The best grammar schools in Buckinghamshire

If you’re considering a selective state grammar school in Buckinghamshire for your child’s education, you have plenty of options with thirteen Buckinghamshire grammar schools to choose from. There are high-performing grammar schools, too – nine are among the top 100 state secondary schools in the UK.

Buckinghamshire grammar schools ranking

Discover the best grammar schools in Buckinghamshire according to the Sunday Times Parent Power league table for 2023.

1. Dr Challoner’s Grammar School

©character-education.org

Dr Challoner’s Grammar School was founded in the 17th century. It provides a grammar school education in Amersham for boys aged 11–18 and girls aged 16–18. It is consistently listed among the best Buckinghamshire grammar schools; beyond exam results, the school boasts a ‘School of Character’ kitemark and it was recently named the best sporting state school in the country.

• Town: Amersham

• Local council: Buckinghamshire County Council

• Gender: boys 11–16, mixed sixth form

• Number of pupils: 1,365

• GCSE results (2022): 77.1% A*/A/9/8/7

• A level results (2022): 93.6% A*–B

• National rank for state secondary schools (2023): 23

Dr Challoner’s Grammar School admissions guide

2. Dr Challoner's High School

©wikipedia.org

Dr Challoner’s High School is a prominent selective grammar school for girls, located in Little Chalfont in Buckinghamshire and surrounded by outstanding natural beauty. From this ‘OFSTED Outstanding’ learning community, almost all students choose to attend university and most go to world-class institutions including Oxford and Cambridge.

• Town: Little Chalfont

• Local council: Buckinghamshire County Council

• Gender: girls 11–18

• Number of pupils: 1,290

• GCSE results (2022): 84.6% A*/A/9/8/7

• A level results (2022): 87.7% A*–B

• National rank for state secondary schools (2023): 28

Dr Challoner’s High School admissions guide

3. Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School

©tes.com

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School is a 400-year-old coeducational grammar school in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. It is ranked outstanding by Ofsted and is well-known for its national achievements in rowing and hockey.

• Town: Marlow

• Local council: Buckinghamshire County Council

• Gender: mixed

• Number of pupils: 1,165

• GCSE results (2022): 79% A*/A/9/8/7

• A level results (2022): 88% A*–B

• National rank for state secondary schools (2023): 38

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School admissions guide

4. Wycombe High School

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Wycombe High School was founded in 1901 as the first state girls’ grammar school in Buckinghamshire. Ofsted praised the school’s quality of teaching, the exemplary behaviour of students and the high quality of pastoral care.

• Town: High Wycombe

• Local council: Buckinghamshire County Council

• Gender: girls 11–18

• Number of pupils: 1,320

• GCSE results (2022): 82.1% A*/A/9/8/7

• A level results (2022): 85.6% A*–B

• National rank for state secondary schools (2023): 42

Wycombe High School admissions guide

5. Beaconsfield High School

©beaconsfieldhigh.bucks.sch.uk

Beaconsfield High School is a girls’ grammar school in the market town of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. Beaconsfield High School is one of only 45 schools in the country that has been recognised as an Exceptional School.

• Town: Beaconsfield

• Local council: Buckinghamshire County Council

• Gender: girls

• Number of pupils: 1,272

• GCSE results (2022): 80.4% A*/A/9/8/7

• A level results (2022): 85.4% A*–B

• National rank for state secondary schools (2023): 48

Beaconsfield High School admissions guide

What are grammar schools?

Grammar schools are a type of UK state secondary school. While they are government-funded and free for children to attend (unlike private schools), they select their pupils based on academic performance. This means that to secure a place at a grammar school, your child will need to pass an entrance exam known as the 11 plus (11+).

Learn more in our complete guide to grammar schools.

How many grammar schools are there in Buckinghamshire?

There are thirteen grammar schools in Buckinghamshire:

• Aylesbury Grammar School

• Aylesbury High School

• Beaconsfield High School

• Burnham Grammar School

• Chesham Grammar School

• Dr Challoner’s Grammar School

• Dr Challoner’s High School

• John Hampden Grammar School

• The Royal Grammar School

• Royal Latin School

• Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School

• Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School

• Wycombe High School

How to get into a grammar school in Buckinghamshire

If you would like your child to be considered for a place in Year 7 at a Buckinghamshire grammar school, they will need to pass the Secondary Transfer Test. This is an 11 plus test administered by a consortium called The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS).

Children take the test in September while they’re in Year 6. They take two papers which assess a combination of verbal, mathematical, and non-verbal skills.

Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools 11 Plus

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test practice papers

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