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As with other selective Buckinghamshire schools, Chesham Grammar – a coeducational secondary school of around 1,300 pupils, with over 400 in the sixth form – aims to strike a balance between academic achievement and preparing students for their place in a changing world.

Parents are impressed and keen to stress the pastoral preparations that the school makes; and that the school foster kindness and humility in addition to creating a challenging academic environment.

A 2025 Ofsted report confirmed the schools as Outstanding in all areas, reserving particular praise for the presence of a school ethos that is “exceptionally happy and welcoming”, with “strong and positive relationships… at the heart of the school’s culture…”.  They also recognised that the school worked to maintain a strong sense of community.

Importantly for ambitious students and parents, the report also recognised that Chesham Grammar "ensures that all pupils flourish academically and personally”. In practise this translates into excellent results. At A Level, almost 60% of entries were at A*/A, with 85% A*-B. This places the school ahead of other selective local schools such as Dr Challoner’s High and Sir William Borlase’s Grammar. Students also achieved very impressive GCSE results, with 23% at grade 9, with over two thirds of results graded 7-9.

British boarding schools have a long history of educating students from all over the world, including the United States. For many American families, the idea of a UK boarding school can feel exciting, but also unfamiliar, given the structural differences in entry points, assessments and curricula. The process can be more formalised than US admissions, with earlier deadlines and assessments that can surprise families unfamiliar with the UK system. Understanding these differences early is vital, particularly due to the competitive nature of many of these schools. This guide gives an overview of the system and outlines what American families need to know before applying. 

Buckinghamshire is one of the few English counties to have retained a fully selective grammar school system and is home to a number of outstanding state-funded schools that consistently rival the independent sector for academic results. However, while this education is free at the point of access, securing a place is highly competitive and often demanding for both pupils and parents. The county is widely regarded as an environment that attracts ambitious families and academically driven children.

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School is a co-educational grammar school which, in the past, was sometimes perceived as elitist or overly pressurised. Current parental opinion suggests that this reputation no longer reflects the school’s ethos. This view is strongly supported by the most recent Ofsted inspection (2024), which judged the school to be Outstanding in all areas. The report highlights that the school’s excellence is rooted not only in academic outcomes, but also in the strength of its provision for personal development. Ofsted notes that, “The impressive extra-curricular programme … allows pupils to enrich their learning outside the classroom but also to develop and discover interests and talents.” Teaching was rated as exceptional, with staff commended for delivering an ambitious and broad curriculum, including strong provision for pupils with SEND.

These strengths are complemented by a distinctive and inspiring setting. Founded in 1624, the school continues to occupy its original site, where brick-and-flint cloisters, a clock tower and a chapel provide a tangible sense of history. These historic features sit alongside modern facilities, including the 2021 Sports Hall and other recent developments, creating a learning environment that successfully blends tradition with innovation.

The Judd School is a selective, state-funded grammar school, based in Tonbridge in Kent. Established in 1888, the school admits boys from Year 7 to Year 11, and the Sixth Form is co-educational. 

Academics-wise, The Judd School has a reputation as being one of the strongest in the county. In the most recent academic year, around 83% of pupils scored between an A* and a B at A Level, which was one of the highest in the county. Top Russell Group universities such as Bristol, Durham and Oxbridge frequently feature on boys’ destination lists, while an increasing number of students accept prestigious apprenticeships. 

Outside of academics, The Judd School also offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities. The campus is a blend of traditional grounds and more modern, purpose-built facilities. Sports-wise, the school owns a site called Vizards, which is around 900 metres from the school, and it contains a 3G rugby pitch, 4 full-size football pitches (which can be converted to 5 full-size rugby pitches), as well as 2 grass cricket squares. On-site, there is a sports centre, which includes facilities for basketball, badminton and volleyball, as well as an all-weather pitch and multi-use games area outside. There is a wide range of clubs and societies on offer, such as Potions Club, Medical Society and Gardening Club, as well as facilities for the arts, including music practice rooms and recording facilities. 

High-performing state-funded grammar schools are not limited to Kent. Buckinghamshire, which retained its grammar schools during the government closures of the 1960s and 1970s, is home to an impressive number of excellent schools. Four of the county’s state schools ranked in the top ten in the South East of England in the Sunday Times Parent Power survey. Even more notably, these same schools are among the top fifty nationally, across primary, secondary, and independent sectors.

Among them, Beaconsfield High School — known locally as “Becky High”— stands out for its exceptional academic results. Yet, reviewers describe the all-girls school as a calm, approachable, and welcoming environment. Students are reportedly happy, motivated, and proud of their school, with a strong work ethic.

A 2024 Ofsted inspection rated Beaconsfield High as Outstanding, highlighting that its achievements extend beyond exam performance. Ofsted praised the school for fostering “character and becoming a rounded individual,” noting its wide-ranging extracurricular opportunities, particularly in the performing arts.

Academic results are consistently impressive. At A Level, half of all grades were A or A*, with 43 students achieving straight A*/A across three or four subjects, and 56 students earning at least one A* grade. At GCSE in 2025, 23% of grades were Level 9, and 50% were Levels 8 and 9. Overall, 71% of results were Level 7 or above, and 90% of students achieved Level 6 or higher.

Like Kent, Buckinghamshire retained its grammar schools when selective state education was phased out elsewhere in the UK. The county is home to some of the country’s top state-funded secondary schools. Dr Challoner’s High School, alongside its local counterpart Beaconsfield High School, forms a powerhouse of selective state education that rivals the best in the nation, whether state or independent.

Exam results at Dr Challoner’s are consistently outstanding, and the school is highly oversubscribed. Students develop a reputation locally for being confident and well-rounded, thanks in part to the wide range of extracurricular opportunities available.

In recent years, Dr Challoner’s High School has been named the best secondary school in Buckinghamshire, despite strong competition from other local grammar schools. This ranking is based on Key Stage 4 performance, particularly the number of students achieving strong passes (Grades 9–5) in English and Mathematics. In 2025, 99.5% of students achieved a strong pass, an almost perfect result. That year also saw the best results in the school’s history, with 83% of all grades at 7, 8, or 9.

A-Level results in 2025 were also record-breaking: 56% of all grades were A* or A, 83% were A*–B, and 95% were C or above. Record numbers of students secured places at their university of choice.

Common FAQs on Working with an Education Consultant 

The decision on where your child should go to school or university is a critical one, and can be exciting, complicated, and even a little overwhelming for any parent.  

It can be the culmination of years of your child’s hard work and careful planning, and can open up avenues for their education and career that enable them to flourish – or close them off. Top independent schools and world-class universities can have idiosyncratic admissions processes and challenging criteria, which can make an application even more complex and stressful. To top it off, if your child is also applying to a school or university in a different and unfamiliar country, perhaps because your family has relocated, an additional layer of problems and questions can arise.

How can you and your child make a more informed and ultimately more successful decision? How can you make the application process more transparent and easier to navigate? An Education Consultant could provide the professional expertise you need.

In recent years, many independent senior schools that have put pre-tests in place have purposefully designed them with as little transparency as possible. It is for this reason that the tests are often computer generated and no past papers are issued. As such, no tutor can claim to have in depth knowledge or experience of the tests themselves, in their current form.

For schools following the Pre-Assessment route, children will usually be asked to sit a Pre-Test in Year 5, 6 or 7 (Year 6 is the norm).

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys is a selective, state grammar school, based in Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Founded as a technical school in 1956, and becoming a grammar school in 1982, the school admits boys from Year 7 to Year 11, though the Sixth Form is co-educational. Parents considering grammar school education across the county should also see our guide to Kent grammar school admissions.

In terms of academics, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys has a strong reputation. In the most recent academic year, over 65% of students scored between an A* and a B at A Level, while around 80% of the year gained a place at their top choice of university, many of which were Russell Group universities such as Cambridge, Bath and Durham.

Alongside academics, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys offers a plethora of extra-curricular activities. The school operates across two distinct campuses: one in Tunbridge Wells, which is the main site, and another in Sevenoaks, both of which accommodate students and various facilities. There is a wide variety of clubs and societies on offer, such as Gardening Club, Spanish Film Club and Pride Club, which are run by staff members and take place during lunchtimes and after school. The school has excellent sports facilities, including a modern sports centre, a 3G pitch and a multi-use games area for sports including basketball, netball and tennis. There is a drama studio onsite, which is used for theatrical productions, as well as a music hall and various other spaces for rehearsals and lessons. 

Keystone's Founder, Will Orr-ewing, was mentioned in a recent LBC article.

The article features, Flossie McShea (17),and Katie Moore (43) who have added their support  to Will Orr-Ewing and Pete Montgomery’s legal fight against phones in schools.

This Instagram clip shares a clip of an interview. Good Morning Britain interview Flossie (17)  who made the decision join Keystone's founder, Will Orr-ewing, as they try to take legal action against phones in schools. She shares her own personal story of what she has witnessed in schools on harmful affect it has on children.

Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School is a selective, state grammar school, based in Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Founded in 1905 and having since gained academy status, Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School admits girls from Year 7 to Year 11. 

Academically, the school has maintained a strong record over the years. In the most recent year, over 75% of students scored between an A* and a B at A Level, with over 80% of the year continuing onto higher education, many of whom gaining places at top Russell Group Universities, including the University of Durham, Edinburgh and Oxford. The school is also noted for its Outstanding Ofsted inspection judgement, which reflects a high quality in teaching and pupil behaviour. 

In addition to academics, Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities. There is a rich variety of clubs and societies, such as Chess Club, Textiles Club and Mythology Club, many of which are student-led and run throughout the school week. The school offers excellent sports facilities, including a sports hall for indoor sports including badminton, volleyball and basketball, large playing fields and several tennis and netball courts. In terms of the arts, the school contains purpose-built facilities, including a music block which includes both teaching and practice rooms, as well as several spaces which are used for theatrical productions. 

Choosing the right school for your child is a pivotal decision, and for parents in Buckinghamshire, the selection of grammar schools offers a pathway to exceptional education. With some of the highest-performing selective schools in the country, Buckinghamshire offers excellent options for families looking for a rigorous academic environment, enriching extracurriculars, and strong university progression.

Here’s a detailed look at the top grammar schools in Buckinghamshire and what you need to know about the admissions process.

London is home to some of the most academically successful state grammar schools in the UK. For parents searching for the best grammar school in London, this guide explains the leading selective schools, how admissions work, and what you need to know to give your child the best chance of success. 

This article covers the story of a young teenager who made the decision join Keystone's founder, Will Orr-ewing, as they try to take legal action against phones in schools. She shares her own personal story of what she has witnessed in schools on other student's phones.

Keystone's Founder, Will Orr-ewing, was mentioned in a recent Great British News article.

The article features, Flossie McShea (17), who shares her personal experience and explains why she has joined Will's legal challenge and is also advocating for the removal of phones.

Tonbridge Grammar School is a selective, state secondary school, based in Tonbridge in Kent. Having been granted academy status in 2011, Tonbridge Grammar was founded in 1905, and admits girls from Year 7 to Year 11, with a co-educational Sixth Form. Tonbridge Grammar sits within the highly competitive group of Kent grammar schools.

Having recently ranked as the top grammar school in Kent (based on exam results), Tonbridge Grammar’s reputation for academia is well-established. In the most recent year, 91.5% of pupils’ A Level results were from A* to B, and students gained places at a significant number of Russell Group Universities, including Oxbridge, Edinburgh and Bath.

Tonbridge Grammar offers a plethora of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Sports facilities are ample, with the main Deakin Leas site including an indoor sports hall, as well as extensive outdoor spaces used for sports including netball and athletics. Beyond sport, Tonbridge Grammar offers a broad selection of clubs and societies, including chess, debating and philosophy clubs. Regarding the arts, music and drama are supported through specialist rehearsal spaces and studios, and various performances are held throughout the school year. 

Sutton Grammar School is a selective, state secondary school, based in Sutton in South London. Granted academy status in 2011, Sutton admits boys from Year 7 to Year 11, with a co-educational Sixth Form.

Sutton Grammar’s academic standards have been consistently high for many years. In the most recent year, 87% of A Levels ranged from an A* to a B, and over 60% of students gained a place at their first choice university; some of these destinations included Russell Group universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. Sutton remains one of the most competitive boroughs for grammar school admissions in South London.

In addition, a rich extra-curricular programme is offered at Sutton Grammar. The campus features extensive playing fields at the off-site Walch Memorial Grounds, which are used for team sports including cricket, athletics and football. On-site, there are multiple specialist science laboratories, art and design studios and modern technology blocks, along with a fully equipped music centre and performance spaces.