Sir William Borlase's Grammar School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

​Sir William Borlase's Grammar School is a leading co-educational selective grammar school situated in the heart of Marlow, Buckinghamshire. Established in 1624, it provides an exceptional education to over 1,000 pupils aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Consistently ranking among the best grammar schools in UK, sir william borlase is renowned for its vibrant and ambitious learning culture. It currently holds an "Outstanding" ofsted rating, reflecting the school's long-standing dedication to high academic standards and student care.

Founded in 1624, Sir William Borlase combines historic excellence with modern innovation as a designated NCCE Computing Hub. The school boasts a nationally renowned Boat Club, elite hockey squads, and professional-standard productions within the on-site Mountfield Theatre.

In this guide, I apply 6+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Sir William Borlase's Grammar School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar Academy
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Co-educational (Mixed)
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11–18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1080+
• GCSE Results (2025): 66% achieved Grades 9–7
• A-Level Results (2025): 82% achieved A*–B

Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 150-160
• Exam Board: GL Assessment / Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT)
• Number of Stages: 1
• School Catchment Area: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See Below for more details)
• Pass Mark: 121 (Qualifying Score)

​Planning for the Sir William Borlase's Grammar School open day and admissions cycle requires accurate timing. I have compiled the essential Sir William Borlase's Grammar School 11 plus exam dates, covering the 11 plus exam dates 2025 buckinghamshire timeline, to help you manage the 11+ Exam date schedule effectively.

​Admission to Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School is determined by a child's performance in the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. This selective process is managed by Buckinghamshire Council for entry into Year 7.

How to Register for 11+ Exam

• Automatic Registration: Children attending Buckinghamshire state primary schools are automatically registered for the 11 plus exam process.
• Manual Registration: Parents of children in independent schools or out-of-county schools must complete the 11 plus exam registration via the Buckinghamshire Council website.
• Booking Deadline: You must complete the 11 plus exam booking by mid-June 2025 to ensure your child can sit the test.
• The Test: The 11+ Exam is scheduled for September 2025 and serves as the sole entrance assessment.

Completing the School Application

Qualifying in the eleven plus exams does not guarantee a place; you must formally apply for admission using the Common Application Form (CAF).

• Submit the CAF: Apply through your home Local Authority and list Sir William Borlase as a preference.
• Application Deadline: The national closing date for submitting the CAF is 31 October 2025.
• Review Criteria: Read the Sir William Borlase's Grammar School Admissions Policy to understand the oversubscription rules.
• Portal Access: Residents should refer to the Buckinghamshire Local Authority Admissions Portal or their own council's system.

​The Sir William Borlase's Grammar School Catchment Area is a defined geographic zone used to prioritize applications during the admissions process. As outlined in the Sir William Borlase's Grammar School Admissions Policy, residing within this area significantly improves admission chances.

Included Parishes and Areas

The Sir William Borlase Catchment Area specifically encompasses the following parishes surrounding the school location in Marlow.

• Bisham
• Little Marlow
• Marlow
• Medmenham

Distance Measurement and Tie-Breakers

In the event of oversubscription for the 11 plus test places, the school utilizes distance as the primary discriminator. This is strictly applied to rank applicants within each category.

• Distance is measured in a direct "as the crow flies" line from the child’s permanent residence.
• The measurement runs to the school's main entrance as detailed in the School catchment area guidelines.
• Reviewing the 11+ exam catchment data helps predict the likelihood of securing a place.

As stated in the Sir William Borlase's Grammar School Admissions Policy, the school participates in the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. Parents applying for September 2026 entry must register their children to sit this examination in September 2025.

The Sir William Borlase's Grammar School 11 Plus Test consists of these two papers taken on the same day. The exam uses GL assessment protocols to ensure fairness.

Scores from both papers are age-standardised to produce the Secondary Transfer Test Score (STTS). The final score is weighted: the Verbal Skills paper contributes 50%, while the Mathematical and Non-Verbal Skills paper contributes the remaining 50%.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

The Bucks 11 plus exam utilises separate answer sheets for all sections. It is crucial that your child marks their answers with a clear horizontal line using an HB pencil, as these sheets are scanned by an optical reader for the GL Assessment 11+.

Parent’s Top 4 Queries

Does the school set its own exam?

No, Admission is managed via the Buckinghamshire grammar schools consortium, using the Secondary Transfer Test provided by GL Assessment.

What is the qualifying score?

Pupils must achieve a standardised aggregate score of 121 or higher to be eligible for a place at sir william borlase.

What exam board does Sir William Borlase follow?

GL Assessment (Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools)

How long is the 11+ Exam for Sir William Borlase?

Two papers, each approximately 60 minutes including instructions.

​To gain entry to Sir William Borlase, applicants must achieve the mandatory qualifying score in the Secondary Transfer Test. The required Standardised Transfer Test (STT) score is historically set at a minimum of 121.

Qualifying Standards

• Minimum Score: 121+ (standardised score).
• Assessment Provider: GL Assessment.

Reaching this threshold establishes eligibility but does not ensure a seat due to oversubscription criteria. Ample practice is essential to securing strong 11 plus exam results that sit comfortably above the GL Assessment pass marks.

​Sir William Borlase's Grammar School is a premier co-educational choice in Buckinghamshire. However, with thousands of applicants for limited places, the admissions mathematics is ruthless. Most high-achieving students require a solid backup plan.

I have guided families through the Buckinghamshire 11+ process for nearly two decades. I often see parents fixate solely on Sir William Borlase, ignoring strict catchment constraints. I advise parents to maintain a portfolio of 3 Grammar preferences and 2 Private options.

This strategy ensures your child secures an elite education, even if Borlase isn't the final outcome.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

Families targeting Sir William Borlase typically look at High Wycombe grammars for state options and the Reading/Maidenhead corridor for private backups. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives

• Royal Grammar School (RGS) & Wycombe High School: These are the leading single-sex alternatives using the same GL Assessment transfer test. Qualifying for Borlase usually means qualifying here, offering a secure peer-level academic environment.
• Reading Blue Coat School: Located in Sonning, this independent school is a favourite for boys. It offers excellent pastoral care and a slightly broader curriculum than the intense focus of state grammars.
• The Abbey School (Reading): For parents of girls, The Abbey provides a high-performing private alternative. It consistently achieves outstanding results and is accessible for families in the Maidenhead and Marlow areas.

Advisory Note

Sir William Borlase's Grammar School is the "Gold Standard" for co-ed state education in the region. However, relying on a single school is risky due to catchment limits. A balanced application strategy with private backups is the only way to mitigate this competition.

​According to the National School Census, competition remains consistently fierce at Sir William Borlase. For the last three years, there have been four applications for every single place available.

This high demand emphasizes that comprehensive preparation is vital to meet the criteria in the Sir William Borlase's Grammar School Admissions Policy.

Source: National School Census.

The school remains heavily oversubscribed, recording a 52% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Sir William Borlase's Grammar School?

Parents frequently ask me, “Is Sir William Borlase's Grammar School hard to get into?” and worry about the odds. Based on my experience, success in the eleven plus exam is achievable with a solid, targeted strategy.

Keep reading to understand the Stage One Test and Stage Two Test structure to secure your child's place.

​Sir William Borlase's Grammar School uses the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test, provided by GL Assessment. As one of the sought-after grammar schools in buckinghamshire, the exam tests varied skills across two papers taken on the same day.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of the GL-style 11+ maths papers reveals a balanced distribution of topics. The exam emphasizes number fluency and data interpretation, which form the foundation of the 11 plus maths topics tested.

To succeed in the bucks 11 plus exam, consistency is key. We recommend the 11+ Buckinghamshire (Bucks) Practice Tests which mimic the exam format.​

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

The 11 plus english section primarily focuses on reading comprehension and technical accuracy. Based on past trends, Comprehension dominates the paper, requiring strong inference skills.

For comprehensive preparation, use our 11+ Buckinghamshire (Bucks) Practice Tests. Parents should also utilize specific 11+ Comprehension Test Papers and 11+ Vocabulary packs to target weak areas.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

The 11 plus verbal reasoning paper tests a child's ability to process verbal information logically. Essential areas include coding, word meanings, and letter sequences.

We strongly suggest using our 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers. This resource helps students master the variety of question types found in verbal reasoning 11 assessments.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non-Verbal Reasoning topics

In the 11 plus non verbal reasoning section, students must identify patterns in shapes and diagrams. Spatial reasoning is a significant component of the Buckinghamshire test.

To master non verbal reasoning 11 concepts, try our 11+ NVR Practice Papers. These 11+ practice papers provide the visual practice necessary for success.

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Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for Sir William Borlase's Grammar School?

For the Sir William Borlase 11+ exam, we recommend resources tailored to the Bucks GL style. These packs cover all required subjects efficiently.

​Sir William Borlase's Grammar School is highly competitive, so early preparation is vital. Sitting a Sir William Borlase's Grammar School 11 plus mock exam helps students master the GL Assessment format. Regular 11 plus mock tests are essential for improving speed and identifying weak areas.

As Sir William Borlase uses the GL Assessment board, we recommend the following resources:

Parents can assess their child's potential by trying our free 11 plus mock test. Booking a specific 11 plus mock test Buckinghamshire session ensures familiarity with the local exam structure.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Wednesday 3 September 2025 to Friday 17 October 2025
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 3 November 2025 to Wednesday 17 December 2025
• Spring Half Term 1: Tuesday 6 January 2026 to Friday 13 February 2026
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 23 February 2026 to Friday 27 March 2026
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 13 April 2026 to Friday 22 May 2026
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 1 June 2026 to Friday 17 July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Sir William Borlase's Grammar School Official Website.