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School profile Verified 2 June 2026

Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire 11+

Wycombe High School

Marlow Road, High Wycombe, HP11 1TB

A selective girls grammar school in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, serving ages 11-18 with a sixth form and around 1,361 pupils on roll.

Girls Academy converter Ages 11-18 Sixth form GL Assessment
UK rank
UK Rank #68
Year 7 places
192
Competition i
High
Ofsted
Outstanding
11+ route
GL Assessment
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On this page

At a glance

Key facts

GCSE rank
UK Rank #68
Admissions
Girls only
Assessment
GL Assessment
Places in Year 7
192
Competition i
High
Catchment
Qualified girls living in catchment are prioritised before outside-catchment categories. Straight-line distance is the final criterion.
Ofsted
Outstanding

Overview

Wycombe High School is a selective girls' grammar in High Wycombe with about 1,361 pupils and a history that began in September 1901 with 18 fee-paying students and three staff. The school moved through earlier town sites before settling on Marlow Hill in 1956, later adding technology, sport and drama blocks, the Wainwright Learning Centre, a Music Centre and an all-weather pitch.

Its current ethos is confident and distinctive. Wycombe High talks about students relishing challenge, chasing excellence and inspiring others, with values including infectious joy, limitless ambition, insatiable curiosity and generous spirit. The curriculum includes computing, design and technology, personal development and sixth-form study, while sport, music, drama, houses, leadership and the library give the school a lively all-round grammar feel.

Year 7 admission is through Buckinghamshire's Secondary Transfer Test. The published admission number is 192. The test score is age-standardised and weighted 50% verbal skills, 25% mathematical skills and 25% non-verbal skills; a score of 121 or above qualifies for Buckinghamshire grammar-school entry before Wycombe High's catchment, sister, partner-feeder and distance criteria are applied.

Wycombe High's public performance profile is very strong: Ofsted Outstanding, high Progress 8, 99.5% grade 5+ in English and maths and a sizeable sixth form. The admissions decision is therefore as much about Buckinghamshire transfer-test qualification and catchment detail as it is about the school's academic reputation.

Key points
Assessment route
GL Assessment across a 2-stage process, covering English, Maths, Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning.
Places and demand
192 places in Year 7 and High
Catchment
Qualified girls living in catchment are prioritised before outside-catchment categories. Straight-line distance is the final criterion. Last distance offered: 11.25 miles.
Results
99.5% grade 5+ in English and maths and 73.9 Attainment 8
Sixth form
Sixth form available with 27.7% AAB or better and 70% 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 Wycombe High School, Buckinghamshire, and England. 0 50 100 Att. 8 5+ E&M EBacc APS EBacc %
Attainment 8
73.9
Grade 5+ English and maths
99.5%
EBacc APS
7.16
EBacc entry
96.3%

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 Wycombe High School, 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 Wycombe High School, Buckinghamshire, and England across education, apprenticeships, employment, and other or unknown destinations. 0 50 100 School Local auth. England

School details
School type
Academy converter
Admissions
Girls only
Age range
11-18
Headteacher
Mrs Nicola Renyard
Pupil roll
1,361 pupils
Sixth form
Yes
Trust
Wycombe High School Academies Trust
FSM i
7.9%
EAL i
16.6%
EHCP i
0.3%

Extracurriculars

Sport

Ethnicity

January 2025 school census

Pupil ethnicity

Whole-school roll of 1,361 pupils; 1,336 had a recorded ethnic group.

White 38.3% Asian 48.5% Mixed 7.8% Black 2.3% Other 1.3% Unclassified 1.8%
Recorded group Share Category Pupils
White British White 454
Indian Asian 273
Pakistani Asian 264
Any other Asian background Asian 83
Any other White background White 65
Any other mixed background Mixed 45
White and Asian Mixed 43
African Black 25
Unclassified Unclassified 25
Chinese Asian 20
Bangladeshi Asian 19
Any other ethnic group Other 18
White and Black Caribbean Mixed 15
Caribbean Black 7
White and Black African Mixed 3
Irish White 2

Location and contact

Address

Address
Marlow Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
Postcode
HP11 1TB
Area
Buckinghamshire
Exam area
Buckinghamshire 11+

School leadership

Headteacher
Mrs Nicola Renyard

School contact

School email
office@whs.bucks.sch.uk
School phone
0149452396101494897328

Admissions contact

Admissions team
admissions team
Admissions email
office@whs.bucks.sch.uk
Admissions phone
01494523961
Open in Map Open school website

Admissions
Year 7 places
192 places (2028 entry)
Applications listed
615 applications (2025 entry)
First preferences
227 first preferences (2025 entry)
Competition i
High
Catchment picture
Qualified girls living in catchment are prioritised before outside-catchment categories. Straight-line distance is the final criterion.
Residence requirement
No residence rule is currently confirmed
Last distance offered
11.25 miles (2026 entry)
Pass mark note
A Secondary Transfer Test score of 121 or above qualifies a child for Buckinghamshire grammar-school entry.

Qualified girls living in catchment are prioritised before outside-catchment categories. Straight-line distance is the final criterion.

Oversubscription and eligibility

  1. 1

    Looked after and previously looked after girls in catchment

    Qualified girls who are looked after or previously looked after and live in catchment are prioritised first.

  2. 2

    Catchment pupil premium or service premium

    Qualified girls in catchment who are eligible for pupil premium or service premium are prioritised next.

  3. 3

    Catchment sisters

    Qualified girls in catchment with a sister on roll are prioritised.

  4. 4

    Catchment partner feeder schools

    Qualified girls in catchment attending a named partner feeder school are prioritised.

  5. 5

    Other catchment girls

    Other qualified girls living in catchment are prioritised before outside-catchment categories.

  6. 6

    Outside catchment sisters

    Qualified girls outside catchment with a sister on roll are considered next.

Admissions policy

Determined admissions policy from September 2027

2027 entry

Information booklet

Marking the Secondary Transfer Test

Exam and test format

The GL Assessment 11+ entrance test format

Secondary Transfer Test marks are age-standardised and weighted as 50% verbal skills, 25% mathematical skills and 25% non-verbal skills.

Assessment route
GL Assessment
Papers and stages
2 papers
Format
Multiple-choice papers
Weighting
English 50% / Maths 25% / Reasoning 25%
Age standardisation
Published as age-standardised

Shared exam route

Practice for this school's entrance test

Wycombe High School uses the shared Buckinghamshire route. Use these common practice resources for the route, then check the full consortium guide for the complete set and current test guidance.

View all Buckinghamshire practice papers
Practice paper Maths

GL Assessment Maths Practice Paper 1

Practice paper Non-Verbal Reasoning

GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths Practice Paper

Practice paper Verbal Reasoning

GL Assessment Verbal Reasoning Paper 1

Practice paper Maths

GL Assessment Maths Practice Paper 2

Papers and rounds

  1. Paper 1

    English, Verbal reasoning

    Paper 1

    Multiple-choice verbal-skills paper covering comprehension, technical English and verbal reasoning.

  2. Paper 2

    Maths, Non-verbal reasoning

    Paper 2

    Multiple-choice mathematics and non-verbal skills paper, including 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

    Multiple-choice verbal-skills paper covering comprehension, technical English and verbal reasoning.

  • Non-verbal reasoning

    Multiple-choice mathematics and non-verbal skills paper, including spatial reasoning.

Not listed

  • Science

Application

Key dates

  1. Secondary Transfer Test registration opens

    10am on 1 May 2026

    Past

  2. Secondary Transfer Test registration closes

    3pm on 2 June 2026

    Past

  3. Test invitation email

    by 7 August 2026

  4. Practice Test

    8 September 2026

  5. Secondary Transfer Test

    10 September 2026

  6. Secondary Transfer Test results

    after 4pm on 9 October 2026

  7. Secondary application deadline

    31 October 2026

  8. National Offer Day

    1 March 2027

How to apply

  1. 1

    Register for the Secondary Transfer Test

    Registration opens at 10am on 1 May 2026 and closes at 3pm on 2 June 2026 for children who need to register.

    Register
  2. 2

    Sit the Secondary Transfer Test

    Practice testing is on 8 September 2026 and the Transfer Test is on 10 September 2026 for most candidates.

    Check test dates
  3. 3

    Submit the secondary application

    Submit the secondary school application to the home local authority by 31 October 2026.

    Open admissions page

Official admissions documents

Admissions policy

Determined admissions policy from September 2027

2027 entry

Information booklet

Marking the Secondary Transfer Test

Key dates

Admissions page

2027 entry

Key dates

Register for the Secondary Transfer Test

2027 entry

Results

Attainment snapshot

Progress 8 i
+0.90 Progress 8
Attainment 8 i
73.9 Attainment 8
GCSE results
99.5% grade 4+ in English and maths
Grade 5+ English and maths i
99.5% grade 5+ in English and maths
EBacc average point score i
7.16 EBacc APS
A-level results
27.7% AAB or better
A-level average points
42.22 points per entry

Where students go next

Higher education progression
70% in higher education
Apprenticeships
4% in apprenticeships
Employment
18% in sustained employment

Latest official destinations data currently covers 2022/23 study leavers.

Subject performance

Maths
96.8% grade 5+ in EBacc maths
English
98.4% grade 5+ in EBacc English
Sciences
96.7% grade 5+ in EBacc sciences
Languages
86.7% grade 5+ in EBacc languages

Performance trends

Recent trend

Overall GCSE performance

This follows the school's published overall GCSE score across the subjects pupils take. Higher is better.

Wycombe High School Grammar schools England
Overall GCSE performance across 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 for Wycombe High School, grammar schools, and England. 100 85 70 55 40 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Year This school Grammar schools England
2021/22 79.4 74.2 49.4
2022/23 74.6 71.8 47.0
2023/24 75.5 72.1 46.7
2024/25 73.9 72.3 46.8

Recent trend

Average A-level result

This follows the published average A-level result for the school's sixth form. Higher is better.

Wycombe High School Grammar schools England
Average A-level result across 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 for Wycombe High School, grammar schools, and England. 50 pts 45 pts 40 pts 35 pts 30 pts 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Year This school Grammar schools England
2021/22 A- average (47.2 points) 44.0 points 37.5 points
2022/23 B+ average (43.6 points) 40.5 points 33.7 points
2023/24 B+ average (42.0 points) 41.3 points 34.5 points
2024/25 B+ average (42.2 points) 41.8 points 35.0 points

Recent trend

Where pupils go after Year 11

This follows the share of pupils moving into a sustained destination after Year 11, such as education, apprenticeships, or employment.

Wycombe High School Grammar schools England
Where pupils go after Year 11 across 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 for Wycombe High School, grammar schools, and England. 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Year This school Grammar schools England
2021/22 99% 99.1% 94.1%
2022/23 98% 98.9% 93.9%
2023/24 99% 99.0% 93.3%
2024/25 98% 98.7% 91.8%

Latest year breakdown

In education 98%
In apprenticeships 0%
In employment 0%

Inspection
View report
Outstanding

Latest inspection: 1 May 2024

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

Quick summary

  • Overall effectiveness: Outstanding overall, with pupils achieving highly and contributing eagerly to school life. The report describes very high expectations, mutual respect, exceptional enrichment, strong SEND support and a sixth form that combines academic ambition with a well-planned futures programme.
  • Quality of education: The curriculum is highly ambitious, rigorous and carefully sequenced for all pupils. Recall activities, expert explanation and questioning help pupils build detailed knowledge, while SEND and reading needs are identified accurately and supported effectively.
  • Behaviour and attitudes: Behaviour is Outstanding. Pupils show self-control, positive attitudes and respect for staff and each other. Attendance is high, and where absence is higher for a small number of disadvantaged pupils, staff work constructively with families.
  • Personal development: Wider development is exceptional. Pupils join clubs and trips, create new societies, take leadership roles and study PSHEE topics such as toxic masculinity, consent, sleep and healthy eating, alongside strong guidance on university, careers and apprenticeships.
  • Leadership and management: Leaders and trustees focus sharply on the best outcomes for pupils. They know the school well, act on imperfections, provide high-quality staff training and have built a culture where positive relationships and workload support matter.
  • Sixth form provision: The sixth form is described as a beacon of excellence. Students work in an aspirational culture, follow a wider curriculum, use the futures programme to build life skills and leave as ambitious, compassionate and well-rounded young adults.

Similar schools and comparisons

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Local rivals appear first, followed by nearby alternatives where the journey and admissions route are still comparable.

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Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.

Shortlist comparisons

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Explore this school in context

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Related pages and guides

Guides and related reading

Related guides are still being added.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What assessment types does Wycombe High School use?

Wycombe High School currently uses GL Assessment.

How do I apply to Wycombe High School?

1. Register for the Secondary Transfer Test: Registration opens at 10am on 1 May 2026 and closes at 3pm on 2 June 2026 for children who need to register. 2. Sit the Secondary Transfer Test: Practice testing is on 8 September 2026 and the Transfer Test is on 10 September 2026 for most candidates. 3. Submit the secondary application: Submit the secondary school application to the home local authority by 31 October 2026.

When are the key dates for Wycombe High School?

Secondary Transfer Test registration opens: 10am on 1 May 2026. Secondary Transfer Test registration closes: 3pm on 2 June 2026. Test invitation email: by 7 August 2026. Practice Test: 8 September 2026. Secondary Transfer Test: 10 September 2026. Secondary Transfer Test results: after 4pm on 9 October 2026. Secondary application deadline: 31 October 2026. National Offer Day: 1 March 2027

What does the latest Ofsted picture look like for Wycombe High School?

Wycombe High School is currently rated Outstanding following the latest published inspection dated 1 May 2024.