Beaconsfield High School 11+ Guide

About Beaconsfield High School

Beaconsfield High School is a selective secondary school in Buckinghamshire. For children to get into Beaconsfield High School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Beaconsfield High School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the charming town of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, Beaconsfield High School is a remarkable grammar school for girls aged 11 to 18. Affectionately known as 'Becky High,' this educational institution has garnered a reputation for academic excellence and nurturing well-rounded individuals. With approximately 1,100 pupils and a highly competitive entry process for Year 7 students, Becky High stands out as one of the top-performing state schools in the region.

At Becky High, the curriculum adheres to national standards, ensuring that students receive a robust foundation for their future academic endeavors. The school's vision is centered around fostering a happy and thriving learning environment, where pupils are encouraged to embrace every opportunity to learn and discover. Through a diverse range of subjects, including computing, English, literature, arts, and more, students acquire valuable skills and knowledge that will serve them well beyond their school years.

Beyond the classroom, Becky High offers an extensive array of extracurricular clubs and activities, catering to the diverse interests and passions of its students. From the imaginative Dungeons and Dragons club to the delightful baking club, and from music to athletics, there is something for everyone. The school recognizes the importance of balance and well-being, providing support for stress management and encouraging pupils to cultivate essential life values such as humility, respect, leadership, and morality.

Beaconsfield High School's commitment to excellence has not gone unnoticed. The school has been recognized as an 'Exceptional School' by the Best Practice Network, an accolade bestowed upon only 45 schools in the country. Ofsted, the education watchdog, has consistently rated Becky High as 'Outstanding' across all areas, a testament to the school's unwavering dedication to its students. With a track record of impressive exam results and a high proportion of students securing spots in prestigious universities, Becky High continues to set the bar high for academic achievement.

At the heart of Beaconsfield High School lies an inclusive, diverse, and dynamic community. The school is committed to discovering and developing the potential of each and every student, recognizing that happiness and well-being are essential components of a successful educational journey. With passionate teachers who bring creativity and innovation to the classroom, and a wealth of co-curricular opportunities, Becky High provides an environment where young minds can flourish and thrive.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Beaconsfield High School together with their admissions contact details.

Beaconsfield High School is a girls only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,270 pupils attend Beaconsfield High School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Thomas Griffiths & Mrs Joanna Holdsworth (Mater.

Beaconsfield High School Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Beaconsfield High School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Information

In order to get into Beaconsfield High School, children need to pass the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT). This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Subjects & Structure

The Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English Comprehension
• Technical English
• Verbal Reasoning
• Key Stage 2 Maths
• Non-Verbal Reasoning
• Spatial Reasoning

The Secondary Transfer Test is a crucial assessment for students seeking admission to Beaconsfield High School. This exam, provided by GL Assessment, evaluates a range of skills across two distinct one-hour papers.

The first paper focuses on verbal abilities, assessing proficiency in English comprehension, technical English, and verbal reasoning. These skills are essential for understanding complex texts, interpreting information, and drawing logical conclusions.

The second paper concentrates on mathematical and non-verbal skills. It covers Key Stage 2 maths, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning. These areas test a student's aptitude for problem-solving, pattern recognition, and understanding relationships between shapes and figures. Success in this exam demonstrates a well-rounded academic foundation and the potential to thrive in the challenging educational environment offered by Beaconsfield High School.

Other Schools using Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT)

As well as Beaconsfield High School, several other schools also use Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT). These are:

• Aylesbury Grammar School
• Aylesbury High School
• Burnham Grammar School
• Chesham Grammar School
• Dr Challoner's Grammar School
• Dr Challoner's High School
• John Hampden Grammar School
• Royal Latin School
• Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School
• Sir William Borlase's Grammar School
• The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
• Wycombe High School

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Beaconsfield High School is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Beaconsfield High School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) tests (to get into Beaconsfield High School) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Beaconsfield High School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Beaconsfield High School was last inspected by Ofsted on 11/12/2019 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 14/01/2020, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

Beaconsfield High School was inspected by Ofsted on 11 December 2019 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional quality of education, with students consistently achieving high standards across the curriculum.

The inspection also highlighted the school's outstanding behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and sixth form provision. Students displayed exemplary conduct, actively engaged in their learning, and benefited from a wide range of opportunities for personal growth and development.

The leadership and management of Beaconsfield High School were deemed outstanding, with the school's leaders and staff working together effectively to create a positive learning environment and maintain the highest standards of education for all students.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Beaconsfield High School per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, Beaconsfield High School has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) Ensure you double-check with Beaconsfield High School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.