Buckinghamshire is known for its outstanding grammar schools, which consistently produce high-achieving students. If you're considering a grammar school education for your child, it's essential to make an informed choice. In this blog post, we will delve into the best grammar schools in Buckinghamshire, considering various factors that parents often weigh when making this important decision. There are 13 Grammar Schools in Buckinghamshire each with their own strengths and values. Aylesbury Grammar School (boys)
Why choose a Grammar School in Buckinghamshire? Before we dive into the specific schools, let's explore why parents might choose a grammar school education for their children in Buckinghamshire. These institutions, known for their academically selective admissions processes, offer a unique educational experience without the high financial burden of private school fees. Some reasons for choosing grammar schools include:
Academic Excellence: Buckinghamshire grammar schools are renowned for their academic rigor and high standards. Parents who value a challenging and intellectually stimulating environment often opt for these schools to ensure their child receives a top-notch education.
Focused Learning: Grammar schools typically have smaller class sizes, allowing for more individualised attention. This can be particularly beneficial for students who thrive in a focused and disciplined learning environment.
Preparation for Future Success: Many parents believe that grammar schools equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in competitive fields and gain admission to prestigious universities. The strong performance of these schools in A levels and GCSEs is a testament to this.
Curriculum: Grammar schools in Buckinghamshire often prioritise the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) subjects, which include English, mathematics, sciences, humanities, and languages. This commitment to a broad and balanced curriculum can be appealing to parents who want a well-rounded education for their child.
Diverse Extracurricular Opportunities: Beyond academics, Buckinghamshire grammar schools offer a wide range of extracurricular activities. Whether it's sports, arts, or community service, students have the opportunity to explore their interests and develop well-rounded skills.
Strong Ofsted Ratings: All Buckinghamshire grammar schools have received Outstanding or Good Ofsted ratings, providing parents with confidence in the quality of education and pastoral care their child will receive.
Historical Significance: Many of the Buckinghamshire grammar schools have a rich history dating back centuries. Choosing such a school can be a way for parents to connect their child with a tradition of academic excellence and heritage.
Analysis
Best for Academic Excellence
One of the primary reasons families opt for grammar schools is the promise of academic excellence. Let's begin by looking at the performance of these schools in A-levels and GCSEs:
A Level Success: Dr Challoner's Grammar School stands out with an impressive A-level rank of 11 and a remarkable A-level A*-B percentage of 93.6%. Dr Challoner's High School and Sir William Borlase's Grammar School also perform exceptionally well in A-levels.
GCSE Success: Dr Challoner's High School takes the lead here, with a GCSE rank of 30 and an outstanding GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 percentage of 84.6%. Wycombe High School and Beaconsfield High School are also strong contenders.
Value Added: Dr Challoner's Grammar School takes the crown again with an impressive Progress 8 score of 1.19, indicating excellent progress among its students. Chesham Grammar School and John Hampden Grammar School also score well in terms of progress.
EBacc: A study by the UCL Institute of Education shows that studying subjects included in the EBacc provides students with greater opportunities in further education and increases the likelihood that a pupil will stay on in full-time education. Dr Challoner’s High School and Wycombe High School tie with a huge 98% of their students taking the EBacc.
It’s important to keep in mind however, that academic league tables only show a partial picture of different schools. They are based on a narrow set of indicators that do not capture the full range of factors that influence a school’s performance and effectiveness such as extracurricular and super curricular activities, ethos, and pastoral care. Moreover, they do not reflect the individual needs and preferences of each child and their family.
These factors can have a significant impact on a child’s learning and well-being, as they can affect their self-image, motivation, engagement, personal development, mental and physical health, and academic performance. Therefore, academic league tables should be used with caution and complemented with other sources of information, such as school websites, prospectuses, inspection reports, open days, or word-of-mouth recommendations.
Best Buckinghamshire Grammar School for Extracurricular Activities
Beyond academics, extracurricular activities play a vital role in a child's development. Let's explore some of the school’s offerings:
Dr Challoner's Grammar School boasts a wide range of clubs and societies, including robotics, debating, and performing arts, fostering students' talents and interests outside the classroom. Their 2019 Ofsted report stated “The school offers a dazzling array of extra-curricular opportunities. These inspire a diverse range of interests and skills.”
Wycombe High School is renowned for its sports programs, offering opportunities in netball, hockey, and athletics. They also encourage students to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme.
Chesham Grammar School stands out with its strong emphasis on community service and volunteering, instilling a sense of responsibility and empathy in its students.
Best Buckinghamshire Grammar School for SEND Provision While all of the Buckinghamshire grammar schools place a high value on their SEND provision, John Hampden Grammar stand out with their 2022 Ofsted report making a special note: “…pupils with SEND achieve highly and share same enthusiasm for learning as their peers. Their confidence and independence are striking.” Best Buckinghamshire Grammar School for Ofsted Ratings All of the Buckinghamshire schools have received Outstanding or Good Ofsted ratings, demonstrating their commitment to high-quality education. It is worth noting that Royal Latin School, Burnham Grammar School and The Royal Grammar School come in with the lowest rating. However, these schools are still rated as Good, while the others are rated Outstanding. Best Buckinghamshire Grammar School for Likelihood of Admission When choosing a grammar school for your child, admission criteria can be a significant consideration. It's important to note that admission to grammar schools is competitive, and the likelihood of entry can fluctuate from year to year.
To qualify for entry to a Buckinghamshire grammar school candidates must achieve 121 or higher on the Secondary Transfer Test. If a school has more qualified entrants than places they each have their own over-subscription criteria which awards places based on different priorities. Admission priorities are often based on qualification for Pupil Premium or Free School Meals, SEND status, siblings already attending the school, and catchment areas.
Read more about the Secondary Transfer Test In 2023, 3571 pupils qualified for entry and 2338 pupils were awarded Buckinghamshire grammar school places. Living in Buckinghamshire: Dr Challenor's High School awarded 100% of its places to pupils living in Buckinghamshire. Pupils living within catchment are the fifth priority in their over-subscription criteria and the catchment area extends 5.578 miles from the school. Dr Challenor's Grammar School and The Royal Grammar School awarded 99% of their places to those living in Buckinghamshire. Living outside Buckinghamshire: Burnham Grammar School stands out here, having awarded 66% of its places to pupils living outside Buckinghamshire. The majority of those places went to pupils living outside catchment in Slough. Sir William Borlase's Grammar School had the next highest percentage of places awarded to pupils living outside catchment. They awarded 24% of their places to pupils living outside Buckinghamshire. However, most of these still lived within catchment in Windsor and Maidenhead.
It's important to emphasise that "ease of entry" is relative and can vary depending on factors such as the number of applicants in a given year, catchment area, and the results of the entrance exams or tests. Additionally, it's advisable to contact the schools directly or check their websites for the most current admission information, as policies may change over time.
Conclusion
The "best" grammar school in Buckinghamshire can vary depending on your specific priorities and the needs of your child. It's essential to consider factors such as academic performance, extracurricular opportunities, and unique features that resonate with your child's interests and aspirations. Ultimately, the choice should align with your family's values and your child's individual needs.
These rankings and features are based on available data up to 2023, it's always a good idea to visit the schools, speak with current students and parents, and assess the suitability for your child's education. What next?
Once you've chosen your preferred three Buckinghamshire grammar schools for your child, it's essential to ensure they are well-prepared for the challenging Secondary Transfer Test (11+ exam). In addition to regular schoolwork, many parents opt for English and Maths tutoring to enhance their child's readiness for this critical assessment. Arka Learning provides targeted preparation, builds core skills, boosts confidence, and equips your child with the tools needed to excel on exam day.
To find out about how we can help your child secure their preferred school place, just send us an email. Or for additional resources and updates:
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