Beaconsfield High School 11 plus: 2024 entry guide

About Beaconsfield High School

Beaconsfield High School, affectionally known as 'Becky High', is a grammar school for girls aged 11 to 18 in the market town of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire – often named one of the best places to live in the country. The school is one of the highest-performing state schools in the area and is currently ranked within the best 50 grammar schools in England.

Beaconsfield High School is dedicated to discovering and developing the potential of all students within an inclusive, diverse and dynamic community. Despite being a high-achieving school, 'happy' is one of the first words in the school vision – staff and pupils are equipped with the skills required to manage academic pressure and find the right balance.

Beaconsfield High is one of only 45 schools in the country to be recognised as an 'Exceptional School' by the Best Practice Network. Assessors praised the school for its support of each and every pupil, teachers' passion and creative approach when sharing their subject knowledge, and the well-rounded education provided by numerous co-curricular opportunities.

• Address: Beaconsfield High School, Wattleton Road, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 1RR

• Local authority: Buckinghamshire Council

• School type: girls' grammar

• Headteacher: Rachel Smith

• Number of pupils: 1,250+

• National rank (Sunday Times Parent Power): 48

• A level results: 85.4% A*–B

• GCSE results: 80.4% 9/8/7

Key info for Year 7 admissions

• Admissions contact: enquiriesbeaconsfieldhigh.bucks.sch.uk, 01494673043

• Number of places in Year 7: 180

• Open evening: 21st April 2023. More dates are likely to be released in the autumn

• Exam registration opens (out-of-county applications): 5th May 2023

• Exam registration closes (out-of-county applications): 16th June 2023

• Exam date: 14th September 2023

• Exam type: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test

• Common application form (CAF) deadline: 31st October 2023

• National school offer day: 1st March 2024

How to apply to Beaconsfield High School

1. Secondary Transfer Test registration

Beaconsfield High School is a member of The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS). This consortium administers the 11 plus exam (Secondary Transfer Test) for all 13 grammar schools in the county.

Buckinghamshire’s 11 plus registration process is unique as they operate an ‘opt-out’ system. If your child attends a Buckinghamshire primary school, they will automatically be registered to take the test.

If your child's primary school is not in Buckinghamshire and you would like to apply for a place at Beaconsfield High School, you will need to register for the Secondary Transfer Test separately. Registration will be open on the Buckinghamshire Council website between 5th May 2023 and 16th June 2023.

2. Apply for a school place

You will receive your child's results in the Secondary Transfer Test on 13th October 2023. If your child has achieved the pass mark in the exam, they will be eligible for a place at the school. You will then be able to name Beaconsfield High School on your common application form.

Before listing Beaconsfield High School as a preference on your form, check its admissions policy and make sure your child is eligible. Passing the Secondary Transfer Test will not be a guarantee of a place as more girls reach the qualifying standard each year than there are places available.

The application form must be submitted to your home local council by 31st October 2023. The form must be completed for your home local authority – i.e. if you live in Buckinghamshire you will need to complete the form on the Buckinghamshire Council website. If you live in a different local authority, make sure to apply through the relevant website for that council.

What is the pass mark for Beaconsfield High School?

Your daughter's test papers in the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test will be marked and weighted. The English and verbal reasoning test will have a weighting of 50% applied, while the non-verbal reasoning and maths sections will be weighted at 25% each. The total of all scores will then be age-standardised to avoid any potential disadvantage for younger children. This overall mark will be your child's Secondary Transfer Test Score (STTS).

The qualifying score in the Secondary Transfer Test is 121. If your child achieves a score of 121 or higher, they will be eligible for entry to Beaconsfield High School.

Unlike other grammar schools in the country, children in Buckinghamshire are not ranked in order of their scores. Grammar school entry is entirely dependent on whether or not the child has scored 121, and whether they meet the individual school's admission criteria. We've included the admission criteria for Beaconsfield High School below.

Beaconsfield High School admission criteria

There are 180 places available in Year 7 at Beaconsfield High School. Girls who achieve the qualifying score and who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which names the school will be allocated places before the admission criteria is applied.

If the number of eligible children then exceeds the number of places available, the school will apply oversubscription criteria in order:

1. Girls who are Looked After Children or Previously Looked After Children

2. Girls who live within the catchment area and are entitled to free school meals

3. Up to 10 places will be allocated to girls who live within the catchment area, are entitled to the pupil premium and have achieved a standardised score of at least 115

4. Girls who live within the catchment area and have a sister at Beaconsfield High School

5. Daughters of members of Beaconsfield High School Staff (provided they have been employed by the school for at least two years)

6. Girls who live within the catchment area, prioritised by closeness to the school (measured in a straight line)

7. Girls who have exceptional medical or social needs that can only be met at Beaconsfield High School

8. Girls who live outside the catchment area and have a sister at Beaconsfield High School

9. Girls who live outside the catchment area

Beaconsfield High School catchment area

Beaconsfield High School operates a catchment area to prioritise eligible girls living close to the school. The catchment area includes Beaconsfield, Hazlemere, Gerrards Cross, Iver Heath, and some areas around Flackwell Heath and Burham.

A map is available on the school website.

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