Grammar schools in Bracknell Forest
There are no grammar schools in Bracknell Forest.
Grammar schools are state secondaries that select by ability, usually through an 11+ test. Only 46 of the 226 local authorities in the UK still have any — Bracknell Forest is one of the majority that does not, so local state secondaries admit without a selective test.
The nearest is Reading School, about 9.1 miles away in Reading.
Could a child from Bracknell Forest get a place?
Passing the test is not enough. These schools give places first to children in their priority groups, such as looked-after children, siblings and children in the school's own catchment area. Any places left go to other children who passed, nearest home first. A child from Bracknell Forest without one of those priorities competes for those last places, so what matters is how far they reached.
| School | Intake | Last place by distance, 2026 | Earlier years | Bracknell Forest postcodes within that distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnham Grammar School | Mixed | 2.7 miles | 2025: 3.4 mi; 2024: 2.1 mi | none |
The furthest straight-line distance from home at which each school offered a place by distance on National Offer Day, from the council's allocation figures. The distance changes every year, and later rounds can stretch it slightly. The postcode share uses ONS postcode centres, so it counts postcodes, not households.
Schools that rank by test score
These schools rank children by test score, not by distance from home. A home in Bracknell Forest does not count against a child.
| School | Intake | How places are decided, 2027 entry | Bracknell Forest postcodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upton Court Grammar School | Mixed | Up to 120 of the 165 places go in order of test score wherever the child lives. The remaining places go to the nearest homes. (school's policy) | No area limit |
From each school's own admission arrangements for September 2027 entry. Priority groups such as looked-after children and children on Pupil Premium come before these rules. The postcode share uses ONS postcode centres and straight-line distance, so it counts postcodes, not households; a home near the edge of an area should be checked with the school.
Key dates
- 31 October 2026: deadline to apply for a secondary place, through Bracknell Forest Council even for schools in another council
Each school or group of schools sets its own test, with a registration window months before the test itself, and parents register their child directly.
Nearest grammar schools to Bracknell Forest
Straight-line distance from the centre of Bracknell Forest — not a travel time.
| School | Area | Distance | Intake | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading School | Reading | 9.1 miles | Boys | Outstanding |
| Kendrick School | Reading | 9.6 miles | Girls | Outstanding |
| Burnham Grammar School | Slough | 10.1 miles | Mixed | Good |
| Herschel Grammar School | Slough | 10.3 miles | Mixed | Outstanding |
| Upton Court Grammar School | Slough | 10.4 miles | Mixed | Outstanding |
| St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School | Slough | 10.7 miles | Mixed | Outstanding |
Published admissions priorities
These are extracts from school-specific arrangements for the entry years shown, in priority order. They are not the full policy or a prediction of an offer. Check the linked arrangement for test eligibility, deadlines and all remaining priorities.
Reading School — 2026 entry
- Category 1: (Previously) Looked After Children, with a score up to 5 marks below the eligible score (published source)
- Category 2: Pupil or Service Premium children living within the catchment area, score up to 5 marks below eligible score (published source)
- Category 3: Children within the catchment area with a demonstrated significant social or welfare need (written professional evidence required) (published source)
Kendrick School — 2026 entry
- Looked after child or previously looked after child (lower qualifying score, 5 marks below standard threshold) (published source)
- In receipt of Pupil/Service Premium on 31 Aug, permanent home address within Priority Area 1 or 2 (lower qualifying score) (published source)
- Up to 75% of places (96 of 128): permanent home address within Priority Area 1 or 2, by rank order of score (published source)
Burnham Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked after and previously looked after children (published source)
- Up to 6 places for looked-after children, or Pupil Premium children in the catchment area, scoring 115–120 (published source)
- Children in the catchment area eligible for the Pupil Premium (published source)
Herschel Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked After Children (accommodated or taken into care under Children Act 1989 s.20/31/38) (published source)
- Home address within 4 miles of the school (straight line), ranked by distance (closest first) (published source)
- Up to 10 places: Pupil Premium, home address within 10 miles of the school, ranked by distance (published source)
Upton Court Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked after child or previously looked after child (published source)
- Up to 20 places: currently or within the last 6 years eligible for Free School Meals (Pupil Premium), ranked by 11+ score then distance (published source)
- Children of Pioneer Educational Trust staff employed ≥2 years (0.5 FTE+) or skills-shortage recruit (published source)
Schools in Bracknell Forest
Bracknell Forest has 45 open schools. Browse all Bracknell Forest schools with Ofsted ratings, catchment areas and admission criteria, or see them on the map.
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