John Hampden Grammar School vs Sir William Borlase's Grammar School
Both are grammar schools in Buckinghamshire, 3.3 miles apart. Side-by-side on official DfE, Ofsted and council admissions data.
Side by side
| John Hampden Grammar School | Sir William Borlase's Grammar School | |
|---|---|---|
| Phase | Secondary | Secondary |
| Gender | Boys | Mixed |
| Pupils on roll | 1,281 | 1,222 |
| Free school meals | 5.4% | 3.4% |
| Ofsted rating | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| Attainment 8 — 2025/26 | 73.1 | 76.7 |
| 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 | 184 | 146 |
| First preferences per place — higher means more competition for a first-preference place | 1.41 | 1.76 |
Qualifying scores
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.
Sir William Borlase'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.
Who gets priority
Where a school is oversubscribed, these are the first criteria applied, in order. This is usually what decides an application.
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.
Sir William Borlase's Grammar School
- Looked after and previously looked after children scoring at least 110
- Up to 20 places for Pupil Premium children in the catchment area scoring 110–120 — nearest first
- Pupil Premium children in the catchment area scoring 121+
- Up to 15 places for children living in the Priority Admissions Area, by random lottery
- Children of staff employed for two years or more (or in a skill-shortage post)
- Children living in the catchment area (including the priority area)
Source: school admissions policy.
Choosing between them
John Hampden Grammar School is a boys school and Sir William Borlase's Grammar School is a mixed school, so for many families the starting point is which one can admit their child. 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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