Burnham Grammar School: Admissions, 11+ and Catchment
Burnham Grammar School is a co-educational selective secondary school in Burnham, Buckinghamshire, educating pupils aged 11–18. For families considering Year 7 entry, understanding the school’s admissions criteria, Buckinghamshire 11+ test and catchment arrangements is essential when deciding whether to apply. Parents comparing local options can also explore Think Academy’s guide to the best grammar schools in the UK to learn more about selective schools and their admissions processes.
For September 2027 entry, Burnham Grammar School has a published admission number of 180 Year 7 places. Children normally need to qualify through the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test, but achieving the qualifying score does not guarantee a place. The school applies its published oversubscription criteria when there are more eligible applicants than available places.
Parents should check the school’s official admissions information before making decisions about an application.
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Where Is Burnham Grammar School?
Burnham Grammar School is located on Hogfair Lane in Burnham, near Slough, Buckinghamshire. It is a mixed grammar school, meaning it admits both boys and girls, and provides education from Year 7 through to sixth form.
Families researching the school should consider more than its academic reputation. The school’s location, travel arrangements, curriculum, pastoral support and admissions requirements all matter when deciding whether it is suitable for their child.
You can find the school’s official details and current admissions information through the Burnham Grammar School website.
Burnham Grammar School Admissions
Admission to Year 7 is based on the school’s published admissions policy. Applicants generally need to achieve the qualifying standard in the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test before they can be considered for a grammar school place.
However, qualifying for a grammar school and receiving an offer are two different things. When the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available places, Burnham Grammar School uses its oversubscription criteria to determine who receives an offer.
How many Year 7 places are available?
For September 2027 entry, Burnham Grammar School has published an admission number of 180 places.
This is the number of pupils the school plans to admit at its normal Year 7 entry point. It does not mean that every child who qualifies in the 11+ test will receive an offer, because the school may have more qualified applicants than places.
What happens after a child qualifies?
Once a child achieves the qualifying standard, the school considers the application under its admissions policy. Factors can include catchment-area eligibility, sibling priority and other specified criteria.
The exact order of priority matters. Parents should read the policy for their child’s intended entry year rather than assume that qualifying for the test or living nearby guarantees admission.
For the latest arrangements, consult the 2027 admissions policy on the Buckinghamshire school directory.
Burnham Grammar School 11+ Exam
Burnham Grammar School uses the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test, commonly called the 11+, as part of its selective admissions process.
The test is managed through The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools and Buckinghamshire Council. It assesses skills used to determine whether children meet the academic standard for grammar school entry.
What score is needed to qualify?
For Buckinghamshire grammar schools, a standardised score of 121 or above normally means a child has qualified through the Secondary Transfer Test. However, the result does not guarantee a place at Burnham Grammar School.
The school’s admissions policy includes additional criteria that determine how places are allocated when demand exceeds capacity. Some circumstances, such as eligibility under specific priority provisions, are also addressed in the published policy.
Parents should distinguish between the qualifying standard and the score or circumstances needed to secure an offer in a particular year.
What does the Buckinghamshire 11+ test assess?
The Secondary Transfer Test assesses a range of academic skills. Preparation commonly covers:
- Verbal reasoning: recognising patterns, relationships between words and logical connections.
- Mathematics: numerical fluency, arithmetic and problem-solving.
- English-related skills: vocabulary, comprehension and understanding language.
- Non-verbal and spatial reasoning: interpreting visual patterns, shapes and diagrams.
The exact assessment format and question balance should be checked against the current official familiarisation materials.
How should children prepare for the 11+?
A structured preparation plan can help children become more confident with the question styles and time limits they may encounter.
Parents can begin by identifying weaker areas, then build a routine that combines targeted practice, review and timed exercises. Children should understand why answers are correct rather than simply memorise solutions.
Think Academy’s 11+ practice questions can help families identify areas for improvement and plan further revision.
Burnham Grammar School Catchment Area
Catchment is an important consideration for families applying to Burnham Grammar School. However, living within the catchment area does not automatically guarantee a place.
The school uses its own published admissions criteria to determine how qualified applicants are prioritised. The policy sets out how catchment, sibling priority and other circumstances affect the allocation of places.
How can parents check whether they live in catchment?
The most reliable approach is to use the official Buckinghamshire Council school admissions directory and catchment checker.
The council’s school finder and catchment information allows parents to check a home address against published school information. The council explains that its distance calculations are a guide and may differ slightly from the distances used in official allocations.
Parents should also check the school’s current admissions policy for the definition of catchment and any address deadlines that apply.
Does living close to the school guarantee admission?
No. Catchment status is only one part of the admissions process. Children must normally meet the qualifying standard, and the school then applies its oversubscription criteria if there are more eligible applicants than places.
Distance can also be relevant within the school’s allocation rules, but previous years’ offer distances should not be treated as a guarantee for future intakes.
Families moving house should pay particular attention to the school’s rules about the normal home address and the date by which a new address must be established.
How to Apply to Burnham Grammar School
Applications involve both the selective testing process and the main secondary school application. Parents must make sure they complete the appropriate steps and meet the relevant deadlines.
For September 2027 entry, the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test registration period ran from 1 May to 2 June 2026. The main test took place in September, and results were released on 9 October 2026.
The deadline for submitting the main secondary school application is 31 October 2026. As this date is approaching, families applying for September 2027 should check their application immediately.
The main steps are:
- Check the admissions policy: review the entry requirements, catchment rules and oversubscription criteria.
- Register for the 11+: follow the official Secondary Transfer Test process for the relevant entry year.
- Review the result: confirm whether your child has qualified for grammar school consideration.
- Submit the secondary school application: apply through your home local authority and list schools in genuine preference order.
- Check all requirements: confirm that the application is complete and that any supporting evidence required under the policy has been provided.
For official dates and instructions, visit Buckinghamshire Council’s grammar school and 11+ guidance.
Burnham Grammar School Exam Results and Academic Performance
Parents often research school results when comparing secondary school options. It is important, however, to distinguish between 11+ entrance-test results and GCSE or A-level results.
The 11+ determines whether a child meets the academic qualifying standard for grammar school consideration. GCSE and A-level results reflect pupils’ academic attainment later in their school careers.
Where can parents find GCSE results?
The Department for Education publishes school performance data, including GCSE measures. Parents can use the official school performance tables to find the latest available figures for Burnham Grammar School.
Useful measures include:
- Attainment 8: achievement across a defined group of GCSE subjects.
- English and mathematics: the proportion of pupils achieving key grade thresholds in these subjects.
- EBacc results: achievement across a group of academic subjects.
- Progress measures: where published and applicable, these help show how pupils perform relative to expectations based on prior attainment.
When comparing schools, use the same reporting year and measures wherever possible. Results can change annually, and academic performance should be considered alongside the wider school experience.
Is Burnham Grammar School the Right Choice?
A grammar school may suit a child who enjoys academic challenge, but it is important to consider the whole school experience rather than focusing only on selection and exam results.
Parents may want to explore the following areas before applying.
Academic environment
Consider the curriculum, subject options, homework expectations and the support available to pupils who find particular topics challenging.
Travel and daily routine
Check the journey from home, public transport options and the time needed to travel each day. A school that appears suitable academically may be less practical if the journey is difficult.
Pastoral support and extracurricular activities
Look at the school’s approach to wellbeing, clubs, sport, music and other activities. These can play an important role in helping pupils settle into secondary school and develop interests outside lessons.
Compare different school types
Grammar schools are not the only route to a strong education. Families should compare available secondary schools and consider their child’s learning needs, confidence and interests before deciding which preferences to submit.
Think Academy’s guide to grammar schools versus independent schools explains some of the differences between these types of education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burnham Grammar School a mixed school?
Yes. Burnham Grammar School admits both boys and girls and provides education for pupils aged 11–18.
What is the qualifying score for Burnham Grammar School?
The standard qualifying score for Buckinghamshire grammar schools is normally 121 in the Secondary Transfer Test. Achieving this score does not guarantee a place at Burnham Grammar School, because the school also applies its admissions criteria.
How many Year 7 places does Burnham Grammar School offer?
The published admission number for September 2027 entry is 180 places.
Does Burnham Grammar School have a catchment area?
The school’s admissions arrangements include catchment-area criteria. Parents should use the official catchment checker and read the current admissions policy to understand how their home address affects their application.
Can a child qualify for the 11+ but not receive a place?
Yes. Qualification means the child meets the academic standard for grammar school consideration. If more qualified children apply than there are places, the school allocates places using its published oversubscription criteria.
When is the deadline for September 2027 entry?
The main secondary school application deadline is 31 October 2026. The registration deadline for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test was earlier in the year, so families should check the official guidance if they have missed a step.
Final Thoughts
Burnham Grammar School is a selective mixed secondary school in Buckinghamshire, with 180 Year 7 places published for September 2027. Families considering the school should understand the Secondary Transfer Test, check the catchment arrangements and read the admissions policy before submitting their preferences.
The key point is that qualifying for the 11+ does not guarantee admission. Catchment status, oversubscription criteria and the number of available places also matter.
For accurate information, use the school’s official admissions page and Buckinghamshire Council’s guidance. If your child is preparing for a future entry year, regular practice and a clear study plan can help build the skills and confidence needed for the assessment.
