11+ Tuition for Sir William Borlase's Grammar School
Specialist preparation for Borlase from our High Wycombe centre, for the GL Assessment Bucks Secondary Transfer Test (TBGS).
Sir William Borlase's Grammar School is a co-educational grammar school in Marlow, Buckinghamshire (ages 11–18). Its latest Ofsted outcome is Outstanding (2024). In 2024/25 it recorded a GCSE Attainment 8 of 72.4, with 96.7% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in English and maths (Department for Education). About 150 pupils join Year 7 each year, selected through The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (qualifying score 121 (standardised)).
How do you get into Borlase?
Sir William Borlase's Grammar School is a co-educational grammar school in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, for ages 11–18. Competition for places is strong: only 150 children are admitted to Year 7 each year, selected through the The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools. Because places are decided mainly on the test score, focused preparation makes a real difference.
Think Smart Academy has been preparing children for the 11+ for over a decade. Our High Wycombe centre prepares Borlase applicants for the Bucks Secondary Transfer Test. We teach Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning in separate sessions rather than rushed combined lessons, and track progress with termly mock exams and parent reports. Classes are capped at eight students, and every child starts with a free diagnostic assessment so we can see where they need the most work.
- Founded in 1624; marked its 400th anniversary in 2024 — one of the oldest schools in the area.
- Co-educational since 1987; designated a Performing Arts College (2005).
- Strong rowing tradition; Olympic swimming gold medallist Tom Dean MBE is an alumnus.
- Ofsted Outstanding across all categories including sixth form (May 2024).
Borlase at a Glance
- Type
- Co-educational grammar, ages 11–18
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2024) (report)
- GCSE Attainment 8 (2024/25)
- 72.4 · DfE
- Grade 5+ in English & maths (2024/25)
- 96.7% · DfE
- A-level (2025)
- 82% at A*–B, 53% at A*–A (2025)
- Year 7 places
- 150 (Year 7 PAN 150 for September 2026 entry (Sixth Form PAN 45).)
- Entrance test
- GL Assessment, Bucks Secondary Transfer Test (TBGS)
- Qualifying score
- 121 (standardised)
How does the Borlase 11+ test work, and how are places allocated?
The Secondary Transfer Test (STT) assesses verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and mathematics across two papers of about 60 minutes each, administered by Buckinghamshire Council for all Bucks grammar schools.
Qualifying score: A standardised Secondary Transfer Test Score of 121 or more automatically qualifies a child for a Buckinghamshire grammar school place.
How Borlase allocates places: Admission to Year 7 is overseen by Buckinghamshire Council and depends on reaching the qualifying standard (121) in the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (GL Assessment). The school has a priority area within its catchment; full criteria are in its determined admissions policy.
September 2027 entry: key dates
- Registration
- Opens 10:00 on Fri 1 May 2026, deadline 15:00 on Tue 2 June 2026
- Test date
- 8 and 10 September 2026 (practice on the 8th, main test on the 10th)
A-level results at Borlase (2025)
For families thinking beyond the 11+, here is how Borlase performs at A-level.
- Grades at A*–A
- 53%
- Grades at A*–B
- 82%
- Grades at A*
- 17%
- Pass rate
- 95%
2025 A-level: 17% A*, 53% A*–A, 82% A*–B, 95% A*–C; 11 students achieved 3+ A* (school-published). The “pass” field holds the school’s 95% A*–C figure, not a formal A*–E pass rate.
Source: Borlase published results — view. Verified 22 May 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions: Borlase 11+ Preparation
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Sources
School data on this page is taken from authoritative sources, last verified 22 May 2026: Ofsted (latest inspection report); the Department for Education’s Compare school and college performance service (GCSE 2024/25); and the school’s own admissions arrangements. A-level figures are the school’s published 2025 results (see the A-level section above for the exact source). Progress 8 is not shown because the DfE cannot calculate it for 2024/25 (no Key Stage 2 baseline after Covid-19).
