Wycombe High School

Grammar school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Girls only · Sixth form

Part of WYCOMBE HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIES TRUST

Marlow Road, High Wycombe, HP11 1TB

01494 523961 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedOutstandingInspected 30 April 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths97%England 45% · 2024/25
3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe.
Higher than 98% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,371Room for 1,265 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,304 in 2019, 1,303 in 2021, 1,319 in 2022, 1,321 in 2023, 1,322 in 2024, 1,361 in 2025, 1,371 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.4263 for 190 places, September 2026
2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe.
Higher than 90% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 30 April 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationOutstanding
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementOutstanding
Sixth formOutstanding
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

314 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.

High Wycombe comparisons use the 4 of its 8 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 4 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolHigh WycombeEngland
My child is happy at this school
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in High Wycombe.
Higher than 90% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
94% 93% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in High Wycombe.
Higher than 96% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
98% 96% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in High Wycombe.
Higher than 95% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
96% 92% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 80 parents whose child had been bullied
4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in High Wycombe.
Higher than 39% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
46% 53% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 193 parents who had raised a concern
3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in High Wycombe.
Higher than 84% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
83% 87% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in High Wycombe.
Higher than 85% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
92%said yes 93% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. High Wycombe figures pool parents at the High Wycombe schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

187 pupils in this year group.

97% — 38 points above the Buckinghamshire average, and 51 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBuckinghamshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 97% 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. 73.9 53.4 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 7.2 4.8 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
20% 40% 60% 80% 100% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 97%This school 2023/24: 97%This school 2024/25: 97% This school England 45% 2022/23 97% 2023/24 97% 2024/25 97%

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.

188 pupils in this year group.

98% — 3 points above the Buckinghamshire average, and 6 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 91%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolBuckinghamshireEngland
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 91% 61% 34%
Sixth form college 4% 5% 13%
Further education college 1% 22% 37%
Apprenticeship 0% 2% 3%
Work 0% 2% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
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

195 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolBuckinghamshireEngland
Average A level grade B+ B B-
A level exams graded A* or A 44% 42% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 77% 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
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 50 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 43.6This school 2023/24: 42.0This school 2024/25: 42.2 This school England 35 2022/23 43.6 2023/24 42.0 2024/25 42.2

A level subjects, 2024/25

25 subjects, 604 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 78 12% 41% 40%
Psychology 71 15% 46% 19%
English Literature 53 21% 53% 23%
Chemistry 51 4% 27% 30%
Biology 50 16% 46% 27%
History 44 11% 50% 23%
Government and Politics 38 3% 50% 26%
Religious Studies 28 0% 43% 22%
Physics 27 7% 15% 31%
Computer Studies / Computing 20 5% 35% 24%
Business Studies:Single 19 5% 47% 16%
Economics 17 0% 47% 26%
Art and Design 16 63% 81% 34%
Geography 15 7% 40% 23%
Mathematics (Further) 13 23% 46% 59%
French 11 9% 36% 38%
Classical Civilisation 10 10% 20% 23%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 9 33% 100% 15%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 9 33% 44% 17%
Spanish 9 0% 56% 34%
Drama and Theatre Studies 7 0% 0% 19%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Music, Turkish, Latin, Polish.

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.

196 students in this year group.

92% — 7 points above the Buckinghamshire average, and 13 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBuckinghamshireEngland
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 4% 5% 7%
Work 17% 25% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
95%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.

172 students in this year group.

89% — 16 points above the Buckinghamshire average, and 29 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBuckinghamshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 89% 73% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 60% 38% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
94%89%

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 offered190
Families who put it first263
Of those, offered a place157 (60%)
Families who listed it at all720

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 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.

Admissions dates and schools in Buckinghamshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolBuckinghamshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
6th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe.
Higher than 5% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
8.0% 14.8%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
8th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe.
Higher than 2% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
0.3% 3.1%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
8th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe.
Higher than 0% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.3% 11.0%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
7th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe.
Higher than 61% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
16.6% 19.1%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
1st lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe.
Lower than 90% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
5.5% 7.9%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
1st lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe.
Lower than 76% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
17.9% 22.4%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
1st lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe.
Lower than 97% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
0.7 11.5 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
1st lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe.
Lower than 97% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
0.6% 4.9% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.07% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe.
Higher than 76% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
18.1 17.4 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
1st highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe.
Higher than 93% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
14.5 12.2 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
5th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe.
Higher than 50% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
13.3% 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

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Wycombe High School's Ofsted rating?

Wycombe High School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 30 April 2024.

How did Wycombe High School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 97% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 51 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Wycombe High School?

92% of the 314 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Wycombe High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Wycombe High School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 263 families put Wycombe High School as their first choice for 190 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 157 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.