SchoolScoresJohn Hampden Grammar School
Grammar school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Boys only · Sixth form
Part of JOHN HAMPDEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Marlow Hill, High Wycombe, HP11 1SZ
01494 529589 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 14 September 2022.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
178 pupils in this year group.
98% — 39 points above the Buckinghamshire average, and 52 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 98% | 59% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 72.3 | 53.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 6.7 | 4.8 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
183 pupils in this year group.
98% — 3 points above the Buckinghamshire average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 98% | 95% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 88% | 61% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 4% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 4% | 22% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 0% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 99% | 98% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
175 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B+ | B | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 43% | 42% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 75% | 69% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 42.2 | 40.4 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
22 subjects, 548 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 110 | 24% | 49% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 58 | 12% | 41% | 30% |
| Economics | 58 | 17% | 41% | 26% |
| Physics | 48 | 25% | 52% | 31% |
| Business Studies:Single | 39 | 10% | 41% | 16% |
| Biology | 38 | 16% | 45% | 27% |
| Geography | 38 | 5% | 37% | 23% |
| Psychology | 29 | 7% | 17% | 19% |
| History | 19 | 16% | 53% | 23% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 16 | 19% | 56% | 24% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 14 | 0% | 21% | 15% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 14 | 57% | 86% | 59% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 13 | 0% | 8% | 17% |
| German | 12 | 17% | 42% | 42% |
| English Literature | 10 | 40% | 70% | 23% |
| Government and Politics | 7 | 0% | 71% | 26% |
| Music Technology | 7 | 0% | 14% | 15% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Logic / Philosophy, Music, Spanish, French, Chinese.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
155 students in this year group.
92% — 7 points above the Buckinghamshire average, and 13 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 92% | 85% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 5% | 7% |
| Work | 23% | 25% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 91% | 92% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
150 students in this year group.
82% — 9 points above the Buckinghamshire average, and 22 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 82% | 73% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 45% | 38% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 83% | 82% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Buckinghamshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 184 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 259 |
| Of those, offered a place | 161 (62%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 865 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.4 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.4
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a grammar school: places depend on passing an entrance test (the 11 plus), usually taken in September of Year 6.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 8th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 2% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.7% | 14.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 5% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.7% | 3.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 1% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.0% | 11.0%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.0% | 19.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 88% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 5.7% | 7.9%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 53% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.0% | 22.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 95% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.3 | 11.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 95% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.2% | 4.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 91% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 19.4 | 17.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 86% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.7 | 12.2 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 39% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6% | 14.4%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Wycombe High School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 97% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Michael's Catholic School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 5 expected · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wycombe Abbey 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 77% A*/A at A level
- Cressex Community School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Chalfonts Independent Grammar School 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Godstowe Preparatory School 1.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Highcrest Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), some aspects weaker 2024 · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), improved significantly 2025 · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
- Great Marlow School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is John Hampden Grammar School's Ofsted rating?
John Hampden Grammar School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 14 September 2022.
How did John Hampden Grammar School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 98% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 52 points above the England average of 45%.
Is John Hampden Grammar School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 259 families put John Hampden Grammar School as their first choice for 184 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 161 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 136771.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.