Secondary schools in Buckinghamshire

[GeriStartle246]

We're looking to move to Buckinghamshire (me, husband and 2-year-old son) and have been looking at Marlow (if we can stretch to afford somewhere near there).

However, I was hoping someone might be able to provide some information about the process for secondary school entry (a long way away but we'd still like to understand how it works).

I understand Year 6 pupils are entered for the 11+ test by default and the schools in Bucks operate on an exclusively selective system. What happens if a child does not pass the 11+? I'd just like to know what the options are like for children who do not pass this test.

Thanks

If they don't pass they go to what they call Upper Schools (used to be called secondary moderns). I think the one in Marlow is called Great Marlow.

Or some people go to a non-selective private.

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar school in Marlow is small and has a tiny catchment area. If you think you might want the school (after success in the 11 plus) you must look at distance from the school where DC are admitted to judge where to live. Bucks has all this info about catchment and distance on their web site. Advance knowledge is vital for this school as getting in, even with the pass mark secured, isn’t guaranteed. So do your homework.

Regarding secondary moderns: Bucks now tries to call them all ability schools. But the grammar stream is missing. Schools like Great Marlow will have around 1/3 of their pupils who are high achievers in government terms. This is better than lots of comps. Look at all the details (results, progress fsm percentage etc) on the government web site. Many DC at Bucks secondary schools do well but it’s a bit patchy.

All Bucks Grammars are currently outstanding. The other schools are a mixed bag but the majority are good schools. Tuition to get into the grammars is normal and SWB is hugely sought after. There are several senior private schools you can access in that area, especially in Berkshire. Bucks DC take the 11 plus in September of year 6. All the info is on the Bucks web site but you need to plan by y4 about what you think is realistic.

There are virtually NO non selective private schools now. They all care about results.

@PresentingPercy

There are virtually NO non selective private schools now. They all care about results.

whilst I would agree with you about that where I live in north London, I was specifically relating the comment about non-selective indies to the area the OP was asking about. In particular I was thinking about schools which cater to a range of abilities like Claire's Court. I know of families in the last couple of years who have sent kids there who didn't "pass" (hate that description) the 11+ and would have been aiming for Borlase had they passed.

That’s still selective though. Nearly getting the 11 plus in Bucks is usually a high achiever by government definition. That’s why schools like Great Marlow have 1/3 high achievers.

Yes, Claire’s Court caters for such DC and is in Berkshire. However they won’t have the full range of Sen that standard secondary schools do. Their results are vastly superior to many secondary schools in Bucks. However direct comparison is difficult as the government uses grade 5 and above for stats and Claire’s Court uses grade 4 when reporting stats. However they are definitely selective! Their SEN range is definitely not reflecting that of Bucks secondary moderns.

I have 2 children at Borlase (years 11 & 13) who have both been there since year 7 - happy to answer any questions. Borlase is a great school - as is Great Marlow.

You need to be in catchment for both and then look at the distances / other criteria to check you’re close enough.