If you’re applying to Grammar School in Buckinghamshire for your child, you’re in good company.
This county is home to some of the best selective schools in the UK. Known for academic excellence and strong community values, Buckinghamshire’s Grammar Schools attract families from far and wide.
But with so many options and the complexity of the 11 Plus exam, it can be hard to know where to start.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Grammar Schools in Buckinghamshire. From the top schools and best areas to live in, to a detailed breakdown of how the 11 Plus exam works, we’ll help you make secondary choices with confidence.
In this article:
Grammar Schools in Buckinghamshire: Rankings and Reputation
How many Grammar Schools are in Buckinghamshire?
Buckinghamshire boasts an extensive Grammar School system, including thirteen Grammar Schools across the county. These schools (such as Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, Wycombe High School, Aylesbury Grammar School and The Royal Latin School) have a long history of academic success and offer a diverse yet challenging curriculum.
The thirteen Grammar Schools in Buckinghamshire are:
- Dr Challoner’s Grammar School (boys, Amersham)
- Dr Challoner’s High School (girls, Little Chalfont)
- Royal Grammar School (boys, High Wycombe)
- Wycombe High School (girls, High Wycombe)
- Aylesbury Grammar School (boys, Aylesbury)
- Aylesbury High School (girls, Aylesbury)
- Beaconsfield High School (girls, Beaconsfield)
- John Hampden Grammar School (boys, High Wycombe)
- Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School (co-ed, Aylesbury)
- Chesham Grammar School (co-ed, Chesham)
- Burnham Grammar School (co-ed, Burnham)
- The Royal Latin School (co-ed, Buckingham)
- Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School (co-ed, Marlow)
Just like other Grammars, students must pass the 11 Plus to attend these Buckinghamshire schools. But in good news for parents, this doesn’t mean your child needs to sit thirteen separate exams.
The county’s Grammar Schools are all linked through the Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools Consortium (TBGS). This organisation administers 11 Plus exams on behalf of all the schools, meaning your child only faces one set of exams.
What’s the best school in Buckinghamshire?
When it comes to the best school in Buckinghamshire, Dr Challoner’s Grammar School in Amersham consistently ranks top. Known for its outstanding academic performance, the school regularly achieves excellent GCSE and A Level results, placing it among the best grammar schools in the country.
In 2023, over 77% of GCSE results were grade 9-1, with 84% of A Level entries awarded A*-B. As such, Dr Challoner’s students gain places at the best Russell-Group (and non-Russell Group) universities, making it the first choice for many families in the area.
For girls, Dr Challoner’s High School in Little Chalfont is equally impressive. With a history of high exam results, it offers not just strong academics but also a wide range of extracurricular activities, including excellent sports and arts programs.
To explore your options, here are the top five Grammar Schools in Buckinghamshire, ranked by the Sunday Times Parent Power league table.
- Dr Challoner’s Grammar School: 35th
- Beaconsfield High School: 37th
- Dr Challoner’s High School: 38th
- Chesham Grammar School: 41st
- Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School: 44th
Where’s the best place to live in Buckinghamshire for schools?
If access to top schools is a priority, towns like Amersham, Beaconsfield and High Wycombe are great options. These areas are home to some of the highest-ranked grammar schools, such as Dr Challoner’s, the Royal Grammar School and Beaconsfield High School.
You’ll usually have to live within the school’s catchment area. Living near the school can improve your chances of securing a spot, as proximity is sometimes considered during the admissions process (though it’s not the primary factor in most cases).
For families seeking a quieter, more rural lifestyle while still having access to top schools, Chesham and Aylesbury are good alternatives. These areas are slightly further out but still boast some of the best Grammar Schools in the county, including Chesham Grammar School and Aylesbury Grammar School.
If you’re considering Grammar Schools elsewhere, explore the best Grammars across London and the UK, as well as guides to Hertfordshire, Harrow, Slough, Watford, Barnet and North London.
Grammar Schools in Buckinghamshire: Understanding the 11 Plus
What’s the pass rate for the Buckinghamshire 11+?
The Buckinghamshire 11+ pass rate is usually just above 30%. So roughly one in three students achieve the qualifying mark of 121 or higher.
This score is the benchmark for Grammar School eligibility, but passing doesn’t automatically guarantee a place. As these schools are regularly oversubscribed, other admissions criteria come into play.
So what’s the Buckinghamshire 11+ test format?
Well, the Buckinghamshire 11 Plus, known as the Secondary Transfer Test, assesses students’ abilities across Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Students sit two test papers, each lasting about 60 minutes with a short break in between. These tests measure a child’s aptitude in problem-solving, critical thinking, and core academic skills. The papers are produced by GL Assessment, a well-known provider of 11 Plus exams.
You can find more detailed information and common questions on the TBGS website.
What’s the cut-off for Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools?
To qualify for Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools, children need a score of 121 or higher. This is a “standardised score” which means children’s marks are adjusted to account for their age – so younger children aren’t unfairly disadvantaged.
Any students attending state-funded primary schools in Buckinghamshire are automatically entered for the test (unless you opt-out). But if your child attends a private school, is homeschooled (or lives outside the county), you must register for the test.
While the dates change year to year, here’s an overview of Buckinghamshire 11 Plus deadlines.
- May to June: Registration period for Secondary Transfer Test
- Early-August: Test Invitations sent
- Mid-September: Transfer Test held
- Mid-October: Transfer Test results released
- Late-October: Deadline to submit your secondary school application to the local authority
What’s the highest 11 Plus score?
In the Buckinghamshire 11 Plus scoring system, the highest possible standardised score is 170. The lowest is 60.
This is rare, however, as scores are calculated from raw marks across different subject areas, adjusted for the child’s age, and then converted into a standardised format.
The average score sits around 100, with a score of 120 or above considered excellent.
What’s the hardest Grammar School to get into in Buckinghamshire?
The most competitive Grammar School in Buckinghamshire is Burnham Grammar School. From all the students who selected this school as their first preference, only 42% secured a place. With its consistently high academic results and reputation, it’s one of the most sought-after schools in the county.
In terms of first-choice allocation, the most competitive Grammar Schools in Buckinghamshire are:
- Burnham Grammar School: 42.9%
- Royal Latin School: 52.7%
- Beaconsfield High School: 54.8%
- Sir Henry Floyd Grammar: 57.9%
- Dr Challoner’s Grammar School: 59.3%
Grammar Schools in Buckinghamshire: Quickfire Questions
Before we complete this guide to Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools, it’s worth addressing some of the most common questions parents have. From specific rankings to reputation and school status, here are the remaining details on some of Buckinghamshire’s top schools.
What’s Amersham Grammar School ranked?
There isn’t a specific school called “Amersham Grammar,” but Dr Challoner’s Grammar School in Amersham is often considered the top grammar school in Buckinghamshire. In the 2023 Sunday Times Parent Power League Table, it ranked 35th in the country, and 6th in South East England.
What’s the ranking of Beaconsfield High School?
Beaconsfield High School, or “Becky High,” is one of the top-performing grammar schools in the country. In the Sunday Times Parent Power League Table, it ranks 7th in the South East and 37th nationally. This position reflects Beaconsfield High School’s consistently high academic achievements and strong extra-curricular offerings.
Is Wycombe High a Grammar School?
Yes, Wycombe High School is a highly-regarded girls’ Grammar School in High Wycombe. Known for its academic excellence (with over 75% of A Level grades at A*-B), it ranks among the top girls’ grammar schools in the county.
The school was honoured with the prestigious Sunday Times “Secondary School of the Year” award in 2023.
Is Aylesbury Grammar School good?
Aylesbury Grammar School is one of the oldest and most respected schools in Buckinghamshire. Founded over 420 years ago, this boys’ Grammar consistently achieves strong results at GCSE and A Level. Its students attend top Russell-Group universities, and they’re one of the leading state schools for Oxbridge entry.
In the Headmaster’s Welcome, it’s stressed that through “knowing and understanding each individual” (not just through academic achievements!) the school helps its students “flourish in all they do”.
Considering Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools for your child?
If your child is preparing for 11 Plus exams, working with an experienced 11 Plus tutor can make all the difference.
At Achieve Learning, we’ve helped countless students secure places at some of the top schools in the country. From 1-1 tuition to mock exams and expert academic consultancy, we’ll support every step of your child’s 11 Plus journey.
