Sir William Borlase's Grammar School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Name: Sir William Borlase's Grammar School
• Location: West Street, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 2BR
• Type: Mixed Grammar School (Academy Converter)
• Age Range: 11-18 years
• Principal: Mr Ed Goodall
• Pupils: Approximately 1,191
• Ofsted Rating: Outstanding (May 2024)
• 11+ Exam: Secondary Transfer Test (STT) by GL Assessment
• Test Components: Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning

About Sir William Borlase's Grammar School

Sir William Borlase's Grammar School represents nearly four centuries of educational excellence in the historic market town of Marlow. This exceptional grammar school combines academic rigour with a nurturing environment that develops well-rounded individuals prepared for future leadership roles.

Operating within the Marlow Education Trust and as part of the prestigious Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools consortium, the school benefits from collaborative partnerships that enhance educational opportunities. The school's Outstanding Ofsted rating reflects its commitment to maintaining the highest academic standards whilst fostering personal development through an extensive programme of extracurricular activities.

The school's location in Marlow provides students with access to excellent transport links whilst maintaining the charm of a traditional market town setting. With the River Thames nearby and proximity to London, families appreciate the school's blend of academic excellence and quality of life that Buckinghamshire offers.

The school's ethos centres on developing intellectual curiosity, personal integrity, and social responsibility. Students are encouraged to excel academically whilst contributing meaningfully to their community through service and leadership opportunities.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Sir William Borlase's Grammar School uses the Secondary Transfer Test (STT), administered by GL Assessment, to select students for Year 7 entry. This comprehensive assessment evaluates students across three core areas designed to identify academic potential and readiness for grammar school education.

Test Structure

The STT comprises two papers, each lasting approximately 60 minutes:

• Verbal Reasoning (50% weighting): Assesses comprehension, vocabulary, and logical reasoning through language-based problems
• Mathematics (25% weighting): Tests numerical skills, problem-solving abilities, and mathematical reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning (25% weighting): Evaluates logical thinking through visual patterns, spatial awareness, and abstract reasoning

Assessment Content

The Mathematics component covers key areas from the National Curriculum including number operations, fractions, decimals, percentages, algebra basics, geometry, and data handling. Questions require both computational accuracy and problem-solving skills.

Verbal Reasoning sections include comprehension passages, vocabulary tests, verbal analogies, word classification, and logical deduction problems. This component particularly emphasises analytical thinking and language comprehension skills.

Non-Verbal Reasoning presents students with visual puzzles, pattern completion, spatial rotation tasks, and logical sequences using shapes and symbols. These questions assess innate reasoning ability independent of language skills.

How to Apply

The application process for Sir William Borlase's Grammar School requires careful planning and adherence to strict deadlines administered by Buckinghamshire County Council.

Application Timeline

Summer Term (Year 5): Registration opens for the Secondary Transfer Test. Parents must register their child through the Buckinghamshire County Council online portal by the specified deadline, typically in early July.

September (Year 6): The STT takes place on a Saturday morning in September. Students attend their designated test centre as specified in their registration confirmation.

October: Test results are released, indicating whether students have achieved the qualifying standard for grammar school places.

October 31st: Deadline for submitting secondary school preference forms through the Buckinghamshire online admissions system.

March 1st: National offer day when families receive notification of secondary school places.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must be in Year 6 and applying for September entry to Year 7. The child must be resident in England and the family must complete all required documentation by the specified deadlines.

For students moving to Buckinghamshire from other areas, late transfer arrangements may be possible, subject to availability and successful completion of appropriate assessments.

Preparing for the Sir William Borlase's Grammar School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Preparation for the Sir William Borlase's Grammar School 11+ tends to go best when it starts early and stays steady, and most families who work with us begin between twelve and eighteen months out. Our tutors, who have prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, plan the work backwards from the school's own assessment format and registration deadline.

The tutors we match to 11+ preparation are drawn from a pool in which more than half hold Qualified Teacher Status, around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate, and which includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.

Families work with us online from anywhere in the UK or abroad, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject, with no registration fee and a free initial consultation to talk through your child's current level and the timeline to the 11+. Families receive progress reports after sessions and have a dedicated point of contact, and we reply to enquiries within one working day with tutor recommendations.

Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.