Buckinghamshire’s best secondary schools 2026

Trying to find the right school for your child in Buckinghamshire? You’re in the right place.

With so many options, many parents find themselves drowning in league tables and Ofsted reports. That’s exactly why we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert team has analysed the latest 2024/2025 Department for Education data to bring you a list of the top-performing state secondary schools in Buckinghamshire.

We show two ranking tables, one for Progress 8 and one for GCSE 9–7 results, and also provide a complete list of all secondary schools in Buckinghamshire. This full list includes Progress 8 scores, GCSE 9–7 percentages, and Ofsted ratings where available. The schools in this table are ordered alphabetically rather than ranked, so you can easily see every school in one place, even if some data points are missing.

Examiner-written GCSE revision resources that improve your grades 2x

  • Written by expert teachers and examiners
  • Aligned to exam specifications
  • Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t

Top secondary schools in Buckinghamshire by GCSE % 9–7

Wycombe Abbey in High Wycombe is currently ranked #1 in Buckinghamshire based on the percentage of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7. This measure highlights how many pupils achieve the very top exam results, giving a clear picture of each school’s academic excellence.

RankSchool nameTypeGenderProgress 8GCSE 9-7%Ofsted ᐧ Quality of educationOfsted ᐧ Behaviour & attitudesOfsted ᐧ Personal developmentOfsted ᐧ Leadership & management
1Wycombe AbbeyOther independent schoolGirls-98.6%----
2Dr Challoner's High SchoolAcademy converterGirls-82.7%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
3Beaconsfield High SchoolAcademy converterGirls-71.1%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
4Aylesbury High SchoolAcademy converterGirls-70.3%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
5Aylesbury Grammar SchoolAcademy converterBoys-67.2%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
6Royal Latin SchoolAcademy converterMixed-67.2%GoodOutstandingOutstandingGood
7Chesham Grammar SchoolAcademy converterMixed-66.5%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
8Wycombe High SchoolAcademy converterGirls-66.2%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
9Sir Henry Floyd Grammar SchoolAcademy converterMixed-66%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
10Sir William Borlase's Grammar SchoolAcademy converterMixed-65.1%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
11The Royal Grammar School, High WycombeAcademy converterBoys-65.1%GoodOutstandingOutstandingGood
12Dr Challoner's Grammar SchoolAcademy converterBoys-64.9%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
13John Hampden Grammar SchoolAcademy converterBoys-61.7%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
14Burnham Grammar SchoolAcademy converterMixed-55.6%----
15Thornton CollegeOther independent schoolGirls-48.7%----
16Pipers Corner SchoolOther independent schoolGirls-48.4%----
17St Mary's SchoolOther independent schoolGirls-45.1%----
18The Webber Independent SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-44.7%----
19Stowe SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-39.3%----
20Thorpe House SchoolOther independent schoolBoys-36.4%----
21Denbigh SchoolAcademy converterMixed-31.7%----
22Baytul Ilm Secondary SchoolOther independent schoolBoys-29.8%----
23Oakgrove SchoolAcademy converterMixed-27.7%----
24Kents Hill Park all-through schoolFree schoolsMixed-26.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
25Cressex Community SchoolFoundation schoolMixed-23.7%----
26Watling AcademyFree schoolsMixed-21.6%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
27Pioneer Secondary AcademyFree schoolsMixed-21%GoodOutstandingOutstandingGood
28The Misbourne SchoolAcademy converterMixed-21%----
29St Michael's Catholic SchoolAcademy converterMixed-20.8%----
30Akeley Wood Senior SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-20.3%----
31E-Act Ousedale SchoolAcademy converterMixed-19.9%GoodGoodOutstandingOutstanding
32Shenley Brook End SchoolAcademy converterMixed-19.6%----
33Waddesdon Church of England SchoolAcademy converterMixed-19.6%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
34Amersham SchoolAcademy converterMixed-18.5%----
35Great Marlow SchoolAcademy converterMixed-17.9%----
36The Hazeley AcademyAcademy converterMixed-17%----
37The Beaconsfield SchoolAcademy converterMixed-16.9%----
38Walton HighAcademy converterMixed-16.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
39John Colet SchoolAcademy converterMixed-16%----
40Holmer Green Senior SchoolAcademy converterMixed-15.5%----
41St Paul's Catholic SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-15.2%----
42The Milton Keynes AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-14%GoodGoodGoodGood
43The Cottesloe SchoolFoundation schoolMixed-13.4%----
44Princes Risborough SchoolAcademy converterMixed-11.7%GoodGoodGoodGood
45Lord Grey AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-11.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
46The Aylesbury Vale AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-10.9%----
47The Mandeville SchoolAcademy converterMixed-10.5%InadequateRequires improvementGoodRequires improvement
48Buckingham SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-10.4%GoodRequires improvementGoodGood
49Chiltern Hills AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-10.3%----
50The Highcrest AcademyAcademy converterMixed-9.6%----
51The Chalfonts Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-9.4%GoodGoodGoodGood
52The Radcliffe SchoolFoundation schoolMixed-9.2%Requires improvementGoodGoodGood
53Sir Thomas Fremantle SchoolFree schoolsMixed-8.5%----
54Stantonbury SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-7.7%Requires improvementRequires improvementGoodGood
55The Grange SchoolFoundation schoolMixed-7.5%GoodGoodGoodGood
56Sir William Ramsay SchoolAcademy converterMixed-7.1%Requires improvementInadequateRequires improvementInadequate
57E-Act Bourne End AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-6.5%GoodGoodGoodOutstanding
58Sir Herbert Leon AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-5.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
59Aylesbury UTCUniversity technical collegeMixed-4.2%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
60Furze Down SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0%----
61Stephenson AcademyAcademy special sponsor ledMixed-0%GoodGoodGoodGood

Note: Rankings use 2024/2025 CSP data for state-funded schools and may not reflect recent changes, check school websites for the latest information.

Source

All secondary schools in Buckinghamshire

Below is the complete list of secondary schools in Buckinghamshire, including both state-funded and independent schools where data is available. This table provides an at-a-glance view of each school’s key performance metrics, including Progress 8 scores, the percentage of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7, and Ofsted ratings, where published.

School nameTypeGenderProgress 8GCSE 9-7%Ofsted ᐧ Quality of educationOfsted ᐧ Behaviour & attitudesOfsted ᐧ Personal developmentOfsted ᐧ Leadership & management
Akeley Wood Senior SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-20.3%----
Alfriston SchoolAcademy special converterGirls------
Amersham SchoolAcademy converterMixed-18.5%----
Ashfold SchoolOther independent schoolMixed------
Aylesbury Grammar SchoolAcademy converterBoys-67.2%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Aylesbury High SchoolAcademy converterGirls-70.3%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Aylesbury UTCUniversity technical collegeMixed-4.2%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
Baytul Ilm Secondary SchoolOther independent schoolBoys-29.8%----
Beaconsfield High SchoolAcademy converterGirls-71.1%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Benjamin CollegeOther independent special schoolMixed------
Buckingham SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-10.4%GoodRequires improvementGoodGood
Burnham Grammar SchoolAcademy converterMixed-55.6%----
Caldicott SchoolOther independent schoolBoys------
Cambian Bletchley Park SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Chesham Grammar SchoolAcademy converterMixed-66.5%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Chiltern Hills AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-10.3%----
Chiltern Way AcademyAcademy special converterMixed--OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Chiltern Wood SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Cressex Community SchoolFoundation schoolMixed-23.7%----
Davenies SchoolOther independent schoolBoys------
Denbigh SchoolAcademy converterMixed-31.7%----
Dr Challoner's Grammar SchoolAcademy converterBoys-64.9%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Dr Challoner's High SchoolAcademy converterGirls-82.7%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
E-Act Bourne End AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-6.5%GoodGoodGoodOutstanding
E-Act Ousedale SchoolAcademy converterMixed-19.9%GoodGoodOutstandingOutstanding
Eton Dorney Independent Therapeutic SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Furze Down SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0%----
Glebe Farm SchoolFree schoolsMixed--OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Godstowe Preparatory SchoolOther independent schoolMixed------
Great Marlow SchoolAcademy converterMixed-17.9%----
Heritage House SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Holmer Green Senior SchoolAcademy converterMixed-15.5%----
International School of Creative ArtsOther independent schoolMixed------
John Colet SchoolAcademy converterMixed-16%----
John Hampden Grammar SchoolAcademy converterBoys-61.7%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
KWS Milton KeynesOther independent special schoolBoys------
Kents Hill Park all-through schoolFree schoolsMixed-26.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
Lord Grey AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-11.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
Macintyre SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Oakgrove SchoolAcademy converterMixed-27.7%----
Pebble Brook SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Pioneer Secondary AcademyFree schoolsMixed-21%GoodOutstandingOutstandingGood
Pipers Corner SchoolOther independent schoolGirls-48.4%----
Princes Risborough SchoolAcademy converterMixed-11.7%GoodGoodGoodGood
Progress Schools - BuckinghamshireOther independent special schoolMixed------
Red Kite SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Redwood Park SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Romans Field SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Royal Latin SchoolAcademy converterMixed-67.2%GoodOutstandingOutstandingGood
Shenley Brook End SchoolAcademy converterMixed-19.6%----
Sir Henry Floyd Grammar SchoolAcademy converterMixed-66%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Sir Herbert Leon AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-5.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
Sir Thomas Fremantle SchoolFree schoolsMixed-8.5%----
Sir William Borlase's Grammar SchoolAcademy converterMixed-65.1%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Sir William Ramsay SchoolAcademy converterMixed-7.1%Requires improvementInadequateRequires improvementInadequate
Slated Row SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
St Mary's SchoolOther independent schoolGirls-45.1%----
St Michael's Catholic SchoolAcademy converterMixed-20.8%----
St Paul's Catholic SchoolVoluntary aided schoolMixed-15.2%----
Stantonbury SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-7.7%Requires improvementRequires improvementGoodGood
Stephenson AcademyAcademy special sponsor ledMixed-0%GoodGoodGoodGood
Stocklake Park Community SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Stony Dean SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Stowe SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-39.3%----
Swanbourne House SchoolOther independent schoolMixed------
Teikyo School UKOther independent schoolMixed------
The Aylesbury Vale AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-10.9%----
The Beacon SchoolOther independent schoolBoys------
The Beaconsfield SchoolAcademy converterMixed-16.9%----
The Chalfonts Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-9.4%GoodGoodGoodGood
The Chalfonts Independent Grammar SchoolOther independent schoolMixed------
The Cottesloe SchoolFoundation schoolMixed-13.4%----
The Grange SchoolFoundation schoolMixed-7.5%GoodGoodGoodGood
The Hazeley AcademyAcademy converterMixed-17%----
The Highcrest AcademyAcademy converterMixed-9.6%----
The Kingsbrook SchoolFree schoolsMixed--GoodGoodOutstandingGood
The Mandeville SchoolAcademy converterMixed-10.5%InadequateRequires improvementGoodRequires improvement
The Milton Keynes AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-14%GoodGoodGoodGood
The Misbourne SchoolAcademy converterMixed-21%----
The Pace CentreOther independent special schoolMixed------
The Radcliffe SchoolFoundation schoolMixed-9.2%Requires improvementGoodGoodGood
The Redway SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
The Royal Grammar School, High WycombeAcademy converterBoys-65.1%GoodOutstandingOutstandingGood
The Webber Independent SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-44.7%----
The Woodlands SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Thornton CollegeOther independent schoolGirls-48.7%----
Thorpe House SchoolOther independent schoolBoys-36.4%----
Unity CollegeOther independent special schoolMixed------
Waddesdon Church of England SchoolAcademy converterMixed-19.6%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Walton HighAcademy converterMixed-16.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
Watling AcademyFree schoolsMixed-21.6%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
White Spire SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Willow Park SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Wycombe AbbeyOther independent schoolGirls-98.6%----
Wycombe High SchoolAcademy converterGirls-66.2%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding

Source

Disclaimer

All data on this page is sourced from the Department for Education’s 2024/2025 Compare School Performance dataset. It includes state-funded and, where available, independent secondary schools. Please note that Progress 8 scores were not published by the DfE for the 2024/25 academic year, as this cohort did not have Key Stage 2 prior attainment data due to pandemic-related assessment cancellations.

Some schools may also be missing data for GCSE 9–7 results or Ofsted ratings due to unpublished or unavailable figures. Rankings are based only on schools with published data and may not reflect recent changes. Please check school websites for the latest information.

How we ranked the best schools in Buckinghamshire?

Why trust our rankings? Our analysis is based on the latest 2024/2025 data from the Department for Education’s Compare School Performance (CSP) database, which publishes official performance data for all secondary schools in England, including both state-funded and independent schools where available.

We’ve created separate tables to highlight top performers in three key areas:

  • Progress 8 (pupil progress from KS2 to GCSE)
  • GCSE 9–7 grades (academic excellence)
  • Overall school listings, with available Ofsted ratings

Schools are primarily ranked by their Progress 8 score. This clever metric doesn’t just reward schools with high-attaining intakes – it highlights the ones that genuinely support student growth by measuring progress from the end of primary school to GCSEs. It adjusts for prior attainment, making it one of the fairest ways to compare schools.

Where available, we also show the percentage of GCSE grades at 9–7 to reflect high academic achievement, and Ofsted ratings for added context. All figures come directly from CSP’s official dataset.

Where Progress 8 data is not available for any schools in Buckinghamshire, the corresponding table will not be shown. This simply means that no schools in this area had published Progress 8 scores at the time of the latest dataset, it does not reflect on the quality of the schools themselves.

How to support your child at home

Helping your child succeed at school doesn’t just happen in the classroom, the right support at home can make a big difference. Encourage a regular study routine, provide a quiet space for learning, and take an interest in what they’re covering in lessons. Even small actions, like checking in on homework or discussing what they learned that day, can build motivation and accountability.

If you’re looking for extra structure, our GCSE Revision Resources are designed to make studying easier. With expert-written notes, topic-by-topic exam questions, and mark schemes, your child can practise exactly what they need to know, when they need to know it.

Boosting confidence before exams

Confidence can make a huge difference to exam performance. Start by helping your child identify their strengths and weaknesses, then focus revision time on areas that need improvement. Practising under timed conditions can reduce exam-day nerves, while celebrating small wins along the way builds self-belief.

Our GCSE Exam Practice pages include hundreds of past-paper style questions and worked solutions, so students can walk into their exams knowing exactly what to expect. By building familiarity with the question styles and formats, they’ll feel prepared and ready to perform at their best.

Share this article

FAQs - best secondary schools in Buckinghamshire

Based on the latest Department for Education CSP data, the highest-rated secondary school in Buckinghamshire is Wycombe Abbey by GCSE 9–7 results. In the case of an exact tie across these measures, the first school in alphabetical order is shown here. For full details and to compare all schools, please refer to the performance tables above.
No. This guide covers state-funded secondary schools only, including grammar, comprehensive, academy, and free schools. Independent/private schools are not included in our rankings.
Applications are usually managed by Buckinghamshire County Council. You can find deadlines, admissions policies, and catchment area maps on the council’s official website.
Use Ofsted inspection reports, the Department for Education’s CSP performance tables, and our rankings to compare schools side by side. Visit schools during open days for first-hand impressions.
Ofsted rates secondary schools as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. Outstanding secondary schools excel in teaching quality, student behaviour, leadership, and outcomes.
A Progress 8 score above 0 means students make better progress than the national average. Scores above +0.5 indicate well above average progress, while top-performing secondary schools typically achieve +0.7 or higher. The best schools in Buckinghamshire consistently score above +0.8.

Explore our GCSE study tools