Dr Challoner's Boys School Bucks - catchment

[Rg1987]

Hi everyone,
We've just moved to the Beaconsfield area. My children are young but I want to try and get a picture of catchment areas for the grammar schools.
I have boys and we are literally two streets outside the Dr Challoner's catchment area. Does anyone have any experience of getting into the school in this scenario? I'm trying to work which other grammar schools we would be eligible for in this area.
Any help gratefully received!

[xyzandabc]

I don't know how to make them clicky but the 2 links below tell you previous years allocation data. So you can see how far down their rules each school went and how far on distance the last place was allocated (if it was allocated on distance).

It gives you an idea but no guarantees. Depends on how many others qualify in categories higher than yours. And if you are a few years away from even taking the 11+, they can change their admissions criteria. As the Aylesbury grammars have done this year by changing their catchment areas.

www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/education/school-admissions/admissions-policies-consultations-and-statistics/allocation-of-school-places/

www.thebucksgrammarschools.org/test-data

[Rg1987]

Thanks so much. We're a way off it yet but great to have this link so I can track it. I think we definitely qualify for RGS in Wycombe. Does anyone have any feedback on RGS and Dr Challoner's? The differences? I see Dr C did better in terms of Ofsted report

[Zodlebud]

Dr Challoners (both boys and girls) are arguably the most sought after single sex Bucks grammars. Just being in the official catchment does not mean you would get a place. Last year the last place offered distance from the school was 5.9 miles from the school but just 1.9 miles for the girls school. The year before the boys was 5.5 miles but the girls 4.975 miles. So between years the girls last admitted distance went down by three miles! There is no exact science and it can change wildly between years.

If you want Challoners then you really do have to live as close as possible to get a place which is no bad thing as Amersham School is a great school if you don’t pass the 11+. Not sure you can say the same about The Beaconsfield School.

In Bucks more than anywhere you need to ensure you have a great school as your local if not successful at 11+. If you can afford private then great, but if not that would be more of a consideration than grammars to be honest. If you pass Bucks 11+ and live in county and catchment then you should get a place at a Grammar - just might not be your first choice.

[Rg1987]

Thanks so much. Really useful. We moved to Beaconsfield primarily for St Mary's. We love the look of it. But good to know about Dr Challoner's/Amersham...amazing that it can change so much year on year

[Mustbetimeforachange]

The problem with independent schools in Bucks is that they tend to be full of children who didn't pass the 11 plus as most people would far rather have the free grammar school education than a not so tiptop private education. Because of the grammar school system taking the top 30%, Bucks has few terribly academic senior independent schools.

[Rg1987]

I was thinking that. I guess there's Wycombe Abbey for girls but if you have boys I can't see many great options privately. Maybe Berkhamsted?

[AvonCallingBarksdale]

My DS is in year 11 at DCGS - we have absolutely loved it. However in Beaconsfield you’d be looking at RGS although DS does have some friends in Jordans but generally Beaconsfield = RGS which friends of ours are equally enthusiastic about. For private Berko is great and recognised as such as opposed to Clares Court/Thorpe House which are thought of as places to go if you didn’t pass the 11+ but can afford to pay. I would have chosen Amersham School over either of those two.

[Rg1987]

Really interesting you'd pick Amersham over those options. Lots to think about. I do really like the sound of RGS so good to know we have that option if he does get offered a place

[Abrsm2020]

Hi there...
My son got a letter in the post this morning From D Challoner's . It wasn’t an offer so I’m hoping someone can shed some light...

The place is for 6th form, for sep 2020 entry. They said we need to upload actual gcse grades when received. They weren’t able to offer as we chose Maths A level and sons prediction is 6 but needed 7. The point score of 48 was met. I’m quite hopeful he’ll get 7 for maths but can someone tell me if they have been in the same boat and the likelihood of an offer. Any help will be much appreciated

[QuickChange2020]

I have two boys at RGS and they love it. There is very little between the schools to be honest. The Ofsted thing is a bit of a funny one. RGS had the new inspection sprung on them in the first week of term, all the other grammar schools in the area jumped to attention and got ‘their houses in order’ so we’re prepared after hearing what RGS went through. If you read the Ofsted report the majority of sections are Outstanding and I believe firmly that it is an outstanding school.

Anyway, I think you’ll find that out of catchment you won’t have a hope of getting in to DCGS, I don’t believe they have taken out of catchment in many, many years.

[QuickChange2020]

@Abrsm2020 I think your DS will definitely need to get a 7 to get a place doing maths A level at DCGS. The boys in the school currently will be expected to achieve a 7 also. The difficulty from GCSE to A Level maths is significant and the competition for places at the school is high. Hopefully he’ll get the grades he needs, good luck.

[QuickChange2020]

Berkhamsted is an excellent private school. Also very sought after so entrance exams are fairly tough.

[Abrsm2020]

Any thoughts !.......experience .....of a similar situation. Thanks

[Abrsm2020]

Thanks quickchange2020.

[TeenPlusTwenties]

Abrsm No thoughts on the school, but even our highly unselective 6th form colleges here in Hants tend to need a 7 in maths to do it at A level. If he is a borderline 7 then he should:
a) really consider whether he'll be up to the A level anyway
b) make sure he keeps working on his maths between now and September, especially the algebra side of it.

[Maladicta]

Even with a 7, your ds may find the course challenging. Majority of the boys at DCGS who stay on to do A Level Maths will have at least an 8.

[Abrsm2020]

Thanks for info...we are able to change the subject but wondered if Challoners leaving it until actual grades day and inviting us to let them know is promising and if others children have successfully got in.

[QuickChange2020]

I don't think anyone will be allowed to sit the subjects without getting the grades required.