Year 7 Admissions

Townley Grammar is one of four selective schools in the London Borough of Bexley and is a single-sex grammar school admitting girls in Year 7, with boys in the Sixth Form. Our students represent a wide socio-economic background and a diverse cultural and ethnic society, making it a richly diverse environment.

Townley Grammar School became an Academy on 1st January 2012 and is therefore the admissions authority for the school. Townley Grammar School is a former maintained grammar school designated as such under Section 104 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and the Education (Grammar School Designation) Order 1998. As such it is permitted to continue to select its intake by reference to ability. Applications for Year 7 admission will be coordinated by the London Borough of Bexley.

In September 2004 the school was recognised by the DfES as a Specialist School for the Performing and Visual Arts and in 2008 we were re-designated as a High Performing Specialist School. Our second specialism in Mathematics and Computing began in September 2009.

The published admissions limit for September 2019 was 224. 286 first preferences for the school were received by Bexley London Borough. The admission limit for September 2020 is 224.

If places remain available at Townley Grammar School after all students “deemed selective” by the London Borough of Bexley have been offered places, the Governors will adopt the principles and process of the London Borough of Bexley’s reserve list. Places will be offered to students in descending order of the aggregate score achieved in the Bexley Selection Test.

The current school roll is 1637.

Entry in September 2026

Applying to Year 7

Girls are eligible for admission to Year 7 in the September following their 11th birthday (for admission in September 2024; that is girls born between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014 (inclusive). The school will accept applications from girls who are no more than one year younger (that is, they were born no later than 31st August 2015) provided that they are already in Year 6 at a primary school and the school confirms that they are working successfully in that group. Girls who are born in the summer 01 April and 31 August 2013 (inclusive) where parents delayed entry to reception and the child has remained out of cohort for their entire primary attendance are also eligible for admission.
Children will sit the Bexley selection test in September 2024 when they are in Primary School.
Registration has now closed
More information can be found on the Bexley Council website:
https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/selection-tests/about-test

Click here for full details of our Year 7 Admission Arrangements 2026 entry.

Click here for full details of our Year 7 Admission Arrangements 2025 entry.

Waiting List
(After National Offers Day)

Bexley Residents

Bexley residents can return their Waiting List preferences to Bexley Council by using the slip that was included with letter advising of their child’s allocated school.

Non-Bexley Residents

If your child has been deemed selective and you wish your child’s name to be placed on the waiting list for Townley Grammar School, don't hesitate to get in touch with both:

Admissions Co-ordinator
Townley Grammar School
Townley Road
Bexleyheath
Kent, DA6 7AB

Telephone: 0208 304 8311 option 4
Email: admissions@townleygrammar.org.uk

London Borough of Bexley
School Admissions Team
Bexley Civic Offices
2 Watling Street
Bexleyheath
Kent, DA6 7AT

Telephone: 0208 303 7777
Email: schooladmissions@bexley.gov.uk

Please include details of your name and address, contact numbers, child’s name and date of birth, stating you wish to be placed on Townley Grammar School’s waiting list.

You cannot request to be added to the waiting list if your child has not been deemed selective.

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Free School Meals

The Free Online School Meals checking service is a fast and convenient way to check your Free School Meal eligibility by entering some personal details, including your National Insurance number or National Asylum number.

This safe, fast online service removes the need for paper forms to be completed and posted to Bexley Council and will give you an instant decision. We will be notified straight away if your child is eligible.

If your child is already in receipt of Free School Meals, you should have already received a letter/email from us regarding the new system. To ensure your child continues to receive Free School Meals, you will need to reapply with us with the details we requested, or you can complete the application online. If you have any questions about FSM (Free School Meals), please refer to the information in the tab below our or download FSM leaflet: Guidance on Free School Meals eligibility

If you require further information, please contact us by email: pupilpremium@townleygrammar.org.uk
or by Telephone: 0208 304 8311 and ask to speak to the Admissions team.

Apply for Free School Meals

How do I find out?

Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:

Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guarantee element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

What to do next?

If your application for Free School Meals is successful, Townley Grammar School will also receive extra funding from the Government to use in support of teaching and learning (Pupil Premium).
If you would like to apply for Free School Meals you can:
Apply online at https://apply.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/entrust
For support or assistance please contact: pupilpremium@townleygrammar.org.uk
Please note: If your application comes back as Not Found (Pending) please contact the school with evidence of your eligibility to pupilpremium@townleygrammar.org.uk within 42 days.

What does your child get with Free School Meals?

If your child is eligible for FSM, they will be able to have a meal each day in the canteen at no cost to you, up to £2.85. They are also eligible to purchase breakfast items up to a value of £1.60 each day, and collect a breakfast bar at break from our student hub. Students in receipt of FSM cannot be identified by other pupils because all students use our cashless system to pay for school meals in the canteen, the money is added automatically daily.

Sixth Form Bursary

Sixth Form students (age 16-19) can also apply for the Sixth Form Bursary which supports students with the essential costs of participating in their study programme, such as public transport costs to and from school; essential books and equipment. Please take a look at this page for more information on how to apply.