Hello

This might sounds like a silly question but is it ever possible for a child to pass the 11+ but not get a grammar school place?

We're considering a move to Bucks in the long term (little DD is only 5 at the mo) but I thought I'd have a look at the stats anyway.

From what I understand the Bucks system to be, you "qualify" for a place with an 11+ score of 121 but that doesn't automatically mean you get given a grammar school place. I had a look on the Bucks website and eventually found some stats which seemed to suggest that within Bucks 1801 pupils qualified (after appeals) but only 1744 were allocated a place at a Bucks grammar school.

Hope I don't sound silly but what would have happened to the 60 something children?

Does this also mean that looking at school admissions policies is worth doing too, just to make sure? It seems a bit unfair to go through this whole 11+ process, pass and still not get a place!!!

Thanks so much to anyone who can offer some advice or experience!!

Welcome to the forum.


There is no guarantee but there should be adequte places for Buckinghamshire pupils. I think there was one area of South Bucks in 2018 where there was a bit of a pinch point for boys & they adjusted the catchment area.


Some (?most) will have declined their place in favour of a private school (or indeed other school in another county such as Hertfordshire as they may be near the border & prefer a comprehensive school)
Some will have only put one grammar school which they were never going to get due to not meeting the admissions criteria (distance usually).


Yes, always look at the admission criteria. In Bucks they are largely an 11 plus score of 121+, and then distance. If you look in this post you will see allocations for each school. They are also on the Bucks County Council website. Of course distances can change (shrink usually) and many schools are now including lower scores for pupil premium pupils which may make a difference.


I really am no expert, but I would say, apart from a very few pupils in slightly unusual circumstances you would be very unlucky not to get a place in a Bucks grammar school as a qualifying Bucks resident applying for a school close enough to your home address. Of course things can change

Thanks so much Scary Mum, that's really helpful.

We were considering High Wycombe but then realised that there is only one girls' grammar whilst there are two for the boys!!!

Seems a bit unfair but then I saw that Beaconsfield High School is girls only. I'm presuming that's also worth considering?

I'm presuming a house in the catchment for both would be ideal to keep our options as open as possible.

It's such a nightmare isn't it? I can't believe we're thinking about secondary already, she's only in Year 1!!

You also need to consider the local Upper Schools if she shouldn't achieve a score of 121+. Some of the Upper Schools are more desirable than others.