Bucks/Kent/Slough grammar catchments for DS

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Hi all,

Going through a divorce, have ds aged 6 (yr 1) at pre prep in SW London. Was on course for St Paul’s Westminster etc at year 3. StBexH now refuses to contribute to school fees post pre-prep. I am assessing life plans and looking to move to Bucks /Kent for the grammars there. My question is which areas of these 2 counties should I live in to maximise catchment for as many grammar schools as possible? It looks as Tunbridge wells falls into catchment for both judd/skinners but not sure about the rest and also clueless re Bucks/Slough in this regard. Thank you !!

Bucks is a bit different - the 11+ test covers you for all the grammars and you either pass or don’t pass - the mark doesn’t matter. You have a catchment grammar for girls, boys and sometimes mixed but distance is often also a criteria. For a boy Amersham would be good as you’d be very close to Challoners (boys) or Chesham (mixed) grammars so if he passed get in fine.

Also worth noting that much of bucks is an infant / junior system, so kids move schools at age 7. This can mean if you could time it you could potentially get him into a juniors you were happy with for year 3.

@Glitterbaby17 thanks ! I didn’t realise that it was a pass/no pass system in bucks. Yes the plan is for him to start year 3 at a new school (his school doesn’t go past yr 2 anyway)

Feel free to DM if I can help at all

Thank you !!

I live in Bucks, we do have catchments for Grammars, and it is pass or don’t. But we do have plenty of GS’s in the county.
My town has 3 within a mile of each other…
State primaries here do not prepare them at all for the 11+, but there are plenty of tutors.

Happy to help in any way I can

@Jojobees thank you! Is there any particular town which puts you in catchment in at least 2 of the mixed/boys only grammars ? A pp mentioned Amersham in this regard.

I'm also bucks and echo aiming for Amersham

I believe the schools in Kent are pretty poor if you don't get into a grammar - depends how likely that is?

You also have south London with 3 boys schools in Sutton Borough plus Tiffin in Kingston.

@christmastreefarm difficult as he’s only 6 but working beyond his level and teachers have recommended that he applies to St Paul’s Westminster etc. He’s in top sets and top of year at maths. I would expect him to be within the top 25% of his cohort.
Sutton definitely a possibility but the grammars are super selective and I believe some offer out of catchment places?

I have girls so not 100% but I think Wilson's has no catchment places and the others may be split between catchment / non catchment but you would need to check.

Not sure on Tiffin.

Age 6 is very early to know that's he's good enough for St Paul's/Westminster. If you're thinking of west Kent, he'll need to be better than top 25% for Judd and Skinners (especially Judd, which is more like top 5 to 10%). The question with Tunbridge Wells is where you go if you don't get in. TW boys' grammar is much easier to get into than Judd and Skinners (just needs a pass, and is usually a wide catchment), but some aren't keen (it's not uncommon for parents to pay for private if they don't get Judd or Skinners). The most well-regarded high school (ie non grammar) is Bennett, but you'd have to live practically on the doorstep to get in if you're not churchy. Also it's not for everyone - the church ethos is quite strong. Others like Skinners Kent Academy.

If you're going for West Kent with a boy, your ideal position would probably be very close to either Bennett or SKA (depending on preference), to maximise your chances of getting one if those if you don't get a grammar place. Being near Bennett has the advantage of being nearer Skinners if you do get in (and nearer town). There's also St Greg's (near Bennett) which some people love, but there's also been some negative talk about bullying in recent years. TBH if you're used to thinking about St Paul's and Westminster, then Judd and Skinners are the only schools which you may feel would be in a vaguely similar bracket. They're quite different in feel, but both very good.

@mynameisuna thank you. Ds is at a pre prep so his teachers have suggested 7+ for St Paul’s Westminster etc - if only I had the money!

@mynameisuna and thanks for the very detailed reply, much appreciated!

If you live in Marlow you will be catchment for mixed - SWBGS and single sex - JHGS and WHS. You will also be catchment for Great Marlow School as your non Grammar option (GMS is a great school).

@KittyMcKitty thanks! Any good preps around there?

ultimately it will come down to where I can afford to live, with better transport links to the City!

There are loads - it really depends on what you are looking for and whether you want a school which will go to 11 or 13 (and also how much you want to spend!)

Chiltern villages are popular and on either the mainline into Marylebone and some are also on the Met line. All bucks areas have catchment grammars but you also need to consider furthest distance allocated as catchment doesn't guarantee a place

@KittyMcKitty yes there are a few! I’ve identified gateway prep and Thorpe house as ones which may work for me, as are either affordable or offer bursaries!

@Glitterbaby17 thanks. I dont drive so breing in a village is out

You could look at Twyford in Berks. Highly selective Reading school, but also Slough Grammars, but well regarded Piggott (comprehensive) school and cross rail to the city.

Amersham sounds like a good bet for you - Challoners GS is one of the best regarded grammar schools in Bucks, you have the Beacon School for prep (many boys from there go to Challoners). If he doesn't pass 11+ then Amersham School is a good alternative state school. Transport links are good as you're on the metropolitan line for Tube & Chiltern line into Marylebone. Beacon & Challoners are both in walking distance if you live in Amersham itself. If you want state primary then they're well regarded too. Look at Chesham Bois if you want a 'leafier' area of Amersham (still walking distance).

Aylesbury has a boys grammar and mixed grammar school. The town is a dump but some nice villages eg Wendover , Haddenham.
Some decent secondary schools if he doesn't pass.

Just seen you don't drive. Wendover and Amersham both on train line to Marylebone.

As someone above mentioned I’m in a village on the outskirts of Aylesbury so there is AGS, AJS ( boys/girls) and SJF grammars within a mile of each other although I’m about 6miles away, he gets the bus.