About Burnham Grammar School (BGS)
Burnham Grammar School is a co-educational grammar school near Slough admitting 155 pupils annually. It was rated Good by Ofsted in September 2024. Entry is via the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. Children at Buckinghamshire state primaries are registered automatically.
Burnham Grammar School (BGS) provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 56.4%. A-Level A*–B: 70.7%.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for Burnham Grammar School (BGS)
Burnham Grammar School (BGS) is a co-educational state grammar school in England that selects pupils through the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) (the shared Bucks 11+, produced by GL Assessment) for Year 7 admission. The school admits approximately 155 Year 7 pupils each September, and applications must be made through your home Local Authority via the Common Application Form (CAF) — never directly to the school.
The GL Assessment 11+ is one of two main 11+ test providers in England (the other being CEM, now retired in many regions). The Bucks test typically consists of multiple papers covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Scores are standardised against the cohort age distribution, so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. Each school sets its own qualifying mark (pass mark).
For 2027 entry, the GL Assessment test is sat in Thursday 11 September 2026 and results are released to parents on mid-October 2026 — crucially, before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026, giving parents time to consider results before listing school preferences. National Offers Day is Monday 1 March 2027, when Local Authorities issue Year 7 secondary school offers.
Burnham Grammar School (BGS) is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the 11+ test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (155 places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Burnham Grammar School (BGS)
Burnham Grammar School (BGS) Admissions Criteria
Burnham Grammar School is a co-educational grammar school near Slough admitting 155 pupils annually. It was rated Good by Ofsted in September 2024. Entry is via the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. Children at Buckinghamshire state primaries are registered automatically.
- ✓Children at Buckinghamshire state primary schools are automatically registered for the STT.
- ✓Children at other schools must register via Buckinghamshire Council (opens 1st May, closes 2nd June 2026).
- ✓Sit the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test: two ~60-minute multiple-choice papers (Verbal Skills + Non-Verbal Skills).
- ✓Achieve a qualifying standardised score of 121 or above.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- ✓Children living within the Burnham Grammar catchment area who achieved the qualifying score.
- ✓Siblings of current pupils at Burnham Grammar School.
- ✓All other qualifying children, ranked by straight-line distance from the school.
Burnham Grammar School (BGS) Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 155 Year 7 admission number, the Board of Governors / Trust applies the following criteria in priority order. Final ranking uses the standardised score achieved in the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test.
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children (highest priority by law)
- Children who achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test (above the qualifying standard set by Burnham Grammar School (BGS))
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium / Free School Meals Entitlement (FSME)
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school
- Children with sibling(s) currently attending the school
- Children of staff (where staff member has worked at the school for 2+ years)
- Children ranked by total standardised score (highest first) up to the published admission number
- Tiebreak: distance from home to school (straight-line measurement) for children with equal scores
Key Dates & Deadlines — Burnham Grammar School (BGS) 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | May 2026 via Bucks 11+ portal |
| 📌 Registration closes | late June 2026 |
| 📌 GL Assessment 11+ Entrance Test | Thursday 11 September 2026 (Familiarisation: 7 Sept; Main test: Verbal + Non-Verbal + Maths) |
| 📌 Test results released | mid-October 2026 |
| 📌 CAF deadline (apply via Local Authority) | Friday 31 October 2026 |
| 📌 National Offers Day | Monday 1 March 2027 |
How to Apply to Burnham Grammar School (BGS) via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register your child for the GL Assessment 11+ Test
Register through your regional 11+ portal (e.g. Bucks) when registration opens. Closes late June 2026. There is no fee to sit the GL Assessment test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at Burnham Grammar School (BGS)
Visit during Year 5 or early Year 6 to meet staff and pupils and decide whether to list this school on your CAF.
Step 3 — Sit the GL Assessment Entrance Test
Your child sits the GL Assessment in Thursday 11 September 2026. The test typically covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised scores age-adjusted.
Step 4 — Receive your standardised test results
Test results are released to parents on mid-October 2026, BEFORE the Common Application Form deadline. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
Step 5 — Complete your Common Application Form (CAF)
List Burnham Grammar School (BGS) as one of your preferences on the CAF submitted via your home Local Authority (not the school's LA, unless they are the same). You can usually list 3-6 preferences depending on your LA.
Step 6 — Submit the CAF by the deadline
Submit your CAF by Friday 31 October 2026. Late applications are processed only after all on-time applications have been allocated, dramatically reducing your chance of a place.
Step 7 — Receive your school offer on National Offers Day
Offers are issued via your Local Authority on Monday 1 March 2027. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Burnham Grammar School (BGS)'s waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Burnham Grammar School (BGS)
Burnham Grammar School selects through the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT), produced by GL Assessment and administered by Buckinghamshire Council. It is two multiple-choice papers of about 45 minutes each, with age-standardised scoring and a qualifying standard of around 121.
- English & verbal reasoning: comprehension, technical English and verbal logic.
- Non-verbal & spatial reasoning: shapes, sequences and spatial patterns.
- Mathematics: Key Stage 2 numeracy and problem-solving.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Burnham Grammar School (BGS)
Burnham Grammar School (BGS) uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Burnham Grammar School (BGS) 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Burnham Grammar School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Burnham Grammar School is regularly ranked among the top-performing grammar schools in Buckinghamshire and was rated Good by Ofsted at its most recent inspection (September 2024), with inspectors noting an ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum. It achieves strong results at GCSE and A-Level, with particular strengths in the sciences and mathematics.
- GCSE & A-Level: consistently strong results across the sciences, mathematics, humanities, languages and the arts.
- Sixth form: a broad co-educational sixth form.
- Progression: a high proportion of students progress to Russell Group universities and competitive apprenticeships.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for Burnham Grammar School
Admission to Year 7 is through the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) — produced by GL Assessment and administered by Buckinghamshire Council on behalf of The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) consortium of 13 schools. The STT is two multiple-choice papers of about 45 minutes each (one covering comprehension, technical English and verbal reasoning; the other non-verbal reasoning, spatial reasoning and mathematics), with age-standardised scoring and a qualifying standard of typically 121 or above. Buckinghamshire uses an 'opt-out' system, so children at Buckinghamshire primary schools are registered automatically while families elsewhere register separately.
The school offers around 180 Year 7 places and operates a catchment area covering Burnham, Taplow, Egypt, Hedgerley, Fulmer and Middle Green, giving priority to qualified children within it, alongside Pupil Premium pupils and siblings, with distance used thereafter. Always confirm the current catchment map and criteria in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Burnham Grammar School is a co-educational grammar of around 1,250 pupils on Hogfair Lane in Burnham (Slough, SL1 7HG); a non-denominational academy within the Beeches Learning and Development Trust, it holds Specialist Science College status. Its motto, 'Embracing Challenge', reflects an ethos focused on resilience, independent thinking and a lifelong love of learning, in a friendly but purposeful environment where every student is valued.
Pupils are encouraged to take up a wide range of sporting, arts and charity activities, and to volunteer and mentor younger students. For the full list of clubs, teams and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Burnham Grammar School
How do I apply to Burnham Grammar School (BGS) for Year 7?
Applications to Burnham Grammar School (BGS) are made through your home Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) — not directly to the school. Your child must sit the GL Assessment 11+ test (registration closes late June 2026), then list Burnham Grammar School (BGS) on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does Burnham Grammar School (BGS) use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — Burnham Grammar School (BGS) uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test for Year 7 admission, taken in Thursday 11 September 2026 (Familiarisation: 7 Sept; Main test: Verbal + Non-Verbal + Maths). The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised age-adjusted scores.
What is the pass mark / qualifying score for Burnham Grammar School (BGS)?
Burnham Grammar School (BGS) sets its own qualifying mark each year. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) up to the admission number of 155 places.
How many Year 7 places does Burnham Grammar School (BGS) have?
Burnham Grammar School (BGS) admits 155 Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places fairly.
When are GL Assessment results released in 2026?
For 2027 Year 7 entry, GL Assessment test results are released on mid-October 2026 — before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
When is National Offers Day for Burnham Grammar School (BGS) in 2027?
National Offers Day for Year 7 secondary school places in England is Monday 1 March 2027. Offers are issued by your home Local Authority — not directly by the school. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Burnham Grammar School (BGS)'s waiting list.
Is Burnham Grammar School (BGS) a state school or fee-paying?
Burnham Grammar School (BGS) is a state-funded grammar school — there are no tuition fees. As a state grammar, it is academically selective via the GL Assessment 11+ test, but pupils who pass the test do not pay to attend.
How can my child prepare for the Burnham Grammar School (BGS) 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete GL Assessment 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question (covering all GL topic areas — English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning), and downloadable resources. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the September 11+ test.
Where can I find Burnham Grammar School (BGS)'s official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Burnham Grammar School (BGS) 2027 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, qualifying mark, supplementary forms (if any), and any school-specific application requirements.