Aylesbury High School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

​Aylesbury High School is a leading selective grammar school for girls situated in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Established in 1959, it provides an exceptional education to over 1,280 pupils aged 11 to 18. The comprehensive curriculum covers Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Many parents choose AHS school because it is consistently ranked among the best grammar schools in UK. It currently holds an Ofsted Rating of "Outstanding," reflecting its supportive learning environment and academic rigour.

AHS School distinguishes itself as a Google Reference School and holder of the prestigious CyberFirst Gold Award, reflecting its pioneering digital strategy. Beyond academics, the school fosters holistic growth through its core values of Aspiration, Bravery, Curiosity, and Generosity, ensuring students are confident and fully prepared for life.

In this guide, I apply 18+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Aylesbury High School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar / Academy
  
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
  
• Gender Type: Girls
  
• Religion: None
  
• Age Range: 11–18
  
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1320+
  
• Aylesbury High School GCSE Results (2025): 71% achieved Grades 7–9
  
• Aylesbury High School A-Level Results (2025): 75% achieved Grades A*–B

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Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
  
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 189
  
• Exam Board: GL Assessment
  
• Number of Stages: 1 (Secondary Transfer Test)
  
• School Catchment Area: Yes. (See Below for more details)
  
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: 121 (Qualifying Score)

Successfully navigating the secondary transfer timeline requires foresight. I have compiled the official 11 plus exam dates 2027 Buckinghamshire schedule for Aylesbury High School to aid your planning. 

This calendar highlights the essential Aylesbury High School open day and confirmed Aylesbury High School 11 plus exam dates. Ensure you are prepared for the 11+ Exam date and all critical 11 plus exam dates. Check the school's Ofsted rating for performance context.

These dates are arranged chronologically to help you plan the academic year.

Admissions to Aylesbury High School are coordinated by Buckinghamshire Council via the Secondary Transfer Test. Parents seeking places at grammar schools in Buckinghamshire for September 2027 must adhere to strict deadlines in 2026. The 11 plus exam process differs depending on your daughter's current primary school.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

To secure a place at this AHS school, your daughter must sit the Secondary Transfer Test.

• Buckinghamshire State Primary Students: Registration is usually automatic. You will receive a confirmation letter from your current school.
  
• Partner/Independent/Out-of-County Schools: You must manually register your daughter for the 11+ Exam on the Buckinghamshire Council website.
• Registration Window: Typically opens in May 2026 and closes in June 2026.

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Submitting the Application

Passing the test does not automatically grant a place; you must formally apply for admission.

• The Common Application Form (CAF): Apply through your home Local Authority. Residents of London boroughs should use the Pan London eAdmissions System.
  
• Submission Deadline: The national closing date is 31st October 2026.
  
• School Preferences: You must list Aylesbury High School as a preference on your CAF.
  
• Admissions Policy: For detailed selection criteria, refer to the Aylesbury High School Admissions Policy.
  

The Aylesbury High School Catchment Area is strictly defined by the Buckinghamshire Council. As outlined in the Aylesbury High School Admissions Policy, priority is awarded to qualifying girls residing within this designated zone.

For the 11 plus test, your address is verified using Local Authority data. Distance is measured in a direct "as the crow flies" line from the child’s permanent residence.

The AHS School Catchment Area typically encompasses Aylesbury town and surrounding villages in the Vale. Parents must verify their specific property status using the official Buckinghamshire Council postcode checker.

Living within the 11+ exam catchment is advantageous for securing a place. The School catchment area criteria are enforced rigorously to manage oversubscription for AHS School entrants.

As stated in the Aylesbury High School Admissions Policy, the school uses the Secondary Transfer Test to determine admission eligibility. This assessment is designed to test a child's potential rather than just their current knowledge.

The Aylesbury High School 11 Plus Test is administered by GL Assessment. It consists of two papers taken on the same day, testing a variety of skills to ensure a fair assessment of every pupil's ability.

Parent’s Top 4 Queries

Does the school set its own exam?

No, AHS School participates in the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test, coordinated by the local authority.

What is the pass mark?

The Qualifying Standard is a standardised score of 121 or above, though this does not guarantee a place due to oversubscription.

What exam board does AHS school follow?

GL Assessment (Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools).

How long is the 11+ Exam for AHS school?

Both Paper One and Paper Two are roughly 60 minutes long.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

The bucks 11 plus exam format utilizes separate answer sheets for all questions. It is vital that your daughter marks her answers with a clear horizontal line in the correct box using an HB pencil, as distinct marking ensures accurate machine scoring.

Admission to Aylesbury High School depends on the Secondary Transfer Test. To gain eligibility, students must achieve the qualifying score determined annually by Buckinghamshire Council.

Qualifying Thresholds

• Qualifying Score: Typically, a standardised score of 121 is required across the test.
• Criteria: Places are allocated to qualified girls based on the Aylesbury High School Admissions Policy.

While the 11 plus test results determine eligibility, high demand means AHS School often applies distance criteria. Thorough preparation is vital for the eleven plus exam.

Aylesbury High School is widely considered the gold standard for girls' state education in Buckinghamshire. However, the competition is fierce, with hundreds of applicants vying for approximately 189 Year 7 places.

Even high-achieving students need a robust backup plan, as admission is heavily reliant on catchment areas and the age-standardised score in the Secondary Transfer Test.

As an education consultant with over 18 years of experience, I often see parents fixate solely on "AHS School" and the GL Assessment format. This narrow focus can be risky.

​I always advise families to adopt a "3 Grammar, 2 Private" portfolio strategy. This approach ensures your daughter secures a place in an academically rigorous environment, even if she misses out on Aylesbury High School due to distance or exam day nerves.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

​When families target Aylesbury High School, they typically look at other Buckinghamshire grammar schools for state options and the Berkhamsted/Amersham corridor for private backups. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to Aylesbury High School

• ​Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School (SHFGS): Located in Aylesbury itself, SHFGS is the most logical co-educational alternative. It uses the exact same GL Assessment 11+ test as Aylesbury High School, meaning your daughter does not need to study a different syllabus.
  
• Wycombe High & Dr Challoner's High (DCHS): For parents committed to single-sex education, these are the peer institutions to AHS. Dr Challoner's High, in particular, often yields slightly higher exam results, making it a "super-selective" aspirational choice for girls willing to travel from Aylesbury.
  
• Berkhamsted School: This is the premier independent alternative. Unlike the GL-focused grammars, Berkhamsted uses the adaptive ISEB Pre-test. It offers a "diamond structure" (co-ed prep, single-sex academic lessons, co-ed sixth form), providing a similar focus on girls' education as AHS but with broader facilities.
  
• Pipers Corner School: Situated in Great Kingshill, this school is an excellent pastoral backup. It focuses on value-added education and is less academically aggressive than the grammars, making it a safe and nurturing option for girls who might find the intense grammar environment overwhelming.
  

According to the National School Census, Aylesbury High School consistently receives a high volume of applications. The competition for this prestigious AHS school is clearly evident in recent trends:

• For the last three years (2022–2024), there have been approximately four to five applications for every available place.
• This intense demand necessitates comprehensive, targeted preparation for the eleven plus exam.

As stated in the Aylesbury High School Admissions Policy, securing a place requires high academic standards.

Source: National School Census.

Aylesbury High School remains consistently oversubscribed, with a 59% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Aylesbury High School?

Parents often come to me and ask, “Is Aylesbury High School hard to get into?” and my response is always reassuring. Based on my experience, despite the intense competition for AHS School, I assure you this is a predictable challenge.

How hard is it to get into Aylesbury High School? Success is manageable with a solid, targeted strategy.

Keep reading to uncover the 11+ Exam Format and preparation strategy you need to secure your daughter’s place.

Aylesbury High School belongs to the Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools consortium, which uses the Secondary Transfer Test provided by GL Assessment. This single-stage exam assesses candidates on Verbal, Mathematical, and Non-Verbal skills to determine suitability for grammar schools Buckinghamshire.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of past 11+ maths papers reveals that the exam focuses heavily on numerical reasoning and problem-solving skills. The breakdown below highlights that Numbers and Geometry are the most dominant topics in the Bucks 11 plus exam..

To master these areas, we recommend practicing with our targeted resources used by thousands of successful students. Ensure your child revises key concepts using our comprehensive 11+ practice papers and topic-specific worksheets

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

For the English component, which is often integrated into Verbal Skills, the focus remains on technical English and comprehension. Our review of 11 plus exam papers indicates a strong emphasis on vocabulary and understanding context.

Success in this section requires extensive reading and practice with 11+ comprehension papers. Strengthening your child's 11+ vocabulary is also crucial for navigating the GL Assessment style questions effectively.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

The 11+ verbal reasoning section tests a student's ability to process verbal information and solve logical problems. Past trends show that coding and word-making questions frequently appear in the 11plus Bucks test.

Elevate your child's score by using our specialised verbal reasoning resources. Consistent practice with these question types helps students develop the speed and accuracy needed for the real exam.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

The 11 plus non verbal reasoning paper assesses spatial awareness and pattern recognition, often including spatial reasoning tasks. Our data suggests that identifying odd ones out and analogies are critical areas to master.

Prepare effectively with our expert-designed GLassessment practice papers covering all essential NVR topics. Familiarity with 2D and 3D shapes is vital for securing high marks in this reasoning section.

Which are the Best (11 plus) 11+ Practice Papers for Aylesbury High School?

Our targeted 11+ practice papers are based on actual exam patterns to help students familiarise themselves with the test format. We recommend the following specific resources for the Aylesbury High School 11+ exam.

Aylesbury High School is selective, making rigorous preparation essential. Sitting an 11 plus mock test helps students master the GL Assessment format used by AHS school. These sessions highlight weak spots and improve speed under strict time pressure.

For the Aylesbury High School 11 plus mock exam, we recommend these GL Assessment resources:

Parents can try our free 11 plus mock test to gauge their child's starting point. Booking an 11 plus mock test Buckinghamshire ensures your daughter is ready for the local competition.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Thursday 3^rd September 2026 to Friday 23^rd October 2026
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 2^nd November 2026 to Thursday 17^th December 2026
• Spring Half Term 1: Tuesday 5^th January 2027 to Friday 12^th February 2027
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 22^nd February 2027 to Thursday 25^th March 2027
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 12^th April 2027 to Friday 28^th May 2027
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 7^th June 2027 to Friday 16^th July 2027

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Aylesbury High School.

Navigating the 11+ grammar school entry requires coordinating with your local authority and understanding specific exam formats. Here are the essential, official resources to help you prepare your application for Aylesbury High School.

• GL Assessment Familiarisation Materials
• UK Govt. - Get Information on Aylesbury High School Page
• Aylesbury High School Ofsted Report
• Aylesbury High School Admissions Policy
• The PAN London eAdmissions
• UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data
• Gov.UK Find your Local Council Page