John Hampden Grammar School -11+ Parent’s Guide
Essential Details
- Address: John Hampden Grammar School, Marlow Hill, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 1SZ
- Number of pupils: 1,050+
- Admissions contact: office@jhgs.bucks.sch.uk
- Number of places in Year 7: 150
- 11+ exam: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (11+ selection test)
- Catchment area: Priority given to Buckinghamshire residents
Mark Your Calendar
See John Hampden Grammar School’s website for latest information and key dates.
Exploring John Hampden Grammar School: A Parent’s Guide
John Hampden Grammar School, founded in 1893, is a high-performing selective boys’ school (co-educational in Sixth Form) consistently ranked among Buckinghamshire’s top state schools. Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted since 2012, JHGS achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.98 in 2023, placing it in the top 5% of schools nationally for value-added achievement.
The school offers a challenging academic curriculum with specialist programmes in engineering, computer science and economics. JHGS’s unique ‘Future Leaders’ initiative partners with Oxford University and local industries. Facilities include a £3.8 million STEM centre, professional-grade robotics lab and extensive sports complex.
With its strong house system and emphasis on character development, JHGS nurtures well-rounded individuals through debating, competitive sports and the Combined Cadet Force. The school boasts an impressive alumni network including FTSE 100 CEOs, Olympic athletes and prominent scientists.
Navigating the Application process for John Hampden Grammar School
- Automatic Registration: All Buckinghamshire primary school pupils are automatically registered for the 11+
- Understand Admissions Criteria: Places allocated by test score, with priority to Buckinghamshire residents
- Attend Open Events: September open mornings – booking essential
- Test Date: Usually second Thursday in September
- Results Released: Mid-October to inform school choices
- Application Deadline: CAF form due by 31 October
- Offer Day: National offer day 1 March
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What to Expect on Secondary Transfer Test at John Hampden Grammar School
The Buckinghamshire 11+ consists of:
- Verbal Reasoning: 50-minute paper (vocabulary, comprehension, verbal logic)
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: 50-minute paper (diagrammatic, spatial reasoning)
- Mathematics: 50-minute paper (arithmetic, problem-solving)
- Scoring: Standardised age-weighted scores (total possible 141 per paper)
- Pass Mark: Typically 121+ required for grammar school eligibility
Tailored Preparation for Success
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Expert Tips for Secondary Transfer Test Preparation
- Master Bucks-Specific Formats: The verbal reasoning paper includes unique question types
- Develop Spatial Reasoning: Non-verbal section tests complex 3D visualisation
- Perfect Mental Arithmetic: Maths paper demands rapid, accurate calculations
- Practice Under Strict Timings: Only 50 seconds per question on average
- Build Advanced Vocabulary: Focus on synonyms, antonyms and analogies
- Simulate Full Tests Weekly: Build stamina for 2.5 hours of testing
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