About Dr Challoner's Grammar School 

Founded in 1624, Dr Challoner’s Grammar School is an academy grammar school based in Amersham, with up to 1370 students (of whom around 450 are in the co-educational Sixth Form). We have approximately 170 teaching and support staff and draw our intake of 180 boys who join the school in Year 7 from the Chiltern area of  Buckinghamshire. Boys take the Buckinghamshire Transfer Test. The school benefits from outstanding modern facilities, including spacious, light classrooms, all of which are fully equipped with a whiteboard and digital projector. The school also enjoys recently modernised sports, music, science and arts facilities. 

Underpinning everything that we do is a belief that the education of our students is about developing their aspiration, their kindness and their resilience and about equipping them to flourish in the future, whatever that may hold. 

We believe that the learning habits developed by students are just as important as the knowledge and understanding they acquire during their time at school. Teachers, students and governors take part in Learning Reviews and a common language of learning permeates the school. DCGS is an active member of the International Boys Schools Coalition and hosts national conferences on learning as well as supporting many local schools. Professional development is given a high priority. 

The curriculum broadly mirrors the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3 while students in Key Stage 4 follow a core curriculum of English (Language and Literature), Mathematics, three Sciences, a Modern Language and a Humanities subject, as well as PE, Religious Studies and Citizenship/PSHE. Boys make two further choices from a wide range of courses and also undertake an enrichment programme which includes climbing,  ‘app’ development and the opportunity to undertake the HPQ (Higher Project Qualification). In the Sixth Form, students follow the innovative Challoner's Baccalaureate, which combines the best of rigorous academic learning with a wide range of other activities. Students complete three or four A Levels selected from a list of over 20 and participate in volunteering, higher level study and team projects, as well as completing either an EPQ or AS Level General Studies. Around 20 students each year win offers of places at Oxford and Cambridge.

The school has very strong cultural and sporting traditions. There are choirs, an orchestra, a swing band, a jazz band, and at least two major drama productions each year. DCGS enjoys a strong sporting reputation and teams compete at regional and national levels. Many clubs and societies flourish, while the number and range of educational visits are exceptional. A wide range of international links are maintained, including work experience language exchanges and regular visits to overseas destinations. Close ties exist with Dr Challoner's High School (girls), through music and drama as well as social events for students. 

Student support, guidance and involvement are key aspects of the school. Great emphasis is placed on developing the school’s ethos of ‘excellence with integrity’, as well as our focus on character education,  and students are encouraged to accept  responsibility for themselves, others and the environment. A system of mentors and prefects supports younger students and provides outstanding opportunities for leadership development. The  flourishing competition between the six houses – Foxell, Holman, Newman, Pearson, Rayner and  Thorne – is led entirely by senior students.  

You'll find a lot more information about the school on our website, www.challoners.com (which we hope encapsulates that intangible 'feel' of the school). If you would like further clarification or just an informal chat, please feel free to contact us.

Why work in Amersham? 

Amersham is situated in Buckinghamshire in the Chilterns Hills, which has been declared an ‘Area of Outstanding  Natural Beauty’. Old Amersham has a variety of historic buildings dating from the 8th century onwards and is a regular backdrop to films and TV shows. The school is based just up the hill from Old Amersham in the more modern section of the town (Amersham on the Hill). Amersham has a good range of shops, sports facilities, walking trails, pubs and restaurants whilst being only 40 minutes away from central London and all that it has to offer.  

Amersham Station is a three minute walk away from the school and staff can enjoy fast and frequent commuting into  London’s Baker Street on the Metropolitan Line or Marylebone via the Chiltern Line. We are within easy distance of the  M25, M1, M4 and Luton and Heathrow Airports.  

The surrounding areas of Amersham are affordable places to live, with many staff members commuting from  Aylesbury, Chesham, High Wycombe, Hemel Hempstead and of course Amersham itself.  

Buckinghamshire is renowned for its schools, with a range of excellent state primary schools, prep schools, grammar  schools and non-selective secondary schools. Amersham is an extremely popular location in which to live and work.

Additional information for applicants

Some additional information for applicants can be found here. 

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

At Dr Challoner's Grammar School we ensure breadth of opportunities for all and actively promote open and outward facing attitudes to diversity and inclusion. As such, we encourage suitably qualified people from all backgrounds to apply for roles at our school. If there are any issues which you feel could be barriers to your application as part of this process please let  us know.

Our commitment to Safeguarding

Dr Challoner’s Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and successful candidates will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check.