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.
Entry Points
The school has two standard entry points, in Year 7 and Year 12. Each year around 180 girls are admitted into Year 7, with 30 places offered to external candidates for Sixth Form study.
Irregular applications for Years 8, 9 and 10 should be made directly to Buckinghamshire Council. Those looking for admission into Year 10 are required to pass assessments in English, Maths, Science, as well as a choice of Language from French, Latin or Spanish.
Admission Requirements for 11+ Entry
Admissions for Beaconsfield High School are managed by Buckinghamshire Council, who administer what is known as the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STTS), details of which are provided below. Girls will be considered for admission at 11+ if they meet the necessary qualifying mark of 121 across the two papers of the test. Girl’s scores are age-standardised to make sure that all students are put on an equal footing, regardless of their exact date of birth.
The council suggests that all students who meet the STTS minimum score of 121 will qualify automatically for a grammar school spot. However, as schools will invariably be oversubscribed, the oversubscription criteria will normally be applied and not all students will get into their school of first choice. In the case of Beaconsfield, the oversubscription criteria set out quite strict terms – and arguably quite democratic or at least localist terms, at least if you live in Buckinghamshire.
In summary, the oversubscription criteria at Beaconsfield High School dictate that girls who are technically Looked After, or have an entitlement to the Pupil Premium - and who live in the catchment area – will be the first to be allocated at place at the school, even if they have not quite made the 121 mark. Thereafter the sisters of existing pupils are considered before the school turns to admitting girls from within the given catchment area. Only then will the school turn to students not from within the immediate area.
Tests take place in early-mid September and those of an appropriate age attending Buckinghamshire primaries will be tested in their schools. Those attending other schools sit the test at a Buckingham grammar, or another central test venue.
What sort of questions should I expect in the Beaconsfield High School entrance tests?
The Secondary Transfer Test or STTS comprises two separate test papers, both of which need to be completed on the same day. These conform to expectations parents and students will have of the 11+ with multiple-choice questions. Each test paper last around 45 minutes.
The first element tests verbal skills so expect comprehension, technical English and verbal reasoning. The second test assesses mathematics and non-verbal skills, which will include spatial reasoning.
For the English element, there will be a text to read and more or less complex comprehension questions to address regarding what you have read. You may be required to spot spelling or punctuation mistakes. Verbal reasoning requires the candidate to consider words and letters and the relationships between them.
For Non-Verbal Reasoning, candidates will assess the relationship between shapes, how they are similar / different, and to gauge any changes from within a sequence. For Maths, you must answer multiple-choice questions, using mathematical and numerical skills. It is advised that this will be a challenging section of the test.
Buckinghamshire schools provide a sample booklet containing all relevant elements here.
16+ (Sixth Form) Admission Requirements for Beaconsfield High School
Applications from external candidates are made direct to the school itself, and an application form is available on their website.
The minimum entry requirements are equal for both internal and external candidates. Most students are expected to sit 3 subjects at A Level, plus an Extended Project Qualification. At GCSE, girls will have gained a minimum of 46 points from across their best eight GCSE’s, with Level 5 at least in both English and Maths. They should also meet the subject requirements for each of those they apply to study, as outlined in the Sixth Form Prospectus.
Preparation Tips for Beaconsfield High School Admissions Test
Competition is strong across all Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools, and as such students will have to be on top of their game to succeed. In common with other schools in the area, Beaconsfield High School applicants do get the chance to sit a Practise Test in exam conditions via their primary or partner school before. A solid foundation of exam practise in timed conditions, as well as familiarity with KS2 curriculum content, should serve as the basis for success in these tests,
Students should be up to date with the testing format, based on the multiple choice elements outlined above,. More details and further examples can be found at GL Assessment with whom the Local Authority partners for testing.
Keystone Tutors have an exceptional record of preparing students for the 11+ exams, and employ specialist grammar school entrance tutors who can guide families through the whole process. Please call the office for a chat about any aspect of the process with one of our experienced client managers.
View our 11+ Grammar School Entrance tutors.