Royal Latin School

Six centuries of continuous education in the heart of Buckinghamshire. The Royal Latin School, founded in 1423, stands as the oldest school in the county and one of the most selective grammar schools in the region. With 552 applications competing for 173 Year 7 places in 2024, entry requires both academic aptitude and careful preparation. Those who secure a place join a community where high expectations permeate everything, from the ambitious curriculum to the recently completed ek robotics Sports Campus. Results place the school in the top 7% in England for both GCSE and A-level performance, while seven students secured Cambridge places in the most recent admissions cycle. The 600 Campaign has transformed the physical environment, adding a 12-laboratory science centre and a £3 million sports complex to the original parkland site.

The parkland setting on the outskirts of Buckingham belies the academic intensity within. Warm brown brickwork from the 1963 buildings sits alongside more recent additions; the Discovery Centre's twelve science laboratories and the striking Sports Campus represent a school that has invested substantially in its physical environment while maintaining its historic identity. Brookfield House, the original building on the site, has been expanded considerably since the school relocated from the town centre, creating a campus that spreads across generous grounds.

The school operates around LATIN Learning, an acronym capturing its core values: Leadership, Aspiration, Teamwork, Innovation, and Nurturing. These principles inform everything from the house system to the careers programme, providing a framework that extends beyond academic achievement. The motto, Alle May God Amende, dates from 1471 when John Ruding, Archdeacon of Lincoln, formalised the school's early statutes. Today's interpretation emphasises high expectations for all, a more secular rendering that retains the aspirational spirit.

The six houses, named after historical founders and benefactors (Barton, Denton, Newton, Ruding, Stratton, and Verney), provide the framework for competition and community. Older students mentor younger members through sporting, musical, and academic challenges, with house points accumulated across the year through competitions ranging from chess to dance. The house system creates vertical connections across year groups, breaking down the barriers that can develop in large secondary schools. House Music alone attracts over 150 participants annually, requiring an external venue at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre to accommodate performers and audience.

Ian Chislett took over as Headteacher in September 2024, succeeding David Hudson, whose fourteen-year tenure (2010-2024) transformed the school's facilities through the ambitious 600 Campaign. Mr Hudson was subsequently awarded an MBE for services to education, a recognition of his work modernising this 600-year-old institution. At the time Mr Hudson arrived, large-scale fundraising was rare for state schools; he employed a professional fundraiser and the two got to work on revamping the institution. The transition to new leadership comes at a moment of institutional confidence; the school celebrated its 600th anniversary in 2023 with a new charter focusing on community, heritage, environment, and future development.

The 2022 Ofsted inspection rated the school Good overall, with Outstanding grades for Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, and Sixth Form provision. Inspectors noted that excellent behaviour means learning takes place uninterrupted, and that pastoral care reflects the school's inclusive ethos. Staff have high expectations and strong relationships with pupils. The single area for development concerned consistency in assessment practices outside the Sixth Form, where some pupils were uncertain about precisely what they needed to do to improve.

GCSE Performance

Results place the school well above the England average, sitting in the top 10% of schools in England for GCSE outcomes. The Attainment 8 score of 73.1 substantially exceeds the England average, while the Progress 8 score of +0.59 indicates students make significantly better progress than expected from their starting points. For a selective intake already performing at high levels, this positive value-added figure is particularly noteworthy.

Royal Latin ranks 298th in England and 1st in Buckingham for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking based on official data). This positions the school ahead of all other secondaries in the local area, including both grammar and comprehensive schools. The EBacc average point score of 6.73 compares favourably to the England average of 4.08, reflecting strong performance across the English Baccalaureate subjects. Over half of students achieve grades 5 or above across all EBacc subjects, demonstrating breadth alongside high attainment.

The combined A-levels and GCSE ranking places Royal Latin 186th in England (FindMySchool composite ranking), reflecting consistent excellence across both key stages rather than strength in just one area.

A-level Performance

The Sixth Form delivers equally impressive outcomes. In 2024, 23% of grades were A*, while 55% reached A*-A and 76% achieved A*-B. These figures exceed England averages, which stand at 24% for A*-A and 47% for A*-B combined. The A*-B figure of over three-quarters indicates that the vast majority of students achieve the grades required for competitive university courses.

The school ranks 189th in England and 1st in Buckingham for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). This places Royal Latin in the top 10% of schools in England at A-level, matching its GCSE position and demonstrating consistent performance across both key stages. The percentile position of 7.13% means only around 185 schools achieve higher A-level grades.

August 2025 brought what the school described as its strongest ever A-level results, with 11 students securing Oxbridge places and over 25 progressing to study Medicine, Dentistry, or Veterinary Science. These highly competitive courses require not just excellent grades but extensive preparation for interviews, aptitude tests, and work experience requirements. The numbers progressing to these destinations suggest systematic support for ambitious applicants.

The curriculum extends beyond national requirements. Leaders have designed an innovative programme that combines academic rigour with breadth; over 23 A-level subjects are available, and an enrichment programme called Electives teaches skills like teamwork alongside traditional academic content. This dual approach recognises that universities and employers value both strong grades and broader competencies.

Teachers are subject experts who motivate students effectively. Most employ varied strategies and regularly assess understanding, adapting their teaching based on what they observe in the classroom. The 2022 inspection noted that assessment practices vary across departments, sometimes leaving students uncertain about specific areas for improvement. This remains the school's primary development focus, with efforts underway to bring consistency across all subjects.

Setting begins early in some subjects. The ability-grouped approach reflects the grammar school philosophy of high expectations matched to prior attainment, though all students access the same ambitious curriculum content. The selective intake means teachers can pitch lessons at a challenging level without extensive differentiation for lower-attaining pupils.

The proximity of the University of Buckingham provides additional enrichment; Sixth Form students regularly attend university lectures, experiencing higher education teaching styles before applying to university themselves. This exposure helps students make informed choices about degree courses and university life.

Subject-specific competitions feature prominently: the Maths Challenge, Biology, Chemistry and Physics Olympiads, BASE competition (Business Studies), Bar and Mock Trials, Model United Nations, Race to the Line engineering challenge, MFL and science spelling bees, Young Enterprise, and the Buckingham Art Prize. These extend able students beyond the curriculum and provide evidence for university applications.

In 2024, 74% of the 212-strong leaver cohort progressed to university, with 11% entering employment directly and 4% starting apprenticeships. The employment figure may reflect students taking gap years before university rather than permanent departure from education.

The Oxbridge pipeline is particularly strong for Cambridge. Seven students secured Cambridge places in the most recent cycle from 31 total Oxbridge applications. The school ranks 76th in England for Cambridge acceptances (FindMySchool ranking), placing it among the most successful state schools for this university. The offer rate of 50% from Cambridge (8 offers from 16 applications) significantly exceeds the national average. Oxford proved more challenging in the same period, with no acceptances from 15 applications. This disparity may reflect subject choices, interview preparation differences, or simply year-on-year variation.

Students visit both Cambridge and Oxford annually to tour colleges, demystifying the application process and helping students understand what makes a competitive applicant. The Russell Group Informed Choices guidance helps those targeting competitive universities select appropriate A-level combinations, ensuring students do not inadvertently close doors through subject choices.

The school's track record with Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Science applications reflects thorough preparation for demanding interview processes. These courses typically require personal statements demonstrating genuine interest and relevant experience, alongside strong performance in admissions tests like UCAT, BMAT, or interviews. Over 25 students securing places in 2025 indicates systematic support rather than isolated success.

Beyond Oxbridge, the broader university picture shows strong Russell Group progression. Students regularly secure places at institutions including Bristol, Exeter, Durham, and Edinburgh, though specific percentages are not published on the school website. The school tracks Russell Group progression as a key performance indicator, recognising that these research-intensive universities offer particular advantages for certain career paths.

Year 7 Entry

Royal Latin is a selective grammar school requiring students to pass the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (11+). The qualifying score is 121. The test comprises two one-hour papers from GL Assessment, covering verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and mathematics, all in multiple-choice format. Both papers are taken on the same day with a short break between them.

Competition is intense. In 2024, 552 applications competed for 173 places, a subscription ratio of 3.2 applications per place. This makes Royal Latin significantly oversubscribed, with demand consistently exceeding capacity. The proportion of first preferences to first preference offers of 2.21 indicates that even naming Royal Latin as first choice does not guarantee success.

Registration for testing is automatic for children attending Buckinghamshire primary schools unless parents expressly withdraw their child. For children at independent schools in Buckinghamshire or non-Buckinghamshire primary schools, an application for testing must be made to Buckinghamshire Council. This distinction matters because registration for testing is separate from the school place application.

Key dates for 2026 entry: registration for out-of-county students opens 2nd May 2025 and closes 13th June 2025. A practice test takes place on 9th September 2025, with the main test on 11th September 2025. Results release on 10th October 2025. The Common Application Form opens at the beginning of September 2025, with a deadline of 31st October 2025 for submission to the Local Authority. School places are confirmed on 2nd March 2026.

Parents of children who score between 110 and 120 may apply for a Selection Review if particular circumstances affected test performance. The review is carried out by a panel of serving Secondary and Primary Headteachers, supported by a clerk, who may obtain advice from an Educational Psychologist. Up to six places are reserved for children in this score range who are looked after, previously looked after, or living in the catchment area and eligible for pupil premium. This provision ensures that disadvantage does not prevent access for children who narrowly miss the qualifying score.

The next 11+ Open Evening is Thursday 2nd July 2026, 4.30pm to 8.00pm. No booking required. Virtual tours are available for families unable to attend in person.

Sixth Form Entry

External students may join the Sixth Form, with entry dependent on GCSE performance. The school provides a detailed set of transition resources to help students bridge the gap between GCSE and A-level study. Applications for 2026 and 2027 entry are currently open through the school website's prospective students portal.

The most recent Sixth Form Open Evening was held on 13th November 2025 (5.00pm to 7.30pm), with presentation talks offered at 5.30pm and 6.15pm on a first-come basis for non-RLS students. The school offers a bursary programme for families with low household incomes, acknowledging that even a non-fee-paying state school involves costs.

For students in Years 9-11 seeking late entry, the school operates its own testing process. Applications are made via an online form, with the school arranging assessment directly.

The Outstanding rating for Behaviour and Attitudes reflects a school where relationships between staff and students are genuinely strong. Excellent behaviour means that learning takes place uninterrupted, without the disruption that can characterise less well-managed environments. Pastoral care operates through the house system, with tutors providing both academic oversight and personal support.

The Mind and Body Zone within the Sports Campus offers dedicated space for wellbeing activities, yoga, and relaxation classes. This 80 square metre purpose-built facility recognises that academic pressure in a selective environment requires deliberate attention to student welfare. The fitness suite and pitch may attract the sporty students, but the Mind and Body Zone ensures quieter personalities find their space too.

Bullying is rare and dealt with swiftly when it occurs. The school's size, at over 1,300 students, creates enough diversity that most students find their group, while the house system provides smaller units within the larger whole.

The school offers a bursary programme for families with low household incomes, acknowledging that even a state-funded school involves costs for transport, trips, and equipment. This provision ensures financial circumstances do not prevent students from accessing the full range of opportunities. The programme reflects awareness that grammar school populations can skew towards affluent families who can afford tutoring, and attempts to counterbalance this through targeted support.

Approximately 36 clubs run each term, with activities spanning academic extension, creative pursuits, and community engagement. The programme balances competitive house events with individual enrichment.

Sport

The ek robotics Sports Campus, completed in September 2021, transformed sporting provision. The £3 million facility includes a full-size FA-approved 3G pitch, the VIVA fitness suite (112 square metres with cardio machines, rowing machines, bicycles, running machines, free weights, and a 10-metre sprint track), and the Racelogic Sports Lab for performance analysis. Students can video activity on the pitch and instantly analyse footage on large screens, learning to code the activity data and use it to improve technique.

Racelogic, whose founder Julian Thomas is a Royal Latin School alumnus, donated £100,000 towards the sports laboratory. The Premier League, FA and Football Foundation pledged £629,552 to help fund the 3G pitch. The naming sponsor, ek robotics (a manufacturer of transport robotics for production and warehouse logistics), provided the donation that completed the fundraising.

All Year 12 students have Wednesday afternoon sporting opportunities. The school's rugby pedigree includes the U15 team winning the Daily Mail Vase at Twickenham in 2013, defeating Felsted School 19-13 in the final. The U15s had previously reached the semi-finals in 2006, the first Royal Latin team to progress that far in the competition.

The Sports Campus is available for community hire during evenings, weekends, and school holidays, with targeted outreach for primary school pupils, children with special educational needs, retirees, and local sports clubs.

Music and Drama

House Music competitions attract over 150 participants annually, held at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre to accommodate demand. The scale of participation reflects genuine enthusiasm rather than compulsory involvement. House Drama and House Dance competitions provide additional performance opportunities, with houses competing across the year.

One-to-one music lessons are available from specialist teachers across a range of instruments. Outstanding productions are staged annually, with students involved in all aspects from performance to technical production.

STEM

The Discovery Centre, a 12-laboratory science building opened on 2nd October 2015 by Professor Robert Winston and John Bercow, provides exceptional facilities for practical work. The building represented Phase One of the 600 Campaign and set the tone for subsequent investment.

A large number of students participate in subject-specific competitions: the Maths Challenge, Biology, Chemistry and Physics Olympiads, BASE competition (Business Studies), and the Race to the Line engineering challenge. These extend the curriculum and provide evidence for competitive university applications.

Enrichment and Service

The Duke of Edinburgh Award programme sees over 100 Key Stage 4 students achieve Bronze annually, with approximately 65 progressing to Gold in Sixth Form. This participation rate suggests the programme is seen as valuable rather than merely a CV-building exercise.

Young Enterprise develops business skills through running an actual company, while Model United Nations and Bar and Mock Trials develop debate and advocacy. The Crochet Club supports charitable causes, demonstrating that enrichment extends to practical community benefit.

Green Touch, the school's environmental group, runs campaigns on waste reduction, recycling, and tree planting, with students attending regional Climate Change Conferences. The group has led successful campaigns to increase recycling and reduce waste, demonstrating genuine impact rather than symbolic gesture.

An average of 80 trips take place each academic year, including whole year group experiences at each Key Stage. Examples include visits to The Natural History Museum, enrichment and residential trips to the Isle of Wight and Caldecotte Lake, and exchange and cultural visits to France, Spain, and Germany supporting language learning.

The school day runs standard secondary hours. The ek robotics Sports Campus is available for community hire during evenings, weekends, and school holidays.

Royal Latin is located on Chandos Road, Buckingham, MK18 1AX. The site occupies parkland on the outskirts of town, with the original Brookfield House and grounds expanded substantially since the 1963 relocation from the town centre. The Queen Mother opened the current site in 1963.

The University of Buckingham is an immediate neighbour, providing a higher education atmosphere to the surrounding area and practical opportunities for Sixth Form students to experience university-style lectures.

Phase Three of the 600 Campaign, completed in 2021 with the Sports Campus, has been followed by plans for a new arts facility to consolidate music, art, and drama programmes. The Rotherfield building was refurbished in 2017 as Phase Two, providing dedicated Sixth Form facilities.

11+ preparation is widespread. While the test is designed to identify academic potential, the tutoring industry has built substantial business around Buckinghamshire grammar school entry. Families must decide their approach to preparation, knowing that most successful candidates will have undertaken some form of practice. The school does not officially recommend tutoring, but the competitive reality means few arrive unprepared.

Competition is genuinely fierce. With over three applications for every place, securing entry is the primary challenge. Academic ability alone does not guarantee success; performance on a single test day determines outcomes. Families should have realistic backup plans rather than assuming grammar school entry.

Adjustment after entry takes time. Students arrive having been top performers at their primary schools. Finding themselves among equally capable peers requires psychological adjustment. The school's pastoral system supports this transition, but families should prepare children for this shift in relative standing. No longer being the best at everything is normal and healthy.

Cambridge significantly outperforms Oxford in acceptances. The school's seven Cambridge acceptances against zero for Oxford in the most recent cycle suggests stronger relationships or preparation for one university over the other. Families with strong Oxford preferences should investigate this pattern and consider whether additional preparation for Oxford-specific requirements might be needed.

Six hundred years of history, combined with substantial recent investment in facilities, creates a grammar school that balances tradition with modernity. Results consistently place Royal Latin in the top 10% in England at both GCSE and A-level, while the Cambridge pipeline rivals many independent schools. The 600 Campaign transformed the physical environment; the Discovery Centre and Sports Campus would be impressive in any sector.

The selective intake creates an environment of high expectations and like-minded peers. Students who thrive here want to be stretched academically and are prepared to engage with the extracurricular programme. The house system provides community within the larger school, while clubs and competitions extend learning beyond the classroom.

Best suited to academically able students who thrive on challenge and structure, who will engage with the house system and extracurricular programme, and whose families can navigate the competitive 11+ process. The main challenge is entry. For those who secure a place, the education rivals independent alternatives without the fees.