Sir William Borlase's Grammar School
School summary
An Ofsted rating of Outstanding across every category, from quality of education to sixth form, places Sir William Borlase's Grammar School among the most highly regarded state schools in Buckinghamshire. This large mixed grammar in Marlow has around 1,205 pupils on roll, comfortably above its official capacity of 1,085, which speaks to sustained demand for places. With 150 places at 11+ and entry through the competitive Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools consortium, admission is selective and sought after. The relatively low proportion of pupils on free school meals (2.7%) reflects the affluent area it serves.
How hard is it to get in?
Highly competitive · 4 of 5 on the Passmate scale. Applications far outnumber the 150 Year 7 places each September, so exam performance matters more here than at most selective schools.
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
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Latest results
Attainment 8
72.4
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
97%
National average 47%
GCSE grade 9-7
66%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
55%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
82%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Outstanding
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Outstanding
- Last inspected
- 1 May 2024
Teaching & academics
Results here are exceptional by any measure. The average Attainment 8 score of 72.4 sits far above the national average of 46.9, and an impressive 97% of pupils secure grade 5 or above in English and Maths, against a national figure of 47%. With a pupil-to-teacher ratio of about 19.6 and an Outstanding judgement for sixth form, the academic environment is both demanding and well supported.
Languages
Headteacher · Ed Goodall
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 420
- Sixth-form Ofsted
- Outstanding
Beyond the classroom
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1624
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 5.48%
- EHC plans
- 0.5%
- English as additional language
- 11.4%
- Free school meals
- 2.7%
Schools nearby
Herschel Grammar School
Slough, South East
Upton Court Grammar School
Slough, South East
Dr Challoner's Grammar School
Amersham, South East
Dr Challoner's High School
Amersham, South East
Kendrick School
Reading, South East
The Latymer School
London, Greater London
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A high-performing, selective grammar that consistently delivers outstanding outcomes. Families confident their child will thrive under genuine academic pressure will find much to admire.
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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Sir William Borlase's 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.