Burnham Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Burnham Grammar School

Burnham Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Buckinghamshire. For children to get into Burnham Grammar School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Burnham Grammar School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the heart of Buckinghamshire, Burnham Grammar School (BGS) stands as a beacon of academic excellence and holistic development for students aged 11 to 18. As a coeducational grammar school and a recognised Specialist Science College, BGS offers a dynamic and nurturing learning environment that empowers students to reach their full potential.

At the core of BGS's educational philosophy lies a commitment to fostering responsible learners who possess the resilience and adaptability to thrive in an ever-changing world. The school's dedicated faculty works tirelessly to provide students with a robust foundation in key subjects, including mathematics, literature, sciences, arts, and languages, while also encouraging them to explore their passions through a diverse range of extracurricular activities. From engaging in sports like rugby and netball to expressing their creativity through musical choirs and drama clubs, students at BGS have ample opportunities to develop their talents and forge lasting friendships.

Beyond academic pursuits, BGS places great emphasis on character development and community engagement. Through its house system, students learn the values of teamwork, leadership, and healthy competition, as they strive to embody the qualities of the prominent historical figures after whom each house is named. Moreover, the school actively encourages students to give back to their community through volunteering and mentoring initiatives, instilling in them a sense of social responsibility and empathy.

The success of Burnham Grammar School's approach is evident in its students' outstanding academic achievements and the glowing feedback received from Ofsted inspections. With its unwavering commitment to providing a well-rounded education, supportive learning environment, and opportunities for personal growth, BGS continues to shape the minds and hearts of its students, preparing them to become the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Burnham Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

Burnham Grammar School is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,264 pupils attend Burnham Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Dr Andrew Gillespie.

Burnham Grammar School Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Burnham Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Information

In order to get into Burnham Grammar School, children need to pass the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT). This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Subjects & Structure

The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English comprehension
• Technical English
• Verbal reasoning
• Key Stage 2 maths
• Non-verbal reasoning
• Spatial reasoning

The Secondary Transfer Test is an assessment used for admission into Burnham Grammar School. This exam, provided by GL Assessment, evaluates students' abilities across a range of subjects through two separate one-hour papers.

The first paper focuses on verbal skills, assessing the student's proficiency in English comprehension, technical English, and verbal reasoning. The second paper concentrates on mathematical and non-verbal skills, testing the student's knowledge of Key Stage 2 maths, as well as their aptitude in non-verbal reasoning and spatial reasoning.

By examining a diverse set of skills and subjects, the Secondary Transfer Test aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of a student's academic potential, which is then used to determine their suitability for admission into Burnham Grammar School.

Other Schools using Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT)

As well as Burnham Grammar School, several other schools also use Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT). These are:

• Aylesbury Grammar School
• Aylesbury High School
• Beaconsfield High School
• Chesham Grammar School
• Dr Challoner's Grammar School
• Dr Challoner's High School
• John Hampden Grammar School
• Royal Latin School
• Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School
• Sir William Borlase's Grammar School
• The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
• Wycombe High School

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Burnham Grammar School is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Burnham Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) tests (to get into Burnham Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Burnham Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Burnham Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 22/11/2012 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 13/12/2012, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Burnham Grammar School per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, Burnham Grammar School has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Ensure you double-check with Burnham Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.