--- type: "Article" title: "Best Grammar Schools in Buckinghamshire (Bucks) Ranked" description: "All 13 Buckinghamshire grammar schools ranked on results and inspection, with entry through the Secondary Transfer Test and the 121 score explained." resource: https://pip11plus.com/best-grammar-schools-in-buckinghamshire tags: ["grammar schools", "pip"] timestamp: 2026-10-13T19:50:09Z image: https://pip11plus.com/info-hub-cards/regional-tests-pip.jpg --- 馃彨 School Choice # The 13 Best Grammar Schools in Buckinghamshire (2026) ![Pip](https://pip11plus.com/media/pip-mark.png) **By the Pip team** Updated June 2026 Buckinghamshire is one of the last fully selective counties in England, with 13 free state grammar schools and no in-between. That makes it a destination for families across the country, but it also makes the system unusually simple in one way and unusually competitive in another: every grammar uses the same test and the same pass mark, so where you live often matters more than the exact score. Below are all 13 Buckinghamshire grammar schools, ranked on results, reputation and inspection. For each one you will find who it is for, how entry works, and why it earns its place. We never run a school down, and the "best" school is always the one that fits your child. **TL;DR** - All **13 Bucks grammars** share **one test**, the **Bucks Secondary Transfer Test (STT)**: verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning. - The qualifying score is **121 for every school**, so the real difference is the **catchment**, not the pass mark. - On results, **RGS High Wycombe** leads on A-level and **Dr Challoner's High** on GCSE, with **Dr Challoner's Grammar** and **Wycombe High** close behind. - Watch one quirk: **RGS is rated "Good", not Outstanding**, despite being the top academic school, a reminder that one grade is not the whole story. ## How we ranked them There is no single official ranking of Buckinghamshire's grammars, so we used a transparent blend of three things: the most recent **published exam results** (2024 and 2025 GCSE and A-level grades where schools have shared them), **reputation and selectivity**, and the latest **inspection** outcome. Because the academic top four are very close, we weighed GCSE and A-level together and used reputation and inspection as the tie-breaker. Two honest caveats. First, every school here is genuinely good, so the order separates strong from strong, and any would be a fine choice. Second, since September 2024 Ofsted no longer gives state schools a single overall grade, so where we say "Outstanding" or "Good" we mean the rating from each school's last graded inspection. Treat the detail as a 2025/2026 snapshot and always confirm the latest on each school's own website. Pip is not affiliated with any school or exam board. _One test and one 121 pass mark cover all 13 Bucks grammars; catchment and distance then decide. [Our Bucks Transfer Test guide](https://pip11plus.com/bucks-transfer-test-11-plus-explained) covers the format and timeline._ ## How 11+ entry in Buckinghamshire works Buckinghamshire keeps things simple at the test stage and competitive at the place stage. Every one of the 13 grammars admits through a single test, the **Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT)**, set by GL Assessment and run centrally by The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools consortium. It covers **verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning**, with no separate English paper, sat in **September of Year 6**, and one sitting counts for all 13 schools at once. Here is the part that matters most. The qualifying score is **121 for every Bucks grammar**, the same mark everywhere, and around 37 percent of children reach it. Qualifying does not guarantee a place. After the 121 threshold, each school applies its own **catchment and distance** criteria, so the difference between an easier and a harder Bucks grammar to get into is the **catchment competition, not the pass mark**. A child can also qualify late through a **Selection Review**. Our [full Bucks Transfer Test guide](https://pip11plus.com/bucks-transfer-test-11-plus-explained) walks through the format, the timeline and the review route, and the [Bucks catchment pages](https://pip11plus.com/grammar-schools/buckinghamshire) show each school's area. 馃摎 Free vocabulary tool ### Verbal reasoning leans on vocabulary Verbal reasoning carries real weight in the Bucks STT, and a wide [vocabulary](https://pip11plus.com/ks2-games-arcade/11-plus-vocabulary-games/) is the quiet advantage behind it. Pip's free vocabulary flashcards turn the words pupils are expected to know in Years 3 to 6 into a quick, gamified daily habit, with kid-friendly meanings, example sentences and a tap-to-hear guide for each word. [Try the vocabulary flashcards 馃殌](https://pip11plus.com/11-plus-vocabulary-year-5) [Pip's free 11+ vocabulary flashcards: a flip card showing a word, its meaning and a say-it guide, with progress and XP](https://pip11plus.com/tools) ## 1 The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe ![The Royal Grammar School High Wycombe homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/royal-grammar-high-wycombe.jpg) _The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe - the county's most selective grammar, and its only boarding option._ - **Who it's for** Boys' grammar, free (co-ed sixth form, day & boarding) 路 High Wycombe - **Entrance exam** Bucks STT: verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning - **Admissions** Score 121 to qualify, then catchment and distance - **Results & Ofsted** Around 60% of A-levels at A\*/A and ~86% at A\*-B (2025), with strong progress; rated Good at its last graded inspection (2025) RGS is the most prestigious and selective grammar in Buckinghamshire, with the strongest A-level profile in the county and the only boarding provision among the 13, which lets boys apply from further afield. It became co-educational in the sixth form from September 2025. Note that its last graded Ofsted was Good rather than Outstanding, a useful reminder that a single inspection grade does not capture a school's full record. ## 2 Dr Challoner's Grammar School ![Dr Challoner's Grammar School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/dr-challoners-grammar.jpg) _Dr Challoner's Grammar School - an elite Amersham boys' grammar and perennial top-three performer._ - **Who it's for** Boys' grammar, free (co-ed sixth form) 路 Amersham - **Entrance exam** Bucks STT: verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning - **Admissions** Score 121 to qualify, then catchment and distance - **Results & Ofsted** Around 64% of GCSEs at grade 9-7 and ~64% of A-levels at A\*/A (2025); rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection (2019) Dr Challoner's is an elite boys' grammar in Amersham and a perennial top-three academic force in the county, pairing 64% of GCSEs at grade 9-7 with one of the strongest A-level profiles in Bucks. Its large co-educational sixth form has a formidable Oxbridge and Russell Group record. ## 3 Wycombe High School ![Wycombe High School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/wycombe-high-school.jpg) _Wycombe High School - the leading girls' grammar in the county, Outstanding since 2012._ - **Who it's for** Girls' grammar, free 路 High Wycombe - **Entrance exam** Bucks STT: verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning - **Admissions** Score 121 to qualify, then catchment and distance - **Results & Ofsted** Around 72% of GCSEs at grade 7-9 (2025); rated Outstanding (2024), held since 2012 Wycombe High is the leading girls' grammar in Buckinghamshire, rated Outstanding since 2012 and celebrating 125 years in 2026. Around 72% of its GCSE grades were 7-9 in 2025, and with some 1,360 girls it pairs strong STEM with a large, popular intake. ## 4 Dr Challoner's High School ![Dr Challoner's High School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/dr-challoners-high.jpg) _Dr Challoner's High School - the highest raw GCSE attainment of any Bucks grammar._ - **Who it's for** Girls' grammar, free 路 Little Chalfont - **Entrance exam** Bucks STT: verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning - **Admissions** Score 121 to qualify, then catchment and distance - **Results & Ofsted** A record ~83% of GCSEs at grade 7-9 and ~57% of A-levels at A\*/A (2025); rated Outstanding (2023) Sister school to Dr Challoner's Grammar, DCHS posted the highest raw GCSE attainment of any Bucks grammar in 2025, with around 83% of grades at 7-9. Outstanding at its 2023 inspection, it has a very strong sixth form and high progression to medicine and Oxbridge, so competition for its Little Chalfont catchment is intense. ## 5 Aylesbury Grammar School ![Aylesbury Grammar School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/aylesbury-grammar.jpg) _Aylesbury Grammar School - the leading boys' grammar in north Buckinghamshire._ - **Who it's for** Boys' grammar, free 路 Aylesbury - **Entrance exam** Bucks STT: verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning - **Admissions** Score 121 to qualify, then catchment and distance - **Results & Ofsted** Around 67% of GCSEs at grade 9-7 (2025); rated Outstanding across all categories (2022) Founded in 1598, Aylesbury Grammar is the leading boys' grammar in the north of the county and one of its oldest schools. Rated Outstanding across all categories in 2022, it has a strong music, CCF and sporting tradition and partners closely with Aylesbury High. ## 6 Beaconsfield High School ![Beaconsfield High School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/beaconsfield-high.jpg) _Beaconsfield High School - a small, elite girls' grammar in the south of the county._ - **Who it's for** Girls' grammar, free 路 Beaconsfield - **Entrance exam** Bucks STT: verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning - **Admissions** Score 121 to qualify, then catchment and distance - **Results & Ofsted** Around 71% of GCSEs at grade 9-7 and ~50% of A-levels at A\*/A (2025); rated Outstanding Known locally as "Becky High", Beaconsfield is a smaller, high-performing girls' grammar in the affluent south of the county, consistently in the national top decile with around 71% of GCSEs at 9-7. Its desirable south-Bucks location makes its catchment tight, so proximity matters as much as the score. ## 7 Sir William Borlase's Grammar School ![Sir William Borlase's Grammar School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/sir-william-borlase.jpg) _Sir William Borlase's Grammar School - a historic, sought-after co-ed grammar in Marlow._ - **Who it's for** Co-educational grammar, free 路 Marlow - **Entrance exam** Bucks STT: verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning - **Admissions** Score 121 to qualify, then catchment and distance - **Results & Ofsted** Around 71% of GCSEs at grade 9-7 and ~50% of A-levels at A\*/A (2024); rated Outstanding Founded in 1624 on a historic riverside site in Marlow, Sir William Borlase's is one of the most sought-after co-educational grammars in Buckinghamshire, rated Outstanding and nationally known for rowing. It has admitted girls since 1987 and combines strong results with a rich co-curricular life. _The Bucks STT puts real weight on verbal and non-verbal reasoning, where real reasoning means patterns like this. [Try 11+ non-verbal reasoning in Pip](https://pip11plus.com/non-verbal-reasoning-questions), unlimited and free._ ## 8 Chesham Grammar School ![Chesham Grammar School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/chesham-grammar.jpg) _Chesham Grammar School - an Outstanding co-ed grammar with standout A-level results._ - **Who it's for** Co-educational grammar, free 路 Chesham - **Entrance exam** Bucks STT: verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning - **Admissions** Score 121 to qualify, then catchment and distance - **Results & Ofsted** Over two-thirds of GCSEs at grade 7-9 and ~60% of A-levels at A\*/A (2025); rated Outstanding (2025) Chesham is a popular co-educational grammar rated Outstanding in 2025, with particularly strong A-level value-added (around 60% A\*/A) and a warm, "happy and welcoming" reputation that families often single out. It is a strong option for those who want co-education near the Chiltern villages. ## 9 Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School ![Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/sir-henry-floyd.jpg) _Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School - the co-ed grammar in Aylesbury, with a strong pastoral reputation._ - **Who it's for** Co-educational grammar, free 路 Aylesbury - **Entrance exam** Bucks STT: verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning - **Admissions** Score 121 to qualify, then catchment and distance - **Results & Ofsted** Around 66% of GCSEs at grade 9-7 (2025); rated Outstanding at its recent inspection Sir Henry Floyd is the co-educational grammar in Aylesbury, alongside the single-sex Aylesbury Grammar and Aylesbury High. A large school of around 1,350, it has a strong pastoral and inclusive reputation and a broad sixth form, making it a popular co-ed choice in the north of the county. ## 10 John Hampden Grammar School ![John Hampden Grammar School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/john-hampden-grammar.jpg) _John Hampden Grammar School - a well-established boys' grammar in High Wycombe._ - **Who it's for** Boys' grammar, free 路 High Wycombe - **Entrance exam** Bucks STT: verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning - **Admissions** Score 121 to qualify, then catchment and distance - **Results & Ofsted** Around 62% of GCSEs at grade 9-7 and ~43% of A-levels at A\*/A (2025); rated Outstanding (2022) John Hampden is a well-established boys' grammar of around 1,150 on Marlow Hill in High Wycombe, named after the Civil War MP. Outstanding at its 2022 inspection, it has strong music and sport alongside dependable academic results, sitting alongside RGS as a boys' option in the town. ## 11 Aylesbury High School ![Aylesbury High School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/aylesbury-high.jpg) _Aylesbury High School - the only girls' grammar in the north of the county._ - **Who it's for** Girls' grammar, free 路 Aylesbury - **Entrance exam** Bucks STT: verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning - **Admissions** Score 121 to qualify, then catchment and distance - **Results & Ofsted** Around 71% of GCSEs at grade 9-7 (2025); rated Outstanding (2023) Aylesbury High is the only girls' grammar in the north of the county, partner to Aylesbury Grammar, with around 1,300 girls. Outstanding at its 2023 inspection, it pairs strong GCSE results with a broad enrichment and sixth-form offer, and is the natural girls' choice for north-Bucks families. ## 12 The Royal Latin School ![The Royal Latin School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/royal-latin-school.jpg) _The Royal Latin School - the county's oldest school, with record A-level results in 2025._ - **Who it's for** Co-educational grammar, free 路 Buckingham - **Entrance exam** Bucks STT: verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning - **Admissions** Score 121 to qualify, then catchment and distance - **Results & Ofsted** Around 59% of A-levels at A\*/A (2025, its strongest year) with strong progress; rated Good (2022), Outstanding for sixth form and behaviour The Royal Latin School in Buckingham is the oldest school in the county, tracing back to 1423, and serves a large rural catchment in the north. Its 2025 A-levels were its strongest ever, at around 59% A\*/A, and although its last overall inspection was Good, it was rated Outstanding for its sixth form, behaviour and personal development. Its wide rural area often makes distance less binding than in the dense south. ## 13 Burnham Grammar School ![Burnham Grammar School homepage](https://pip11plus.com/school-shots/burnham-grammar.jpg) _Burnham Grammar School - a smaller, oversubscribed co-ed grammar in the south of the county._ - **Who it's for** Co-educational grammar, free 路 Burnham - **Entrance exam** Bucks STT: verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning - **Admissions** Score 121 to qualify, then catchment and distance - **Results & Ofsted** Around 56% of GCSEs at grade 9-7 (2025); rated Good (2022) Burnham is a smaller co-educational grammar in the south-east corner of the county near Slough and Maidenhead. Rated Good in 2022 and oversubscribed, it is the most accessible Bucks grammar on raw attainment, though its location means the distance criterion is still competitive. It rounds out a county where every grammar is a genuinely strong, fully selective school. **The same pass mark everywhere, so prepare for the test, not the school** Because all 13 use the same Bucks STT and the same 121 qualifying score, the smart move is to build the verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning the test rewards, then choose schools on catchment and fit. Pip covers it all with unlimited, exam-style questions - [Verbal Reasoning](https://pip11plus.com/verbal-reasoning-questions), [Maths](https://pip11plus.com/maths-questions) and [Non-Verbal Reasoning](https://pip11plus.com/non-verbal-reasoning-questions) - and it helps to understand [how the Bucks Transfer Test works](https://pip11plus.com/bucks-transfer-test-11-plus-explained) and [how to choose which schools to apply to](https://pip11plus.com/how-to-choose-which-grammar-schools-to-apply-to). ### One free app for every Bucks grammar on this list The Bucks STT tests verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning, and the pass mark is the same at all 13. Pip turns it into five calm minutes a day - adaptive, exam-style, and genuinely free. Verbal Reasoning Maths Non-Verbal Reasoning English [Download Pip on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/pip-11-practice/id6775690698) [Get Pip on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pip11plus.app) [Available at Amazon Appstore](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HKGJ4HTP) iPhone, iPad & Android 路 No ads 路 No sign-up 路 Free forever ## Frequently asked questions **What is the best grammar school in Buckinghamshire?** By results and reputation, The Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe leads on A-level, with Dr Challoner's Grammar, Wycombe High and Dr Challoner's High (which has the highest GCSE attainment in the county) close behind. The "best" school, though, is the one that fits your child, so weigh single-sex or co-ed, location and catchment too. **How do you get into a Buckinghamshire grammar school?** All 13 Buckinghamshire grammars admit through one test, the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT), set by GL Assessment and covering verbal reasoning, maths and non-verbal reasoning. It is sat in September of Year 6, and a single sitting counts for every school. A standardised score of 121 qualifies, then each school applies catchment and distance to allocate places. Our [Bucks Transfer Test guide](https://pip11plus.com/bucks-transfer-test-11-plus-explained) has the full timeline. **Do all Buckinghamshire grammar schools have the same pass mark?** Yes. The qualifying score is 121 for all 13 Buckinghamshire grammars, the same mark everywhere. Qualifying does not guarantee a place, though. The real difference between an easier and a harder Bucks grammar to get into is the catchment competition, not the pass mark, because places are then decided by home-to-school distance. **Which Buckinghamshire grammar school is the most selective?** On raw attainment, Dr Challoner's High, The Royal Grammar School High Wycombe and Dr Challoner's Grammar admit the strongest cohorts, so in practice a score well above the 121 qualifying mark plus a tight catchment is needed. Burnham Grammar and The Royal Latin School, which serves a large rural area, tend to be the most accessible on distance. **Are Buckinghamshire grammar schools free?** Yes. All 13 are state-funded and free to attend; only admission is selective, by the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. Many families pay privately for tutoring or practice, but the school place itself costs nothing, unlike a fee-paying independent school. ![Pip](https://pip11plus.com/media/pip-mark.png) Written by **The Pip team** The Pip team builds Pip, the 11+ and KS2 practice app for children in years three to six. We write these guides from real exam formats and past papers. ## Keep reading [The Bucks Transfer Test explained](https://pip11plus.com/bucks-transfer-test-11-plus-explained): Exam Types Bucks The STT: format, the 121 score and the timeline. 7 min read 路 Exam Types [Best Grammar Schools in the UK](https://pip11plus.com/best-grammar-schools-uk): School Choice The country's leading grammars, ranked. 12 min read 路 School Choice [The 11 Best Schools in Greater Manchester](https://pip11plus.com/best-schools-in-greater-manchester): School Choice Another county guide, grammars and independents. 13 min read 路 School Choice ## Aiming for a Bucks grammar? Pip turns 11+ practice into five calm minutes a day across reasoning and maths, the skills the Bucks Transfer Test rewards. [Download Pip on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/pip-11-practice/id6775690698) [Get Pip on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pip11plus.app) [Available at Amazon Appstore](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HKGJ4HTP) [Check your catchment](https://pip11plus.com/grammar-school-catchment-checker) Free forever 路 no sign-up