Moving to Marlow

[meredith1234]

Hello! We are thinking about moving to Marlow from London. My daughter is going into Y2 and my son is going into Y6. I'd love to know what local parents think of Great Marlow Secondary school? I'm nervous about getting a school place...I know that is always one of the most challenging parts of moving as schools are so oversubscribed these days. Thank you! Meredith

My DS has now left Great Marlow Secondary. When I asked if he will miss school, his reply was 'Yes I'm going to miss the teachers'. They really do care about their pupils. The head of music especially!

Marlow secondary is well regarded around here. No personal experience, but hear good feedback. The Co-Ed grammar William Borlase, is also very highly regarded.

First things first Bucks is a 100% selective county and that affects sooooo much - primary choice etc etc. There are no comprehensive schools just Uppers and Grammars.

Marlow is a lovely town. The primary schools are generally v good (although some more popular then others). By default if you are in a Bucks primary you will be entered for the 11+ - usually mid September but moving to later this year.

If you live in Marlow you will be catchment for GMS, SWBGS, WHS, JHGS. They are all good schools but many have felt GMS was slow off the mark with its Covid provision. Of the grammars WHS has fallen out of favour.

Both GMS and SWBGS have pupils from small catchment areas so your children will have v local friends. GMS & SWBGS both row and are in the middle of a lengthy process to build a shared boathouse.

If you move to Marlow / Marlow Bottom and are in residence in time you will get a place at GMS. If you move in late you may struggle- they never offer all of catchment and I know of catchment children (who weren’t late applicants) who waited until this year for a place in the current year 7.

Was there anything specific you wanted to know? (For clarity my children aren’t at GMS but have many friends there).

KittyMcKitty Both GMS and SWBGS have pupils from small catchment areas so your children will have v local friends.

This is a positive, if your child attends one of the Grammars in High Wycombe you could end up ferrying your child rather long distances. Their classmates may live on the other side of Wycombe etc.

Didyou I was meaning it as a positive and it is one of the reasons for whs being out of favour. SWBGS has only offered to 3 miles for a number of years GMS to further - neither to all of catchment.

WHS & JHGS have students coming in from West London!

That’s right they do. Most Bucks grammars have much wider cohorts than they once had. SWBGS is one of the very few schools that has managed to retain such a tight local cohort. Once a school falls out of favour on ‘first choice in-catchment‘, the demographic quickly changes.

@KittyMcKitty
Yes just highlighting what a good point you made. I went to WHS and my parents were miffed, as one of my friends lived in Naphill - they thought that was too far to drive .

Didyousay I think children have a special talent for finding friends as far away as possible- my children are at SWBGS and still managed it (although the 3 miles does help)