Dr Challoner's Grammar School vs John Hampden Grammar School
Both are grammar schools in Buckinghamshire, 7.8 miles apart. Side-by-side on official DfE, Ofsted and council admissions data.
Side by side
| Dr Challoner's Grammar School | John Hampden Grammar School | |
|---|---|---|
| Phase | Secondary | Secondary |
| Gender | Boys | Boys |
| Pupils on roll | 1,384 | 1,281 |
| Free school meals | 2.5% | 5.4% |
| Ofsted rating | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| Attainment 8 — 2025/26 | 76.2 | 73.1 |
| 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 | 185 | 184 |
| First preferences per place — higher means more competition for a first-preference place | 1.29 | 1.41 |
Qualifying scores
Dr Challoner's 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.
John Hampden 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.
Dr Challoner's Grammar School
- Looked after and previously looked after boys
- Boys in the catchment area receiving the Pupil Premium
- Siblings of students in Years 7–12 living in the catchment area
- Up to 12 places for Pupil Premium or looked-after boys in the catchment area scoring at least 115 (up to 6 of them at 110–114 if unfilled)
- Qualified sons of staff employed for two years or more (or in a skill-shortage post)
- Boys living in the catchment area — nearest first
Source: school admissions policy.
John Hampden Grammar School
- Looked after and previously looked after boys
- 12 places for looked-after, Pupil Premium or Service Premium boys in the catchment area scoring 113–120
- Other Pupil or Service Premium boys in the catchment area scoring 121+
- Brothers of boys in Years 7–12, living in the catchment area
- Boys in the catchment area with a sister at Wycombe High School
- Sons of permanent staff employed for two years or more (or in a skill-shortage post)
Source: school admissions policy.
Choosing between them
Both schools admit boys, 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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