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School profile Verified 11 September 2026

Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire 11+

The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe

Amersham Road, High Wycombe, HP13 6QT

A selective boys grammar school in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, serving ages 11-18 with a sixth form and around 1,409 pupils on roll.

Grammar school Boys Academy converter Ages 11-18 Sixth form GL Assessment
UK rank
UK Rank #69
Year 7 places
182
Competition ?
High
Ofsted ?
Good
11+ route
GL Assessment
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On this page

At a glance

Key facts

GCSE rank
UK Rank #69
Sector
Grammar school
Admissions
Boys only
Assessment
GL Assessment
Places in Year 7
182
Competition ?
High
Catchment
You can apply from any area, but living in the published local area gives priority for some or all places.
Ofsted ?
Good

Overview

The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe is a selective boys' grammar school on Amersham Road, with day places, weekly boarding and a co-educational sixth form from September 2025. Its heritage is unusually deep: the school traces more than 450 years of history and holds a Royal Charter granted in 1562. The current headmaster's welcome frames that history as tradition that evolves, with an all-round education aimed at leadership, collaboration and meaningful contribution.

Academically, RGS is demanding and broad. The curriculum and enrichment structure includes classics or Latin, modern languages, computer science, creative arts and a substantial sixth form. The school is also clear that results are only part of the offer: its character framework is intended to help pupils speak up, step forward and shape their own path. Public outcomes support the academic reputation, with +1.13 Progress 8 and 98.6% grade 5+ in English and maths recorded by GOV.UK.

The co-curricular life is a defining part of the school. RGS signposts arts, careers provision, character, Combined Cadet Force, co-curricular trips, Duke of Edinburgh, music, pastoral care and sport, while boarding adds another layer through Fraser Youens House and boarding activities. The school describes itself as a place where pupils are known as individuals, whether they are day students or boarders.

Year 7 admission has 182 published places and uses the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. The test has two multiple-choice GL Assessment papers, with the final standardised score weighted 50% verbal, 25% mathematical and 25% non-verbal; a score of 121 or above qualifies a child for Buckinghamshire grammar-school consideration, but higher scores do not bring extra priority under Buckinghamshire rules. Public benchmarks record Ofsted Good in October 2019, 47.7% AAB or better at A level and 74% of 16 to 18 leavers progressing to higher education in the latest destinations data.

Key points
Assessment route
GL Assessment across a 2-stage process, covering English, Verbal reasoning, Maths and Non-verbal reasoning.
Places and demand
182 places in Year 7 and High
Catchment
You can apply from any area, but living in the published local area gives priority for some or all places.
Results
98.6% grade 5+ in English and maths and 73.9 Attainment 8
Sixth form
Sixth form available with 47.7% AAB or better and 74% in higher education.

GCSE benchmark

Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Buckinghamshire and England.

School Local authority England
GCSE benchmark comparison Latest GCSE benchmark measures for Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and England. 0 50 100 Att. 8 5+ E&M EBacc APS EBacc %
Attainment 8
73.9
Grade 5+ English and maths
98.6%
EBacc APS
7.18
EBacc entry
94.7%

Attainment 8 trend

Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Buckinghamshire and England.

School Local authority England
Attainment 8 trend line Attainment 8 over time for Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and England. 100 80 60 40 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/25

Destinations

Latest 2024/25 Year 11 destination mix compared with Buckinghamshire and England.

Education Apprenticeships Employment Other / unknown
Destinations stacked bar comparison Year 11 destinations for Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and England across education, apprenticeships, employment, and other or unknown destinations. 0 50 100 School Local auth. England

School details
Sector
Grammar school
School type
Academy converter
Application
Local authority CAF
Gender
Boys only
Age range
11-18
Headmaster
Mr Philip Wayne
Pupil roll
1,409 pupils
Sixth form
Yes
Boarding
Boarding school
Trust
Royal Grammar School High Wycombe
FSM ?
5.2%
EAL ?
29.5%
EHCP ?
0.5%

Extracurriculars

Choir Duke of Edinburgh Combined Cadet Force Sport

Ethnicity

Pupil ethnicity

Whole-school roll of 1,409 pupils; 1,372 had a recorded ethnic group.

White 42.3% Asian 42.8% Mixed 8.7% Black 2.2% Other 1.3% Unclassified 2.6%

Location and contact

Address

Address
Amersham Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
Postcode
HP13 6QT
Area
Buckinghamshire
Exam area
Buckinghamshire 11+

School leadership

Headmaster
Mr Philip Wayne

School contact

School email
hello@rgshw.com
School phone
01494524955

Admissions contact

Admissions team
Admissions Team
Admissions email
admissions@rgshw.com
Admissions phone
01494 524955
Open in Map Open school website

Admissions
Year 7 places
182 places (2027 entry)
Applications listed
668 applications (2025 entry)
First preferences
213 first preferences (2025 entry)
Competition ?
High
Who can apply
You can apply from any area, but living in the published local area gives priority for some or all places.
Pass mark note
A Secondary Transfer Test score of 121 or above qualifies a child for Buckinghamshire grammar-school consideration. Scores above 121 do not give higher priority in Buckinghamshire admissions rules.

Qualified applications are prioritised through catchment priority areas, with Priority Area A before Priority Area B and straight-line distance used within those groups.

Oversubscription and eligibility

  1. 1

    Looked-after and previously looked-after children

    Qualified looked-after and previously looked-after applicants are prioritised first.

  2. 2

    Reserved Pupil Premium places below 121

    Up to six in-catchment applicants who are looked-after, previously looked-after or eligible for Pupil Premium may be considered with a score of 115 to 120.

  3. 3

    Pupil Premium in catchment

    Qualified Pupil Premium applicants living in the catchment area are prioritised after the reserved-place rule.

  4. 4

    Siblings

    Qualified applicants with a sibling on roll as a day student receive priority.

  5. 5

    Catchment area

    Qualified applicants living in catchment from 1 September before entry are prioritised, with Priority Area A before Priority Area B and straight-line distance within each area.

  6. 6

    Children of staff

    Qualified children of eligible staff are considered after catchment applicants.

Admissions policy

RGS High Wycombe boarding admissions policy 2027

2027 entry

Admissions policy

RGS High Wycombe day admissions policy 2027

2027 entry

Exam and test format

The GL Assessment 11+ entrance test format

The Secondary Transfer Test has two multiple-choice GL Assessment papers. The standardised score is weighted 50% verbal skills, 25% mathematical skills and 25% non-verbal skills; 121 or above qualifies.

Assessment route
GL Assessment
Papers and stages
2 papers
Format
Multiple-choice papers
Weighting
Maths 25% / Reasoning 75%
Age standardisation
Published as age-standardised

Official exam resources

Past papers and practice materials

No released past entrance-test papers are currently verified here. The resources below are labelled by type.

Buckinghamshire test guide

Papers and rounds

  1. Paper 1

    English, Verbal reasoning

    Verbal skills paper

    One GL Assessment paper covers comprehension, technical English and verbal reasoning.

  2. Paper 2

    Maths, Non-verbal reasoning

    Mathematical and non-verbal skills paper

    The second GL Assessment paper covers mathematics, non-verbal reasoning and spatial reasoning.

What the test includes

English, Maths, Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning are included in the published format.

Science is not listed in the current published format.

Included

  • English

  • Maths

  • Verbal reasoning

    One GL Assessment paper covers comprehension, technical English and verbal reasoning.

  • Non-verbal reasoning

    The second GL Assessment paper covers mathematics, non-verbal reasoning and spatial reasoning.

Not listed

  • Science

Application

Key dates

Get date reminders
Find open days and plan a visit

  1. Secondary Transfer Test registration opens

    1 May 2026, 10am

    Past

  2. Secondary Transfer Test registration closes

    2 June 2026, 3pm

    Past

  3. Practice test

    8 September 2026

    Past

  4. Secondary Transfer Test

    10 September 2026

    Past

  5. Secondary Transfer Test results

    9 October 2026

  6. Secondary application deadline

    31 October 2026

  7. National Offer Day

    1 March 2027

  8. Year 7 open evening

    15 September 2026

    5.30pm-8pm; booking required.

  9. Open morning

    12 October 2026

    Booking opens on 1 October.

  10. Open morning

    14 October 2026

    Booking opens on 1 October.

How to apply

  1. 1

    Check the 2027 admissions policy

    Review the PAN, catchment rules and oversubscription order before registration opens.

    Read policy
  2. 2

    Register for the Secondary Transfer Test

    Out-of-county and non-partner-school families register with Buckinghamshire Council by 3pm on 2 June 2026.

    View registration dates
  3. 3

    Sit the practice test and transfer test

    The practice test is on 8 September 2026 and the Secondary Transfer Test is on 10 September 2026.

    View test timetable
  4. 4

    Submit the secondary application

    List the school by the 31 October 2026 secondary application deadline after results are issued.

    View application timeline

Official admissions documents

Admissions policy

RGS High Wycombe boarding admissions policy 2027

2027 entry

Admissions policy

RGS High Wycombe day admissions policy 2027

2027 entry

Results

Inspection
View report
Good

Latest inspection: 10 October 2019

Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Good
Sixth form provision
Outstanding

Quick summary

  • Overall effectiveness: The school remains listed as Good from its last graded inspection, while the 2025 ungraded evidence suggested work may have improved significantly across all areas. The report describes strong academic ambition, careful pastoral care, character development and extensive enrichment.
  • Quality of education: The curriculum was described as highly ambitious and thoughtfully sequenced from Year 7. Staff adapt work for pupils with SEND, check readiness before increasing difficulty, promote reading across subjects and use feedback to help pupils deepen learning.
  • Behaviour and attitudes: Pupils showed exceptionally positive behaviour and relationships, grounded in the values of respect, integrity and aspiration. Attendance and behaviour were addressed quickly when concerns arose, including through the Student Development Centre for pupils needing targeted support.
  • Personal development: Character and community were strong features. Pupils took part in many trips and activities, with access supported regardless of background, while the personal development curriculum revisited safety, relationships and online conduct from Year 7 to 13.
  • Leadership and management: Leaders' improvement work was described as highly effective, and trustees' oversight was strong. Staff felt respected and workload was considered, while preparations for the new co-educational sixth form were reported as thorough and thoughtful.
  • Sixth form provision: Sixth-form students were strong role models for younger pupils. Lessons gave regular opportunities for rich discussion of complex ideas, and the school was carefully preparing for its move to a co-educational sixth form.

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Shortlist comparisons

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Related pages and guides

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Grammar School Standardised Scores Explained

A guide to grammar school standardised scores, raw marks, age standardisation, qualifying scores, ranks and why 11+ scores differ by route.

Guide

How to Read a Grammar School Admissions Policy

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What assessment types does Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe use?

Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe currently uses GL Assessment.

How do I apply to Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe?

1. Check the 2027 admissions policy: Review the PAN, catchment rules and oversubscription order before registration opens. 2. Register for the Secondary Transfer Test: Out-of-county and non-partner-school families register with Buckinghamshire Council by 3pm on 2 June 2026. 3. Sit the practice test and transfer test: The practice test is on 8 September 2026 and the Secondary Transfer Test is on 10 September 2026. 4. Submit the secondary application: List the school by the 31 October 2026 secondary application deadline after results are issued.

When are the key dates for Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe?

Secondary Transfer Test registration opens: 1 May 2026, 10am. Secondary Transfer Test registration closes: 2 June 2026, 3pm. Practice test: 8 September 2026. Secondary Transfer Test: 10 September 2026. Secondary Transfer Test results: 9 October 2026. Secondary application deadline: 31 October 2026. National Offer Day: 1 March 2027. Year 7 open evening: 15 September 2026. Open morning: 12 October 2026. Open morning: 14 October 2026

What does the latest inspection picture look like for Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe?

Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe is currently rated Good following the latest published inspection dated 10 October 2019.