SchoolScoresSir William Ramsay School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of INSIGNIS ACADEMY TRUST
Rose Avenue, High Wycombe, HP15 7UB
01494 815211 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Inadequate at the inspection that started on 14 June 2022. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
Category of concern: Serious weaknesses.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Inadequate |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Inadequate |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Not 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
186 pupils in this year group.
26% — 33 points below the Buckinghamshire average, and 20 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 26% | 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. | 35.4 | 53.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.1 | 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.
181 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 137256), before it changed to its current form.
95% — about the same as the Buckinghamshire average, and 2 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. | 95% | 96% | 93% |
| School sixth form | 39% | 61% | 36% |
| Sixth form college | 12% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 40% | 23% | 35% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 4% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2023/24 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
20 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D+ | B | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 11% | 42% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 23% | 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. | 22.6 | 40.4 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
8 subjects, 35 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 8 | 0% | 25% | 27% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 8 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
| Geography | 6 | 0% | 17% | 23% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Mathematics, Psychology, Chemistry, English Literature, History.
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.
44 students in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 137256), before it changed to its current form.
93% — 8 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. | 93% | 85% | 80% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 5% | 7% |
| Work | 23% | 24% | 28% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2023/24 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.
24 students in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 137256), before it changed to its current form.
67% — 10 points below the Buckinghamshire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 67% | 77% | 66% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 13% | 43% | 24% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2023/24 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 207 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 45 |
| Of those, offered a place | 45 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 171 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.1 · 2025: 0.3 · 2026: 0.2
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 10 places for hearing impairment; Physical disability. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 66% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 33.8% | 14.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 68% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.8% | 3.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 73% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0% | 11.0%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 79% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 30.1% | 19.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 8th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 11% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6% | 7.9%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 8th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 4% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 38.8% | 22.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 8th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 41% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 18.2 | 11.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 8th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 28% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.9% | 4.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 7th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 21% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3 | 17.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3 | 12.2 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 83% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 21.1% | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), improved significantly 2025 · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
- Holmer Green Senior School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Highcrest Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), some aspects weaker 2024 · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- Godstowe Preparatory School 1.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Chalfonts Independent Grammar School 2.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Pipers Corner School 2.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 32% A*/A at A level
- Wycombe Abbey 2.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 77% A*/A at A level
- St Michael's Catholic School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 5 expected · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wycombe High School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 97% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Sir William Ramsay School's Ofsted rating?
Sir William Ramsay School was rated Inadequate by Ofsted at its inspection in 14 June 2022.
How did Sir William Ramsay School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 26% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 20 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Sir William Ramsay School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 45 families put Sir William Ramsay School as their first choice for 207 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 45 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 150611.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2023/24, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2023/24, Going on to university 2023/24.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.