Chigwell School
Chigwell, Essex, East of England · IG7 6QF
Founded in 1629, Chigwell School is a large, mixed independent school with a Church of England character, taking pupils from age 4 through to the sixth form and offering boarding alongside day places. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated it excellent across the board, including for pupils' personal development. With 744 on roll and a sixth form of 183, it balances the breadth of a sizeable school with a strong pastoral and developmental focus. Its bursary programme reflects an explicitly altruistic ethos, extending support to international boarders from parts of Eastern Europe.
744
Pupils
excellent
ISI
£29,340
Day fees / yr
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Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Mixed
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 4-18
- Pupils
- 744
- Location
- Chigwell, Essex, East of England
- Website
- https://www.chigwell-school.org/
- Telephone
- 020 85015700
Entrance & admissions
- Entry age
- 11
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Headteacher
Head Damian King
Latest results
Attainment 8
21.9
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
0%
National average 47%
GCSE grade 9-7
69%
A-level A*-A
44%
A-level A*-B
73%
Teaching & academics
Academic results are a genuine strength: 69% of GCSE grades reached 9-7, and at A-level 44% were graded A*-A with 73% at A*-B. The sixth-form curriculum is broad and notably strong in the sciences and mathematics, with Further Mathematics, Economics, Psychology and the humanities all popular, supported by the EPQ. The published Attainment 8 figure of 21.9 and 0% at grade 5+ in English and Maths sit well below national averages and appear inconsistent with the school's other GCSE data, so parents may wish to confirm these directly with the school.
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 183
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 14.49%
- EHC plans
- 0.27%
Arts & extracurricular
Scholarships
Popular GCSE subjects
Sport
Main sports
Beyond the classroom
Sport centres on football and cross-country, while Drama and Theatre Studies, Music and Art feature prominently at both GCSE and A-level, pointing to a healthy creative life. Around 14% of pupils receive SEN support, and academic and honorary scholarships recognise particular talent.
Ethos & heritage
- Founded
- 1629
- Religious character
- C of E
- Boarding
- Yes
Mobile phone policy
Pupils can only make and receive calls using their mobile phone before 8.20am and after 4pm. Pupils below the third form are discouraged from bringing mobile phones to school. If there is a valid reason for doing so, parents are asked to seek written permission and the mobile phone is handed in to the junior school reception and collected at the end of the day. Sixth form pupils can use their phones inside the sixth form centre during the day. A phone may only be used in lessons with the permission of the teacher, if it is being used for work purposes.
Money matters
- Day fees (per year)
- £29,340
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £51,462
A sizeable number of bursaries available in line with school's altruistic ethos, eg for international boarders from parts of Eastern Europe.
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 28 November 2023
The last word
A long-established, well-regarded all-through school with serious academic credentials and a meaningful commitment to access through bursaries. Parents should clarify the GCSE headline figures, which look at odds with the school's strong grade profile.
The Passmate verdict
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Chigwell School 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is Chigwell School located?
Chigwell School is located at High Road, Chigwell, IG7 6QF.
What type of school is Chigwell School?
Chigwell School is an independent (fee-paying) school in East of England.
How many pupils attend Chigwell School?
Chigwell School has approximately 744 pupils on roll.
What is Chigwell School's inspection rating?
Chigwell School is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 28 November 2023.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.