Choosing a secondary school is a big decision, and St Clement Danes sets out to make the welcome a warm one. It describes itself plainly as a coeducational, all-ability school, and that is the heart of how it works. Most children win their place simply by living close enough, with the majority of seats allocated on distance from the school gates in Chorleywood. So while the name carries weight, this is not a school that admits only the highest scorers.
There is a selective element, but it is a slim one and easy to misread. A set number of places each year go to children with a particular aptitude for music or a strong academic profile, tested through the South West Herts Schools Consortium in the autumn before children apply. No preparation is expected, no minimum mark is set, and you learn the result before the application deadline so you can plan around it. For families without that route, the distance criterion remains the main way in.
The school carries a long history lightly, founded in 1862 and still supported by the Holborn Estate Charity that dates back to 1551, and it runs on three plain words its pupils know well, excellence, respect and trust. A motto, Loyauté m'oblige, threads through house life and the wider community feel that parents tend to mention first. Children stay from eleven through to the sixth form, and under headteacher Toby Sutherland the school suits a child who will flourish somewhere settled, kind and quietly ambitious.
Yes
Does St Clement Danes School have a catchment area?
There is no fixed catchment boundary, but most places are allocated on straight-line distance from the school in Chorleywood, so children living closer have the best chance. A small number of places are instead offered through aptitude (music) and academic banding tested via the South West Herts Consortium.
In 2025 students achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 65.1 across their GCSEs. 83.9% gained a grade 5 or better in both English and Maths. 49.6% achieved the English Baccalaureate at grade 5 or above. Reference: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/
In 2025 students achieved a B+ average grade per A-Level entry. 27.5% gained AAB or better including two facilitating subjects. Reference: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/
St Clement Danes School uses the GL exam board for its academic and music aptitude tests.
No, there is no interview stage as part of the 11+ admission process at St Clement Danes School.
St Clement Danes School is a co-educational (mixed) school.
The official website for St Clement Danes School is https://www.stclementdanes.org.uk/.
24 places (10%) are for music aptitude and 24 places (10%) for academic ability via the South West Herts Consortium Tests. Most remaining places are allocated by straight-line distance from the school.
While there is no fixed boundary, most places are allocated based on straight-line distance from the school in Chorleywood.
