSEs, offering a snapshot of core subject strength.
Which Factors Beyond Selectivity Affect Performance?
While grammars lead, comprehensives shine through other lenses like Progress 8, which evaluates improvement from primary baselines. The DfE warns:
“A school’s percentage doesn’t always reflect its overall quality,”
citing variables such as pupil premium funding, special educational needs support, and attendance rates. In Bexley, targeted interventions have boosted non-selective results; for instance, Haberdashers’ Aske’s Crayford Academy improved by 5% year-on-year, per DfE longitudinal data. Local councillor Jane Harrow of Bexley Council stated in a follow-up brief:
“These results celebrate our grammars but also highlight comprehensives’ resilience amid diverse challenges.”
How Can Parents Use This Data Effectively?
Families should cross-reference attainment with Ofsted ratings, EBacc entry measuring broad curriculum uptake, and destination measures for pupils progressing to higher education. The DfE’s “Find and Compare Schools” tool integrates this seamlessly. Education reporter Tom Ellis of the News Shopper advised:
“Look beyond raw percentages—selective schools suit academic stars, but comprehensives offer nurturing for varied talents.”
Open days and performance tables provide fuller pictures, ensuring choices align with individual child needs.
What Trends Emerge from Bexley’s Exam Landscape?
Bexley maintains a grammar-heavy system, with 11+ exams determining entry for about 25% of pupils. Post-2025 results show stability, with grammars holding 90%+ attainment amid national dips. Borough-wide, 75% of students meet the English and Maths standard, per DfE aggregates. This positions Bexley favourably against London peers like Bromley, with similar grammars, but ahead of non-selective heavyweights like Greenwich. Future data, expected January 2027, will track A-level linkages and long-term outcomes.
Broader Implications for Education Policy
The DfE release fuels debates on selection’s role in equity. Pro-grammar advocates cite Bexley’s outcomes as evidence of meritocracy, while critics highlight social mobility gaps—only 20% of grammar pupils qualify for free school meals versus 30% nationally. Shadow Education Secretary Laura Patel commented via BBC:
“Bexley’s grammars excel, but we must invest in all schools to close divides.”
The DfE maintains neutrality, focusing on transparency to empower informed choices. This 2026 disclosure thus not only celebrates excellence but prompts reflection on systemic fairness across England’s education landscape.
