John Hampden Grammar School 11+ Exam Secondary Transfer Test 2026

Introduction

Established in 1893, John Hampden Grammar School provides education to students between the ages of 11 and 18. The school is located in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

The syllabus at JHGS is aligned with the national curriculum and aims to prepare students for their future by equipping them with skills applicable to modern and dynamic workplaces. The school offers an opportunity for boys to learn specific digital technologies and subjects such as enterprise, design, and art. JHGS also emphasises the importance of physical health, and pupils have mandatory physical education while at the school.

Extracurricular activities at JHGS are designed to expand students’ skills and knowledge beyond the classroom. The school offers many clubs and activities, such as law society, computing, photography, engineering society, etc. These activities take place both during and outside school hours.

The school’s goal is to nurture independent, kind, resilient, involved, and knowledgeable individuals. Its motto, “Quit ye like men”, is adapted from St. Paul’s letter to persecuted Christians, in which he encourages them to follow their principles and moral compass. JHGS takes great pride in the pastoral care offered to its pupils, guiding and encouraging them at every step of their educational journey.

Ofsted considers the school as “Outstanding” across all areas of assessment. JHGS students usually perform well in exams and continue their studies at prestigious universities, provingthe quality of the school’s work ethic. [1]

If you’re interested in the typical day of a JHGS student, you can watch this video:

John Hampden Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions

Year 7 entry to John Hampden Grammar School is determined by student performance in the 11 Plus Secondary Transfer Test (STT). The 11+ Test is produced by the exam board GL Assessment and administered by Buckinghamshire County Council as part of its Coordinated Admissions Scheme.

John Hampden Grammar School encourages all prospective families to visit the school. Through a tour of the facilities and meetings with staff members, you and your child will gain a deeper understanding of everything on offer.

The school often receives more successful applications than there are available places. In such cases, the following oversubscription criteria are used, giving priority to:

• Looked After or previously Looked After Children who live in the catchment area
• Looked After or previously Looked After Children who live outside the catchment area, or other children who achieved a high score in the STT, qualify for Pupil Premium or Service Premium and live in the catchment area
• Students who have brothers that already attend the school
• Students who have exceptional medical or social reasons for attending the school
• Sons of staff at John Hampden Grammar
  
  

The complete list of oversubscription criteria is available in the admissions policy, which can be accessed through this page.

John Hampden Grammar School also has a waiting list system in place. Students who are added to the waiting list are ranked in accordance with the school’s oversubscription criteria. If parents decline an offer of a place, they may subsequently re-join the waiting list upon request.

For full admissions details determining Year 7 entry to John Hampden Grammar School, please reach out to the school directly. You can view its exact location on the map below:

How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to John Hampden Grammar School

For pupils attending state funded Buckinghamshire primary schools, STT exam registration happens automatically. But, if your child isn’t enrolled in a state funded primary school in the county, you’ll need to register him through the Buckinghamshire County Council website before the June deadline.

By late October, make sure you have provided your Local Authority with your child’s school preferences using the CAF form. The Secondary Transfer Test outcomes are communicated within that month, while school places are allocated in March.

Is John Hampden Grammar School part of a Consortium?

John Hampden Grammar School belongs to The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) Consortium, which is made up of a group of schools that use the same entrance exam and share a very similar admissions process.

Does John Hampden Grammar School have a catchment area?

Yes, they do. For John Hampden Grammar School, the catchment area is made up of two sections. Priority Area A covers High Wycombe, part of South Buckinghamshire and some outlying villages, and is followed by Priority Area B, which covers parts of South Buckinghamshire and Maidenhead.

How to Prepare for the John Hampden Grammar School Secondary Transfer Test?

EPP practice tests serve as a highly effective tool in preparing your child for the John Hampden Grammar School 11+ exam. Created by assessment experts, these tests will assist your child in swiftly and confidently handling a variety of 11+ exam questions.

There are many advantages to using our resources. For example, they offer concentrated practice and familiarity with a broad array of potential questions and scenarios, pinpointing any areas that may need extra work prior to the exam.


Although our 11+ mock tests are challenging and 11 Plus preparation can feel daunting, implementing a well-structured revision plan can make the process significantly more manageable. Besides familiarising students with potential exam questions, our resources also help them hone vital time-management skills, such as working under pressure.

John Hampden Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Pass Marks and Target Scores

The John Hampden Grammar STT scores are standardised, taking into account applicants’ ages and ensuring that no child is disadvantaged. All candidates with a standardised score above 121 will qualify for a place.

Pupils who are able to score 75%+ consistently in our 11+ practice tests should be on track to pass the John Hampden Grammar 11+ test.

Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the John Hampden Grammar 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.

John Hampden Grammar School 11 Plus (11+) STT Practice Exam Papers

For the John Hampden Grammar School Secondary Transfer Test, we would specifically recommend the following practice resources.

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Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions have been included in John Hampden Grammar School 11+ past papers. The information provided about John Hampden Grammar School is believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of future changes. We advise you to contact the school directly if you are unsure of anything. School contact details are provided within the article.

Please note that Exam Papers Plus is an independent publisher of practice tests and resources, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by John Hampden Grammar School.