John Hampden Grammar School
School summary
A selective boys' grammar in High Wycombe, John Hampden carries an Outstanding judgement from Ofsted across every category inspected, from quality of education to its sixth form. With roughly 1,271 boys on roll against a capacity of 1,150, the school is running comfortably over its intended size, a sign of sustained demand. Around a fifth of pupils speak English as an additional language, while the proportion needing SEN support or eligible for free school meals sits well below what many schools report. Families looking for an academically focused, consistently high-performing state option will find plenty to consider here.
How hard is it to get in?
Very competitive · 3 of 5 on the Passmate scale. Demand comfortably exceeds the 180 Year 7 places each year - a clear pass, not a borderline one, is what wins a place.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
Key dates · 2028 entry
Free month · No payment needed
Latest results
Attainment 8
72.3
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
98%
National average 47%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Outstanding
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Outstanding
- Last inspected
- 14 September 2022
Teaching & academics
The results speak plainly: an average Attainment 8 of 72.3 against a national figure of 46.9, and 98 per cent of pupils securing at least a grade 5 in English and Maths where the national average is 47 per cent. This is a school where strong academic outcomes are the norm rather than the exception. The pupil-to-teacher ratio of about 20.1 reflects a large school, but Ofsted's Outstanding rating for quality of education suggests teaching keeps pace.
School life & ethos
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 2.05%
- EHC plans
- 0.71%
- English as additional language
- 20%
- Free school meals
- 4.7%
Schools nearby
Sir William Borlase's Grammar School
Marlow, South East
Dr Challoner's Grammar School
Amersham, South East
Dr Challoner's High School
Amersham, South East
Herschel Grammar School
Slough, South East
Upton Court Grammar School
Slough, South East
Kendrick School
Reading, South East
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
Outstanding across the board and producing results far above the national picture, John Hampden is a serious choice for academically able boys.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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John Hampden Grammar School 11+: frequently asked questions
Passmate rating: benchmarked against every selective school in England using official admissions data. It measures demand for places, not school quality. Updated July 2026.
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.