Ages 
A grammar school in its purest form: purposeful, determined and socially diverse. In the words of one mother: ‘I’d more than happily pay for this school.’
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,336 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 406 ·
- Religion
- None
- Local authority
- Buckinghamshire County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Headmaster
Mr Mark Sturgeon
Since 2014, Mark Sturgeon (40s). Educated at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, University of Liverpool (geography) and the Institute of Education, University of London (PGCE). A qualification as an FA football coach took him to the USA (unpaid) and t
Entrance
Via secondary transfer test administered by Bucks County Council in September of year 6. Admission purely on qualifying score (121). Six places protected for students on free school meals who score between 115-121. Further opportunities for admiss
- Admissions policy
- Academically selective state school
- Open days
- Check school website
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Just over five per cent leave post GCSEs. Excellent guidance takes boys to a broad array of universities. Eight to Oxbridge in 2024, and usually double figures for medics. Significant numbers to Durham, Nottingham, Warwick, Liverpool, UCL and Bris
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2024, 80 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 100 per cent 9-4 in both English and maths. At A level, 54 per cent A*/A (76 per cent A*-B).
% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)
What is this?
Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.
Teaching & learning
Respectably placed in the league tables and climbing steadily – now challenging the big guns in South Bucks’ leafier suburbs. Broad, traditional-ish curriculum with options including economics, business and Latin as well as all the usual suspects
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Super SEN provision – known as Student Support – described by head as a ‘phenomenal department’. Over seven per cent of the cohort have identified needs (mainly dyslexia and dyspraxia but also several on the ASD spectrum) and are watched over by o
Arts & extracurricular
Music definitely not just a poor relation compared to sport: one elite rugby playing year 13 boy wistfully told us he wished he had joined the choir; ‘It would have been cool to have played for the first XV and have been a chorister.’ Music, DT, a
Sport
Rugby rules (‘massive’, say boys) - national and county level players and strong links forged with Wasps. Glory also achieved in footie (finalists and sometime winners in county cup for several years), tennis, squash, basketball, cricket and handb
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1598 by Sir Henry Lee, a champion of Elizabeth I. Situated in centre of Aylesbury until 1907, now in a residential area on the edge, with its sister school, Aylesbury High, just a few yards away across the Walton Road. Buildings, althou
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
The boys we met glowed with pride when talking about their school and were aware of their privileged situation in a way that many grammar students from more affluent catchments fail to be. They praised ‘diversity’, teachers that ‘always try to bri
Pupils & parents
With less than 10 per cent of cohort joining from the independent sector, school has a genuine grammar feel to it (couldn’t be mistaken for a private school), but matches and, in some ways, exceeds its slicker south Bucks counterparts in purposefu
Money matters
Like most state grammars, rather strapped for cash, but dynamic parents, staff and alumni enable school to fund improvements and new equipment. Bursaries available for trips abroad.
The last word
A grammar school in its purest form: purposeful, determined and socially diverse. In the words of one mother: ‘I’d more than happily pay for this school.’
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Outstanding
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
