Preparing for Sir William Borlase's

Sir William Borlase's Grammar School in Marlow is one of the most sought-after state grammars in the South of England. It is co-educational, academically demanding, and draws applicants from across Buckinghamshire and the surrounding counties — particularly Maidenhead, Cookham and Bourne End.

The entrance examination

Sir William Borlase's uses the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test. The test is taken in September of Year 6 — earlier than 11+ exams in many other counties. Preparation therefore typically begins in Year 5 or earlier.

The Buckinghamshire 11+ consists of two papers, both produced by GL Assessment:

• Paper 1: Verbal reasoning, English comprehension, and mathematics
• Paper 2: Verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and mathematics

Both papers are multiple-choice and standardised. The pass mark and the qualifying score for Borlase's specifically vary year on year. Borlase's tends to require scores at the upper end of the qualifying range, given the volume of applicants.

What strong preparation looks like

The most common mistake we see in families preparing for Borlase's is too narrow a focus on past papers. Past papers matter, but they should be the late-stage check on preparation, not the substance of it.

Effective preparation for Borlase's covers:

• Mathematical fluency — fast, accurate mental arithmetic; confident handling of fractions, decimals, percentages, and basic algebra
• Verbal reasoning techniques — there are about 20 question types in GL verbal reasoning, each with its own approach. Familiarity with all of them is essential.
• Non-verbal reasoning — pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, sequences. Best developed gradually rather than crammed.
• Reading comprehension — drawing inferences, distinguishing fact from opinion, summarising main ideas. Best developed by reading widely.
• Test technique — pacing, when to skip, when to guess, how to manage time pressure

The most successful Borlase's candidates we see are children who have been reading widely since Reception. There is no substitute for it.

When to start

For families serious about Borlase's, we recommend beginning structured preparation no later than September of Year 5 — twelve months before the exam. This gives time to:

• Identify and address gaps in mathematical knowledge
• Work through the full range of verbal reasoning question types systematically
• Build reading habits and vocabulary gradually
• Sit timed practice papers without panic, with time to adjust technique

Earlier than this — Year 3 or 4 — formal preparation is rarely necessary or helpful. A child who reads widely, enjoys puzzles, and has strong mental maths is in a good position long before any tutoring begins.

Practical considerations for Maidenhead families

For Maidenhead-based families, Borlase's offers the strongest local grammar option for many. The school is around 8 miles from Maidenhead and is reachable by school transport.

The school also requires families to be within its catchment for priority admission. Catchment boundaries vary year on year — families should check current arrangements with Buckinghamshire Council.

Information on this page is provided in good faith based on publicly available information about the school and its entrance process. Families should verify all admissions details directly with the school and with Buckinghamshire Council.