About Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW)
The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe (RGSHW) was founded in 1562 and is a highly selective boys' grammar school with academy status admitting 182 day pupils per year. It is part of The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) Consortium. RGSHW also offers a small number of boarding places, which require a separate Boarding Registration Form and interview with the Head of Boarding.
Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 65.4%. A-Level A*–B: 85.5%.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW)
Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) is a boys state grammar school in England that uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test to select pupils for Year 7 admission. The school admits approximately 182 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.
Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) 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 (182 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 Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW)
Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) Admissions Criteria
The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe (RGSHW) was founded in 1562 and is a highly selective boys' grammar school with academy status admitting 182 day pupils per year. It is part of The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) Consortium. RGSHW also offers a small number of boarding places, which require a separate Boarding Registration Form and interview with the Head of Boarding.
- ✓Children attending 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 STT: two one-hour multiple-choice papers.
- ✓Achieve a qualifying standardised score of 121 or above.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- ✓Boys within the RGSHW catchment area receiving Pupil Premium who achieve the qualifying score.
- ✓Boys within the designated catchment area who have achieved the qualifying score, ranked by score.
- ✓Sons of RGSHW staff on a permanent contract for 2+ years.
- ✓All other qualifying boys, ranked by straight-line distance from the school.
- ✓Boarding places: boys must also complete a Boarding Registration Form and interview with the Head of Boarding.
Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 182 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 Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW))
- 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 — Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) 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 Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) 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 Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW)
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 Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) 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 Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW)'s waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW)
RGSHW selects through the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (GL Assessment), sat once for the TBGS grammar schools — two age-standardised multiple-choice papers, weighted 50% verbal, 25% non-verbal and 25% numerical, with a qualifying score of 121.
- English & verbal reasoning: comprehension, technical English and word-based logic.
- Non-verbal & spatial reasoning: pattern recognition and visual problem-solving.
- Mathematics: Key Stage 2 arithmetic and problem-solving.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW)
Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) 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 Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) 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 The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe (GCSE & A-Level Results)
The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe (RGSHW) has an outstanding academic record that often surpasses fee-paying competitors, with around 85% of A-Level grades at A*–B and roughly 76% of GCSE grades at 9–7 in a recent year, and strong progression to leading universities including Oxbridge.
- GCSE: around 76% of grades at 9–7 in a recent year.
- Sixth form: around 85% of A-Level grades at A*–B, with a co-educational sixth form since September 2025.
- Specialism: particular strengths in languages and mathematics.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
Admission to Year 7 is through the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT), set by GL Assessment for The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) consortium of 13 grammar schools — so a child sits it once. It is two multiple-choice papers: one covering English comprehension, technical English and verbal reasoning, the other non-verbal and spatial reasoning and mathematics, weighted 50% verbal, 25% non-verbal and 25% numerical, with an age-standardised total. A score of 121 or above qualifies automatically (others may be considered via a Selection Review). Buckinghamshire state-primary pupils are registered automatically; others register with the council.
The school admits around 182 boys to Year 7 and uses a defined catchment. After children with an EHCP and looked-after children, priority runs through catchment children eligible for Free School Meals, then siblings, then catchment by straight-line distance, with out-of-catchment applicants last. It also offers a small number of boarding places (boarding fees apply, though the education itself is state-funded). Always confirm the current arrangements in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe (RGSHW) is a selective boys' grammar with optional boarding for ages 11–18 (with a co-educational sixth form from September 2025) on Amersham Road in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire (HP13 6QT), with around 1,420 pupils. Founded in 1550 and granted a Royal Charter in 1562, it became an academy in 2011 and is one of the few state schools to offer boarding.
With specialisms in languages and mathematics, the school combines high academic standards with an exceptional co-curriculum across sport, music, the arts and outdoor activities. For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
How do I apply to Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) for Year 7?
Applications to Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) 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 Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) 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 Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW)?
Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) 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 182 places.
How many Year 7 places does Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) have?
Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) admits 182 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 Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) 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 Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW)'s waiting list.
Is Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) a state school or fee-paying?
Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) 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 Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) 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 Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW)'s official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Royal Grammar School High Wycombe (RGSHW) 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.