John Hampden Grammar School vs The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
Both are grammar schools in Buckinghamshire, 2.0 miles apart. Side-by-side on official DfE, Ofsted and council admissions data.
Side by side
| John Hampden Grammar School | The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe | |
|---|---|---|
| Phase | Secondary | Secondary |
| Gender | Boys | Boys |
| Pupils on roll | 1,281 | 1,451 |
| Free school meals | 5.4% | 5.9% |
| Ofsted rating | Outstanding | Good |
| Attainment 8 — 2025/26 | 73.1 | 71.9 |
| 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 | 182 |
| First preferences per place — higher means more competition for a first-preference place | 1.41 | 1.19 |
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.
The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
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.
The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
- Looked after and previously looked after children
- Up to 6 places for Pupil Premium or looked-after boys in the catchment (both priority areas) scoring 115–120
- Qualified Pupil Premium boys living in the catchment area
- Siblings of day students on the roll
- Boys living in the catchment area since 1 September of Year 5 — Priority Area A, then B, nearest first
- Children of 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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