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John Hampden Grammar School catchment area

High Wycombe · boys grammar school · ages 11 to 18
Admissions
Catchment area
(distance priority)
Intake
Boys · ages 11 to 18
11+ test
Bucks Secondary Transfer Test
Year 7 places
180
Location
High Wycombe, Bucks
Catchment, explained

How catchment works at John Hampden Grammar School

John Hampden Grammar School draws its intake using a designated catchment or distance priority around High Wycombe. To be considered your child first needs to pass Bucks Secondary Transfer Test, which makes them eligible but does not guarantee a place.

After passing the STT (121+), places go by looked-after/pupil-premium, siblings, staff, then catchment boys, then all other boys; distance breaks ties. The qualifying distance shifts every year with demand, so a postcode that was inside the catchment one year can fall outside it the next.

Bottom line: for John Hampden Grammar School, both things matter, your child must pass the 11+, and you generally need to live close enough to clear that year's distance cut-off.
Grammar schools near High Wycombe
Bucks
Nearby options

Other grammar schools near High Wycombe

Wycombe High School
High Wycombe · Catchment area
0.5 miles away
The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
High Wycombe · Catchment area
0.9 miles away
Sir William Borlase's Grammar School
Marlow · Catchment area
4.0 miles away
Beaconsfield High School
Beaconsfield · Catchment area
4.7 miles away
Dr Challoner's Grammar School
Amersham · Catchment area
7.0 miles away
Burnham Grammar School
Burnham · Catchment area
7.5 miles away
Applying

Sitting the 11+ for John Hampden Grammar School

1

Register

Sign up for Bucks Secondary Transfer Test with the school or local authority, usually by early summer before Year 6 begins.

2

Sit the test

Your child takes the test in September of Year 6. Results follow in October, before the 31 October secondary application deadline.

3

Get your place

Pass, then your home distance decides. List High Wycombe schools by preference on the application.

FAQs

John Hampden Grammar School catchment, your questions answered

Does John Hampden Grammar School have a catchment area?+
Yes. It has a catchment area; qualified boys from outside may apply but rank behind catchment boys for places.
Is John Hampden Grammar School super-selective?+
No. John Hampden Grammar School is a selective grammar with a catchment or distance priority, so both a qualifying mark and your home address affect whether you get a place.
How is the catchment for John Hampden Grammar School measured?+
After passing the STT (121+), places go by looked-after/pupil-premium, siblings, staff, then catchment boys, then all other boys; distance breaks ties. Distances are normally measured in a straight line from your home to the school, and the cut-off moves each year with demand.
What test does my child sit for John Hampden Grammar School?+
Children applying to John Hampden Grammar School sit Bucks Secondary Transfer Test, usually at the start of Year 6. Register with the school or local authority before the summer deadline in Year 5.
How many places does John Hampden Grammar School offer?+
John Hampden Grammar School admits 180 pupils into Year 7 each year. With far more qualifiers than places, the score needed in practice is well above the basic pass mark.
Can we apply to John Hampden Grammar School from outside the area?+
Yes, you can always apply. In quieter years out-of-area children are offered places, but in-catchment families take priority, so it is less predictable.
Does passing the 11+ guarantee a place at John Hampden Grammar School?+
No. Passing qualifies your child, the place then depends on the admissions priorities, most often home-to-school distance.
When do we register for the Bucks Secondary Transfer Test?+
Registration usually opens in the spring or early summer of Year 5 and closes before the test, which is sat in September of Year 6. Results come back in October, the secondary application deadline is 31 October, and offers are sent on national offer day, 1 March. Always confirm the exact dates with John Hampden Grammar School or your local authority.

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Catchment and admissions details change every year. This page is an indicative guide for parents, always confirm the current catchment area, distances, places and test arrangements directly with John Hampden Grammar School and your local authority before applying.