Buckingham School Review 2026: Inclusive Education in a Selective County

In a county defined by its selective grammar school system, Buckingham School offers a distinct alternative. It operates as an all-ability, co-educational secondary school that prides itself on inclusivity. Located on London Road, the school serves the town of Buckingham and its surrounding villages. It functions as a community hub in a way that selective schools often cannot. While the nearby Royal Latin School selects based on the 11-plus, Buckingham School welcomes students of all abilities and places its focus on "Success for All".

The school has grown in popularity and size and now educates over 1,100 students including a sixth form. Under the leadership of Mr Andrew McGinnes, who took the helm permanently in 2018, the school has solidified its reputation for pastoral care and a broadening curriculum. The campus blends mid-century blocks with modern additions like the Jubilee Building. This mix reflects the school's evolution from a traditional secondary modern to a forward-looking upper school.

The atmosphere at Buckingham School is grounded and unpretentious. "Success for All" is the stated motto. Unlike many schools where slogans fade into the background, here it appears to drive the daily operation. The "Buckingham Way" sets out expectations for conduct. It emphasises virtues such as resilience, empathy, and integrity.

Mr Andrew McGinnes has served as Headteacher since 2018. His leadership style is described by parents as visible and direct. He has worked to transform the school's culture. The aim is to move away from the historic perception of being the "secondary modern option" to being a first-choice school for local families who value a comprehensive ethos. This shift was recognised in the April 2023 Ofsted inspection which rated the school Good. Inspectors noted that students are proud of their school and feel safe.

The House system comprises Claydon, Stowe, Silverstone, Whittle, Swan, and Chandos. These names draw on local geography and history, such as Stowe House and the Silverstone circuit. This anchors the school in its community. House competitions are not limited to sport. They include debating, photography, and charity fundraising to ensure that students with different talents can contribute to their house's success.

The sensory environment is busy but purposeful. Between lessons, the site hums with the movement of over a thousand teenagers. Yet the 2023 inspection noted that behaviour is calm and orderly. The school has invested in its physical environment to match its ambition. Improved science labs and a dedicated construction centre signal a commitment to vocational as well as academic pathways.

The school's academic outcomes must be viewed through the lens of Buckinghamshire's selective system. As an upper school, Buckingham School does not typically intake the top 30% of the ability range, as these students are selected for grammar schools. Despite this structural challenge, the school works hard to secure solid outcomes for its intake.

In 2024, the school's GCSE performance placed it 2,863rd in England. This ranking sits in the national lower band and reflects performance below the England average. The average Attainment 8 score was 40.1, compared to the England average of 46.2.

Progress 8 is a measure of the progress students make from their primary school starting points. The school's score was -0.3. This indicates that, on average, students achieve slightly less than one-third of a grade lower in each subject compared to students with similar prior attainment nationally. While this figure is below the national average of zero, it is not uncommon for upper schools in selective areas where the peer effect of the grammar system impacts comparative data.

Ranked 3rd among secondary schools in Buckingham town for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school performs an essential role in the local educational landscape. It is worth noting that 11.6% of students achieved the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) at grade 5 or above.

The curriculum is designed to be broader than the traditional academic core found in many grammar schools. Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) covers the full national curriculum. There is a particular emphasis on retaining creative subjects like Art, Drama, and Music which have been squeezed elsewhere.

Teaching is structured and supportive. The 2023 Ofsted report highlighted that teachers have good subject knowledge and use assessment effectively to check understanding. In core subjects like English and Mathematics, students are set by ability to allow for targeted support.

A distinguishing feature is the breadth of vocational and technical options at Key Stage 4. Alongside standard GCSEs, the school offers robust courses in Construction, Catering, and Health & Social Care. This implies a genuine commitment to valuing different types of intelligence. For a student who thrives on practical application rather than purely theoretical study, these facilities offer a pathway to engagement that a purely academic curriculum might miss.

The school also operates a "Grammar Stream" for high-attaining students who may have narrowly missed 11-plus qualification or who preferred the school's ethos. These students follow a more accelerated curriculum in core subjects to provide academic stretch within a comprehensive setting.

The school's careers programme is a clear strength. This is reflected in the diverse destinations of its leavers. The data paints a picture of a school that prepares students for the real world rather than just for university.

In 2024, 42% of leavers moved directly into employment. This figure is significantly higher than the national norm and suggests a strong local network and students who are work-ready. Apprenticeships are also a major pathway, with 13% of the cohort securing these competitive earn-while-you-learn roles.

University remains a key route for many. In 2024, 38% of leavers progressed to higher education. While this is lower than the grammar school sector, it represents a significant achievement for the sixth form cohort. The sixth form ranks 2,341st in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). This places it in the national lower band (bottom 40%).

The top grades at A-level are hard-won. In 2024, 24.66% of grades were A*-B. The school supports students to access a range of universities. Recent leavers have headed to institutions such as Portsmouth, Oxford Brookes, and Coventry. High achievers have also secured places at Russell Group universities.

Admission to Buckingham School is coordinated by Buckinghamshire Council. As a non-selective upper school, it does not require an entrance exam. However, the admissions process is inextricably linked to the county's 11-plus system (the Secondary Transfer Test).

Most families apply for Buckingham School as their first choice if they do not wish their child to sit the 11-plus. Others list it as a second choice should their child not qualify for a grammar school place.

Despite being non-selective, demand is high. The school is oversubscribed. In 2024, there were 365 applications for 194 offers. This resulted in a subscription ratio of 1.88 applications per place. This level of demand reflects the school's growing reputation in the local area.

Places are allocated primarily on distance from the school gate after looked-after children and siblings are prioritised. The catchment area effectively covers the town of Buckingham and the surrounding villages north of Winslow. Families living further afield may find it harder to secure a place in years of high demand.

Pastoral care is structured around the House system and form tutors. Students stay in the same form group as they move up the school to provide continuity of care. The "Student First" team provides non-teaching support. This means there are staff available throughout the day to deal with wellbeing issues without interrupting lessons.

The school is particularly proactive regarding mental health. It employs dedicated counsellors and works closely with external agencies. The Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) curriculum is delivered through dedicated "Virtues" lessons. This ensures that topics like healthy relationships and online safety are taught explicitly rather than squeezed into tutor time.

For students with Special Educational Needs (SEN), the Learning Support department has a dedicated base. The school has higher-than-average numbers of students with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) compared to local grammar schools. Staff are experienced in supporting a range of needs, particularly moderate learning difficulties and autism.

The extracurricular offer is extensive and aims to provide the "cultural capital" that private schools often boast of. The "Period 6" programme runs after school and offers clubs ranging from STEM and Coding to Art and Drama.

Sport is a central pillar of school life. The facilities include a large sports hall, tennis courts, and expansive playing fields. Rugby and football fixtures are played regularly against local schools, including the grammar schools. The school puts out teams in netball, basketball, and athletics. Participation rates are high.

The Performing Arts department is vibrant. The annual school production involves over 100 students. They participate not just on stage but in lighting, sound, and set design. Recent productions have been ambitious and are staged in the school's main hall which doubles as a theatre space.

Trips and visits are frequent. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered at Bronze and Silver levels with expeditions taking place in the Chilterns. Departmental trips include Geography field trips to the coast, History visits to battlefields, and ski trips to Europe.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Education is free for all students.

Families on lower incomes may be eligible for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium funding. This government funding provides the school with additional resources to support eligible students. The school uses this funding to subsidise school trips, music lessons, and uniform costs. Parents should check eligibility on the Buckinghamshire Council website.

While tuition is free, families should budget for:

• School uniform and sports kit
• Optional music tuition
• School trips and residential visits
• Lunch (if not eligible for Free School Meals)

The school day begins at 8:40am and finishes at 3:10pm. There are five one-hour lessons per day. The school is located on London Road. This makes it easily accessible for students walking from the town centre. For those travelling from villages, the Buckinghamshire Council school bus network serves the site.

Uniform is strictly enforced. It consists of a navy blazer with the school crest, white shirt, and house tie. The school insists on high standards of dress as part of its "professional learner" ethos.

Wraparound care is not provided on-site for secondary students. However, the library is typically open before and after school for homework and study.

Selective Context: Families must understand that Buckinghamshire operates a selective system. Buckingham School is an upper school. This means the academic profile of the intake is skewed by the removal of the top 30% of attainers to grammar schools. Comparing its raw results directly with comprehensive schools in non-selective counties can be misleading.

Mixed Ability Classes: Unlike the grammar schools, classes here are mixed ability in many subjects. This benefits social cohesion but requires skilled differentiation by teachers to ensure the most able are stretched.

Size: With over 1,100 students, this is a large school. While the House system breaks this down, quieter students will need to find their niche to avoid feeling lost in the crowd.

Construction & Vocational Focus: The school's strength in vocational subjects is a major asset for some but implies a different academic atmosphere to a pure exam-factory. Families seeking a purely classical academic diet might find the curriculum balance different here.

Buckingham School succeeds in its mission to be a true community school. It offers a warm, inclusive, and increasingly ambitious education for students of all abilities. While raw exam results reflect the selective system it operates within, the value added in terms of pastoral care, vocational opportunities, and personal development is significant. Best suited to local families who value a rounded education and a supportive environment over the pressure cooker of the 11-plus system. The main challenge is securing a place given the rising local demand.