Burnham Grammar School vs Chesham Grammar School
Both are grammar schools in Buckinghamshire, 12.4 miles apart. Side-by-side on official DfE, Ofsted and council admissions data.
Side by side
| Burnham Grammar School | Chesham Grammar School | |
|---|---|---|
| Phase | Secondary | Secondary |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Pupils on roll | 1,262 | 1,331 |
| Free school meals | 13.3% | 2.7% |
| Ofsted rating | Good | Not judged |
| Attainment 8 — 2025/26 | 71.4 | 75.6 |
| 11+ test board | GL Assessment | GL Assessment |
| Admission system | pass/fail + catchment (passing the test is a gate; living in the catchment area determines priority over score) | pass/fail + catchment (passing the test is a gate; living in the catchment area determines priority over score) |
| Places offered — 202627 | 180 | 183 |
| First preferences per place — higher means more competition for a first-preference place | 1.92 | 1.69 |
Qualifying scores
Burnham Grammar School
121 (2026 entry)
Standardised score ≥ 121 qualifies for grammar school consideration. Qualifying does not guarantee a place; schools apply own oversubscription criteria after qualification.
Chesham Grammar School
121 (2026 entry)
Standardised score ≥ 121 qualifies for grammar school consideration. Qualifying does not guarantee a place; schools apply own oversubscription criteria after qualification.
Who gets priority
Where a school is oversubscribed, these are the first criteria applied, in order. This is usually what decides an application.
Burnham Grammar School
- Looked after and previously looked after children
- Up to 6 places for looked-after children, or Pupil Premium children in the catchment area, scoring 115–120
- Children in the catchment area eligible for the Pupil Premium
- Children with a sibling on the roll at the date of entry
- Children with a sibling who was previously on the roll
- Exceptional medical or social needs that only this school can meet
Source: school admissions policy.
Chesham Grammar School
- Looked after and previously looked after children
- Up to 6 places for Pupil Premium children in the catchment area scoring 110–120 (looked-after children first)
- Children in the catchment area who qualify for the Pupil Premium
- Siblings of children in Years 7–12 at the school
- Children of permanent staff employed for two years or more (or in a skill-shortage post)
- Children living in the catchment area
Source: school admissions policy.
Choosing between them
Both schools admit mixed, so the decision usually comes down to the admission criteria above and how far each one reaches. The figures on this page are the published ones — they describe intakes and results, not what either school would be like for your child. The right choice depends on your family's own priorities and circumstances.
Other Buckinghamshire comparisons
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs Aylesbury High School
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs Beaconsfield High School
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs Burnham Grammar School
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs Chesham Grammar School
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs Dr Challoner's Grammar School
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs Dr Challoner's High School
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs John Hampden Grammar School
- Aylesbury Grammar School vs Royal Latin School
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