Bucks Grammar School Admissions: Everything you need to know

Please note that this blog was written in 2017. We now have an up to date full guide to Buckinghamshire grammar schools, which is much more informative and current. You can view this here:

In this blog, Pamela talks you through the application process for Buckinghamshire grammar schools. Here you will find everything you need to know, including: a list of Grammar schools in Bucks, a handy checklist of things to research or consider, information regarding the Transfer Test and key dates for 2018 admissions.

Applying to Grammar schools in Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire has two types of secondary schools: grammar schools and upper/all-ability schools. Upper/all-ability schools accept all students of any ability. Grammar schools accept students based on the results of the ‘Transfer Test’ (formerly known as the 11+). All 13 grammar schools in Buckinghamshire are academies where each school sets its own admission policies, however all students take the same Transfer Test. There are no fees for grammar schools.

Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools

Aylesbury Grammar School, Aylesbury (boys) Aylesbury High School, Aylesbury (girls) Beaconsfield High School, Beaconsfield (girls) Burnham Grammar School, Burnham (mixed) Chesham Grammar School, Chesham (mixed) Dr Challoner’s Grammar School (boys) Dr Challoner’s High School, Little Chalfont (girls) John Hampden Grammar School, High Wycombe (boys) Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe (boys) Royal Latin School, Buckingham (mixed) Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School, Aylesbury (mixed) Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School, Marlow (mixed) Wycombe High School, High Wycombe (girls)

A checklist for applying to secondary school

• Find the catchment area for the schools you like
• Attend the open days in September/October
• Research the admission rules for your shortlisted schools
• Check the transportation to the school
• Make a list of schools in order of priority
• Apply by the deadline (usually October 31^st)

For Buckinghamshire, you are allowed to apply for up to 6 schools. Buckinghamshire uses an ‘Equal Preference Scheme’ in allocating places. This means they do not take into account the order (1-6) of the schools on your application. All the students are listed for each school according to the individual school’s admissions regulations. Each child will be offered one school place at any given time, however, if more than one school can be given, the offer will be for the school you have put higher on the application. It is very important therefore, to list the schools in the order of preference. Offers are usually made at the beginning of March/National Offer Day.

The Transfer Test

The Transfer Test consists of two multiple-choice papers of equal difficulty. Each test is 50 minutes and is presented via an audio soundtrack in separately timed sections. Verbal Reasoning: 50% reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling and grammar Numerical Reasoning: 30% Key Stage 2 addition, multiplication, division and subtraction, mental maths and multi-step problem solving, graphs and tables Non-verbal Reasoning: 20% spatial awareness, logic and deduction, mathematical concepts: symmetry, rotation and reflection You can download the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test Familiarisation Booklet at: https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/1026/familiarisation-booklet-2017-entry.pdf The score needed to automatically qualify for a Buckinghamshire grammar school is 121 or greater. If your child does not achieve 121 or more, you can ask for a Selection Review or an Appeal. Selection Reviews occur between November and January. An admission appeal cannot take place until after March. If your child is already in a Buckinghamshire primary school, they will automatically be registered to take the Transfer Test. If your child is not in a Buckinghamshire primary school, you must register them for the Transfer Test yourself. The deadline for this is usually the end of June in Year 5. The Transfer Test is given in September of Year 6 and the results are available in October before the secondary school application deadline.

A checklist for taking the Transfer Test

• Allow your child to experience working on their own
• Keep distractions and noise to a minimum
• Complete all homework
• Talk about words and what they mean
• Read with your child and ask what has happened in the section
• Allow your child to problem solve on their own

Children born between 1st September 2006 and 31st August 2007 will take the exam on Thursday 14th September 2017 to secure a Buckinghamshire grammar place for September 2018. The 2017 Buckinghamshire Transfer Test results will be released on 13th October 2017. Further information can be found on the Buckinghamshire County Council website: http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/education/school-admissions/moving-up-to-secondary-school/