In a county defined by the 11-plus, Great Marlow School (GMS) proves that excellence is not the exclusive preserve of grammar schools. Situated in Marlow Bottom, this co-educational academy serves a local community that values its breadth as much as its academic rigour. With alumni including Sir Steve Redgrave, the school balances a purposeful academic culture with a reputation for sporting prowess that rivals the independent sector.
The campus reflects its evolution from a 1960s secondary modern to a popular academy. Functional mid-century blocks sit alongside significant modern additions, most notably the Redgrave Sports Centre, a visual anchor for the school’s identity. The atmosphere is energetic but orderly. Students move purposefully between lessons, and the "upper school" label—often a euphemism for "secondary modern" in Buckinghamshire—feels entirely misplaced here. This is a school of first choice, not a fallback.
Mr Guy Pendlebury was appointed as permanent Headteacher in June 2025, having previously served as Head of School. He took the helm following Mr Kevin Ford’s move to CEO of the Marlow Education Trust. The leadership maintains a clear ethos: Creating Opportunity, Releasing Potential, Achieving Excellence. This motto is not just signage; it actively shapes a culture where the artist and the athlete are celebrated as loudly as the scholar.
The house system—Eagles, Falcons, Hawks, Kites, and Owls—provides the pastoral backbone. Named after local birds of prey, these houses foster intense but friendly competition, breaking a large school down into manageable communities where students are known individually.
In a selective authority, GMS performs strongly against national benchmarks. In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.4, sitting slightly above the England average of 45.9. This is a robust performance for a non-selective intake in a grammar school area, demonstrating that students here make progress comparable to their peers nationally, regardless of their starting point.
Ranked 2,253rd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits in the "national typical" band, reflecting solid performance in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). Locally, it ranks 2nd among non-selective schools in Marlow, offering a credible academic pathway for those who do not attend Sir William Borlase's or Wycombe High.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
43.27%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The Sixth Form is a significant strength, retaining the majority of Year 11s while attracting applicants from other local schools. In 2024, 43% of A-level grades were A*-B. While slightly below the England average of 47%, this figure represents strong value-added for the cohort profile.
Ranked 1,718th in England for A-level outcomes, the Sixth Form supports elite ambition effectively. In 2024, one student secured a place at Cambridge, proving that the comprehensive pathway at GMS remains a valid route to the highest tiers of education. The retention of students into Year 12 speaks volumes about the relationships between staff and students.
Teaching is structured to build confidence. The curriculum is broad, resisting the narrowing seen elsewhere; arts, technology, and sport remain central. Science teaching benefits from refurbished laboratories, and the school uses setting in core subjects to ensure appropriate pace and challenge.
Parents report that staff go the extra mile, offering lunchtime clinics and revision sessions. The approach is inclusive but demanding; the "My Personal Best" programme encourages students to compete against their own targets rather than just their peers.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Good
Pastoral care is delivered through the House system, ensuring every student has a dedicated champion in their Form Tutor. A Student Support Officer and on-site counselling services provide a safety net for those navigating the pressures of adolescence in an affluent, high-achieving area.
Behaviour is rated Good by Ofsted (November 2022). Inspectors noted that bullying is rare and dealt with effectively. The school takes a traditional line on uniform and punctuality, believing that high standards in the basics create the right climate for learning.
Extracurricular provision is a defining pillar of GMS, with a breadth that many independent schools would envy.
The legacy of Sir Steve Redgrave is tangible. The rowing club is nationally competitive, a rarity for a state comprehensive, benefiting from the nearby Thames and strong links with Marlow Rowing Club. The Redgrave Sports Centre provides professional-standard facilities for badminton, basketball, and netball, allowing students to train in an elite environment.
The annual school production involves over 100 students, from cast to lighting crew, fostering a sense of shared endeavour. Music is vibrant, with choirs and bands performing regularly. The Design Technology department is particularly active, with students frequently entering national engineering competitions.
The calendar is packed with opportunities: ski trips to Europe, geography field work in Iceland, and language exchanges. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is hugely popular, with large cohorts completing Bronze and Silver awards annually.
As an academy, Great Marlow School is funded by the government. Parents are not charged for education. However, families should budget for:
Pupil Premium funding is available to support students eligible for free school meals, covering costs such as trips and uniform to ensure financial barriers do not limit participation.
State-funded school (families may still pay for uniforms, trips, and optional activities).
Destinations data reveals a pragmatic and successful cohort. In 2024, 45% of leavers progressed to university. Crucially, 36% moved directly into employment or higher apprenticeships, a figure significantly above the national trend. This suggests the school is particularly effective at preparing students for the modern workplace, leveraging strong links with local businesses for high-quality vocational placements.
Total Offers
1
Offer Success Rate: 25%
Cambridge
1
Offers
Oxford
—
Offers
Admission is through Buckinghamshire Council. As a comprehensive academy, there is no entrance exam. However, popularity makes it effectively selective by distance.
In 2024, the school received 609 applications for 224 places, making it significantly oversubscribed with nearly three applicants for every seat. Demand is highest from families in Marlow and Marlow Bottom. Living in the catchment area does not guarantee a place; allocation is often determined by distance from the school gate.
Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school compared to historical cut-off points.
Applications
609
Total received
Places Offered
224
Subscription Rate
2.7x
Apps per place
The school day runs from 8:35am to 3:05pm. Located on Bobmore Lane, the site is best accessed by local bus services or walking. Traffic at drop-off is heavy; parents are strongly encouraged to use drop-off points away from the main gates to ease congestion. Wraparound care is not provided on-site for secondary students, though the library is open for study before and after school.
Oversubscription risks. With three applications per place, GMS is one of the most popular upper schools in the county. Living in Marlow is no longer a guarantee of entry. Families should verify current distances before relying on a place here.
Grammar context. Parents must understand the local dynamic. Approximately 30% of the most academic local children attend Sir William Borlase's or Wycombe High. While GMS achieves excellent results, the peer group is broader than a grammar school.
Mixed ability classes. While core subjects are set, many foundation subjects are taught in mixed ability groups. This requires students to be self-motivated to excel in classes with a wide range of aptitudes.
Great Marlow School proves that a non-selective education in a selective county can be aspirational, rigorous, and successful. It offers a genuine all-round education with standout sporting facilities and a nurturing community feel. Best suited to local families who value a balanced education over a pressure-cooker environment, and who want a school that celebrates the rower and the actor as much as the mathematician. The main challenge is securing a place.
Yes. Ofsted rated the school Good in its last full inspection (2017) and confirmed this status in a short inspection in November 2022. It performs consistently above the national average for GCSE attainment and is widely regarded as a strong alternative to the local grammar schools.
No, it is a comprehensive (Upper) school. It does not select by academic ability. However, it operates within the Buckinghamshire selective system, meaning it typically serves students who did not qualify for, or chose not to attend, grammar schools.
The school serves Marlow, Marlow Bottom, Little Marlow, and Lane End. However, due to high demand (609 applications for 224 places in 2024), simply living in these areas does not guarantee admission. Allocation is heavily based on distance from the school gate.
Yes. Great Marlow has a thriving Sixth Form offering a wide range of A-levels and BTEC qualifications. In 2024, 43% of A-level grades were A*-B, and students successfully progress to universities (including Oxbridge) and higher apprenticeships.
The school boasts the Sir Steve Redgrave Sports Centre, a state-of-the-art facility including a large sports hall, fitness suite, dance studio, and floodlit all-weather pitches. It is also one of the few state schools with a competitive rowing programme.
In 2024, 45% of leavers progressed to university. A distinctive strength of the school is also its employment pathway, with 36% of students securing employment or apprenticeships directly after Sixth Form.
Get in touch with the school directly
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