Aylesbury Grammar School

Over four centuries of history have shaped a school where academic rigour meets genuine community spirit. Founded in 1598 by Sir Henry Lee, Champion of Queen Elizabeth I, Aylesbury Grammar School has evolved from its origins in St Mary's Church to become one of Buckinghamshire's highest-performing selective schools. The November 2022 Ofsted inspection rated the school Outstanding in all categories, with inspectors noting that pupils flourish in this exceptional environment. With approximately 1,336 boys on roll and a Progress 8 score of +0.86, this is a grammar school delivering both strong outcomes and a distinctively supportive atmosphere for academic boys.

The red-brick buildings on Walton Road have served as the school's home since 1907, when Lord Rothschild offered the land for purchase to the county council. Beyond the gates, the atmosphere is purposeful without being pressured. Boys address staff as Sir or Miss; staff often refer to boys as gents. These courtesies feel natural rather than performative.

Headmaster Mark Sturgeon has led since 2014; earlier roles included Head of Year 13 and Head of Geography at Aylesbury Grammar, before he moved to Dr Challoner’s Grammar (Assistant Head, then Deputy Head). A product of the Buckinghamshire grammar school system himself, he brings deep understanding of selective education alongside a commitment to what the school calls positive masculinity. His leadership extends beyond AGS as Vice-Chair for UK and Europe of the International Boys' Schools Coalition, an organisation that has long explored the particular needs and potential of boys' education.

The school's vision positions it as a free school for Aylesbury, a phrase that nods to its origins as a charitable foundation while underlining its commitment to academic opportunity regardless of background. Six houses structure school life: Denson, Hampden, Lee, Paterson, Phillips, and Ridley. The house system dates to 1920, when the four original houses were established to create a spirit of unity among students. Lee House followed in 1974, with Paterson completing the current six in 1981.

Two trophy competitions embody the balance between academic and sporting pursuits. The Brodie Trophy, introduced in 1939 in memory of a staff member who died in a car accident the previous year, covers athletics, badminton, cross-country, football, rugby, squash, swimming, and tennis. The Watson Trophy, established in 1968 to honour Colonel F.W. Watson, a long-serving governor, encompasses art, chess, music, public speaking, quiz, and writing. Competition is intense but friendly, and boys speak of their house loyalty with genuine pride.

The Professor William Mead Library provides space for independent study and reading, while the Foundation Hall serves as the main performance venue. With 80 different primary schools feeding into Year 7, every new boy arrives in the same boat, a phrase parents and staff use to describe the deliberate mixing that helps forge new friendships.

GCSE Results

Aylesbury Grammar School's GCSE results place it firmly among the top-performing schools in England. In 2024, 80% of grades were 9-7, with 100% of pupils achieving 9-4 in both English and mathematics. The Attainment 8 score of 75.7 demonstrates consistently high achievement across a broad curriculum.

The school ranks 217th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 5% of all schools. Locally, it ranks 2nd among secondary schools in Aylesbury. The Progress 8 score of +0.86 indicates that pupils make significantly above average progress from their starting points, a measure that reflects effective teaching rather than simply selecting able students.

Nearly 68% of grades achieved 9-7, with 45% at the highest grades of 9-8. All pupils take triple science. The EBacc entry rate of 72% exceeds England averages substantially, reflecting the curriculum's academic breadth. Most boys take 11 GCSE subjects, including statistics completed at the end of Year 10.

A-Level Results

At A-level, 76% of grades in 2024 were A*-B, with 55% at A*/A. These figures position the school as the top-performing sixth form in Aylesbury (FindMySchool ranking: 1st locally, 193rd in England), placing it in the top 8% nationally.

The school offers 26 A-level subjects, with mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics as the most popular choices. Smaller cohorts pursue art, design technology, music, English literature, and modern languages. Joint teaching with Aylesbury High School broadens options in subjects including drama, music, PE, Latin and ancient history.

The curriculum combines traditional academic rigour with thoughtful innovation. In Year 7, everyone does French and Latin; for the extra language, boys are split between Spanish and German to make the timetable work. Mathematics is set from Year 8. This early differentiation allows teachers to pitch challenge appropriately while maintaining high expectations across all sets.

Teachers have strong subject knowledge and explain complex ideas clearly. The Ofsted inspection highlighted that leaders have crafted a rigorous, well-sequenced curriculum building knowledge progressively across subjects. Assessment practices are purposeful, with regular feedback helping pupils identify and address learning gaps.

All pupils in Years 7-11 use Chromebooks, with sixth formers choosing their own devices. GCSE options include distinctive choices such as ancient history, geology, engineering, and food preparation and nutrition alongside more common subjects. This breadth means academically curious boys can pursue interests that might not feature in every grammar school's offering.

The sixth form operates three pathways based on GCSE performance. Students typically study three or four A-levels, with a fourth option potentially comprising an EPQ, sports leaders qualification, or AS-level in subjects including geology, photography, or religious studies. The school produces its own online electives, running for an hour weekly on topics such as job applications and personal finance.

The academic rigour translates into strong university outcomes. Approximately 90% of Year 13 students progress to university or other institutions for degrees or diplomas. In 2024, 65% enrolled at Russell Group universities or Bath and Loughborough, which consistently feature among preferred destinations. UCL, Durham, Nottingham, Liverpool, Warwick, and Bath appear prominently in destination data.

Oxbridge outcomes reflect sustained preparation. In the measurement period, 42 students applied to Oxford or Cambridge, with 9 securing places. This places the school 141st in England for combined Oxbridge acceptances. Oxford attracted more applications (24) and offers (6) than Cambridge, where 3 of 18 applicants were successful.

Degree apprenticeships have grown in popularity, and the school increasingly supports students pursuing this pathway alongside traditional university applications. The Careers Department guides pupils from Year 10, with work shadowing and employer talks forming part of sixth form enrichment.

Entry to Aylesbury Grammar School requires passing the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test, administered in September of Year 6. A qualifying score of 121 opens the door to inclusion on parents' preference lists. The test, written by GL Assessment, comprises two papers covering comprehension, technical English, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, spatial reasoning, and mathematics.

Competition is intense. In the most recent admissions round, 571 applications competed for 176 places, a ratio exceeding 3:1. Registration for the 2025 test opens on 2 May and closes on 13 June. The practice test runs on 9 September, with the main test on 11 September. Results arrive in October, allowing families to submit the Common Application Form by 31 October, with offers issued on National Offer Day in early March.

Where qualifying applicants exceed places, oversubscription criteria apply. Priority runs from looked-after children, through up to six places for pupil premium pupils scoring at least 115, to siblings of current AGS boys, then siblings of Aylesbury High School girls, children of staff, those with exceptional medical or social needs, and finally boys within the catchment area.

The catchment area covers Aylesbury, Princes Risborough, Long Crendon, Ludgershall, Stewkley, and Edlesborough. Maps are available on the school website. Families from outside Buckinghamshire can register their children for the test, though the county's grammar school system draws primarily local pupils.

A minimum of 17 external places are available in the sixth form for boys achieving at least 44 GCSE points. Late transfer testing for Years 8-10 exists but places are rare.

The Tutoring Question

The 11-plus generates a substantial tutoring industry across Buckinghamshire. The school does not officially recommend tutoring, and the test format has been designed to reduce the advantage it confers. In practice, tutoring remains common among applicants. Families should weigh the costs, both financial and emotional, of intensive preparation against realistic assessment of their child's aptitude and readiness.

For boys who arrive, adjustment takes time. At primary school, most were top of their class. Here, everyone was top at primary school. The transition requires recalibration of self-image, a process the school supports through the house system and pastoral structures.

Personal development represents a towering strength, in Ofsted's words. The inspection highlighted a comprehensive array of clubs, societies, and enrichment opportunities developing character traits including resilience and civic responsibility. The PSHE curriculum addresses contemporary issues including healthy relationships and equality.

The house system provides vertical families from Year 7. Staff heads of house play crucial pastoral roles, knowing their boys across year groups. Older students look out for younger ones, a culture of support that permeates daily interactions.

A full-time counsellor supports pupils alongside three volunteers. Canteen queue-pass cards help pupils who find crowded situations overwhelming. The student support centre provides a welcoming space for those who need it. EHCP numbers have grown, with 14 boys currently on roll receiving allocated one-to-one support. ASD is still the most common diagnosis, with ADHD increasing.

Behaviour is exemplary. The rare instances of misbehaviour are addressed swiftly by staff, contributing to an environment where pupils feel secure. The one-way system introduced during the pandemic remains in place, making lesson changeovers feel manageable even with over 1,300 boys moving through corridors.

Sport

Sport at Aylesbury Grammar School serves both recreational participants and elite performers. Facilities include a full sports hall, gymnasium, swimming pool, William Harding Squash Courts, a staffed fitness suite, cricket square, three rugby pitches, football pitches, and four tennis courts.

Rugby is the principal sport, with Saturday fixtures standard for serious players. The school earned recognition as the third-ranked state school for sport in England by School Sports Magazine in 2019, alongside titles as National Under 15 Handball Champions, Under 18 Buckinghamshire Football Champions, and Under 14 Buckinghamshire Rugby Champions.

Swimming forms an integral part of the Key Stage 3 curriculum, providing essential skills to all students. Overseas sports tours have taken boys to Paris, South Africa, and Australia for rugby, cricket, racket sports, and football.

House competition through the Brodie Trophy maintains participation across ability levels. Athletics, badminton, cross-country, football, rugby, squash, swimming, and tennis all contribute points toward the trophy.

Creative Arts

Drama provides opportunities from classroom work to joint productions with Aylesbury High School. The Foundation Hall hosts performances throughout the year, with students learning everything from voice projection to lighting desk programming. Drama develops innovation, character, resilience, and confidence, skills that extend well beyond the stage.

Music thrives through numerous ensembles: Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, Junior Jazz Band, Jazz Improv Group, Choir, Brass Ensemble, Classical Guitar Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, and Good Vibrations. House Music at the Waterside Theatre represents a calendar highlight. Joint events with Aylesbury High School bring additional performance opportunities.

Clubs and Societies

The co-curricular programme reflects student interests across an impressive range. Computing For All covers game development, web design, cyber security, and Raspberry Pi projects. The Medical Society prepares healthcare aspirants in Years 12-13. A student-led Law Society operates for Years 11-13.

For those seeking recreation, options include Chess Club (with social games alongside Aylesbury High School), Warhammer and Wargaming Club, TCG Club for Pokemon and Magic The Gathering enthusiasts, and an RPG Club for tabletop gaming including Dungeons and Dragons. The Rubik's Cube Club welcomes puzzlers in Years 7-9.

AGS Pride provides LGBTQ+ support for students in Years 10-13. The Connect Club offers interfaith discussion. Junior and Senior Debating societies develop argumentation skills. Young Enterprise lets sixth formers run real business ventures.

Duke of Edinburgh participation is growing. The school has been a licensed organisation since 2017, using Zest for Adventure as their Approved Activity Provider for expeditions. Language exchanges and trips — including residentials to Washington DC, Berlin, Madrid and Iceland — are often organised jointly with Aylesbury High School.

STEM

The Engineering Education Scheme provides sixth formers with industry-linked project experience. STEM Science Club in Year 8 extends beyond standard lessons, while Science Club offers experimental opportunities for older students. Maths Puzzle Club challenges Years 7-9, and the Linguistics Club approaches language puzzles from a logic perspective.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:15pm. Most students travel by school bus or public transport. Some older boys drive in. The school sits between Turnfurlong Lane and the A roughly 41, just outside Aylesbury town centre. Parking for visitors is limited.

The Chromebook programme means all students in Years 7-11 use school-issued devices. ParentPay handles payments for trips and meals. The Parent and Carer Portal provides access to reports and communications.

Open events for external sixth form applicants typically run in November. The next consultation on admissions policy amendments runs from October to November 2025, with proposed changes taking effect from September 2027.

Entrance pressure is real. With over three applications per place, the 11-plus creates genuine competition. Families should consider whether their child will cope with preparation, the test itself, and the possibility of not securing a place. The emotional stakes can be high.

The peer group adjusts expectations. Boys who have always been top of their class find themselves among academic equals. This recalibration is ultimately healthy, but the transition can bruise egos. Support from home helps.

Boys only to Year 11. The main school is single-sex. Girls join in the sixth form, but families wanting co-education throughout should consider alternatives. The school believes single-sex education allows boys to develop without pressures that can arise in co-educational settings.

**Travel distances vary.Some pupils commute from Milton Keynes, and many come from borders with Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire. Journey times should factor into decision-making.

Aylesbury Grammar School delivers what it promises: academic excellence within a supportive community. Four centuries of history have not fossilised the institution but infused it with traditions that give boys a sense of belonging. Results are strong, Progress 8 figures demonstrate genuine value-added, and university destinations reflect sustained ambition.

Best suited to academically able boys who thrive on challenge and enjoy being part of a larger community. The house system, sports programme, and club offerings mean this is far more than an exam factory. For families within the catchment area who value selective education, the combination of zero fees and Outstanding outcomes represents exceptional value.

The challenge lies in gaining entry. For those who succeed, the education that follows justifies the effort.