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 | 1,271 | 1,205 |
| Free school meals | 4.7% | 2.7% |
| Ofsted rating | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| Attainment 8 — 2024/25 | 72.3 | 72.4 |
| A-level average points — 2024/25 | 42.23 | 44.75 |
| 11+ test board | GL Assessment | GL Assessment |
| Admission system | pass/fail then criteria order | pass/fail then criteria order |
| 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 children and previously looked after children (adopted, special guardianship, child arrangements order)
- Up to 6 places: Pupil Premium children in catchment (or LAC anywhere) with STT score 115–120 (just below qualifying thre
- Catchment area children eligible for Pupil Premium
- Siblings of children currently on roll at the school (Years 7–10)
Source: school admissions policy.
Sir William Borlase's Grammar School
- Looked after children and previously looked after children (adopted, special guardianship, child arrangements order)
- Up to 6 places: Pupil Premium children in catchment (or LAC anywhere) with STT score 115–120 (just below qualifying thre
- Catchment area children eligible for Pupil Premium
- Siblings of children currently on roll at the school (Years 7–10)
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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