High Wycombe is one of the best-served towns in the country for grammar schools. With three in the town and several more within easy reach, many local families consider a selective school for their child. Knowing how the schools differ, how places are allocated and what to think about when choosing will help you make the right decision. This guide gives you the essentials.
What Is a Grammar School?
A grammar school is a state-funded secondary school that selects pupils based on academic ability. There are no tuition fees. In Buckinghamshire, entry is through the Secondary Transfer Test, taken in September of Year 6. Our guide to the Buckinghamshire 11 plus explains the test in detail.
Grammar Schools in High Wycombe
John Hampden Grammar School
A boys’ grammar school in High Wycombe, popular with families across the town and surrounding villages.
Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
A boys’ grammar school with a long history, known for its academic tradition and wide range of activities.
Wycombe High School
A girls’ grammar school in High Wycombe, offering a selective education for girls from across the area.
Grammar Schools Near High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire has 13 grammar schools in total. Those most often considered by High Wycombe families include:
- Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School, Marlow: co-educational
- Beaconsfield High School, Beaconsfield: girls
- Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, Amersham: boys
- Dr Challoner’s High School, Little Chalfont: girls
- Chesham Grammar School, Chesham: co-educational
Families wanting a co-educational grammar often look at Marlow and Chesham, as the three High Wycombe grammars are single-sex.
How Grammar School Places Are Allocated
Qualifying
Children who achieve a standardised score of 121 or above in the Secondary Transfer Test qualify for a Buckinghamshire grammar school.
Oversubscription criteria
Qualifying does not guarantee a place at a particular school. Popular schools use oversubscription criteria, which often include catchment areas and distance from home. Each school publishes its own admissions policy, so read these carefully and check how your address fits.
Applying
You name your preferred schools on your home local authority’s secondary school application, usually by 31 October of Year 6. Test results come out in early October, so you will know whether your child has qualified before the deadline.
Choosing the Right Grammar School
Go to open evenings
Most grammar schools hold open events in the summer and autumn. Visit several to compare the atmosphere, pastoral care and opportunities.
Think about single-sex or co-educational
Some children flourish in a single-sex environment, while others prefer mixed schools. Talk to your child about how they feel.
Consider the journey
A short walk across High Wycombe is very different from a daily journey to Amersham or Marlow. Check travel times and bus routes.
Look beyond results
Exam results matter, but so do pastoral care, sport, music, drama and the sixth form. Ask current pupils what they enjoy most and how the school helped them settle in Year 7. A school where your child feels happy and known is the one where they are most likely to thrive.
Keep options open
Include both grammar and non-grammar schools on your application, so your child has a good choice whatever the result.
Preparing for Grammar School Entry
The best preparation is a strong, broad education that builds confident reading, reasoning and maths over many years, alongside familiarity with the test format in Year 5. Keeping the process calm is just as important. Read our guide to preparing for the 11 plus without the pressure.
From Crown House to Grammar School
At Crown House Preparatory School, based at Bassetsbury Manor in High Wycombe, around 80% of our pupils go on to local grammar schools, while others move to excellent maintained and independent senior schools. Our October 2023 Independent Schools Inspectorate report noted that “many are successful in gaining a place at local selective schools when they leave.”
We are non-selective, and we measure success by every child’s progress from their own starting point. Teachers tailor senior school preparation to each child, and we support families through applications, assessments and interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are three: John Hampden Grammar School (boys), the Royal Grammar School (boys) and Wycombe High School (girls).
Yes. Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in Marlow and Chesham Grammar School are co-educational.
No. Grammar schools are state-funded, so there are no tuition fees.
No. A score of 121 or above qualifies your child, but places are allocated using each school’s oversubscription criteria, such as catchment areas.
