From a 16th-century bequest to modern academic excellence, the evolution of Aylesbury Grammar School

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1598 by a royal champion, Aylesbury Grammar School has transformed from a local charity school into a high-achieving state academy. Its history spans centuries of shifting educational philosophies, from domestic service duties for students in the 1800s to its current status as an outstanding institution for academic excellence.

Established by Sir Henry Lee, the Champion of Queen Elizabeth I, the school began its life in St Mary's Church. Its early operations were bolstered by a significant 1714 bequest from Henry Phillips, which provided funds to educate 120 boys. However, the institution's path was not always smooth. By 1849, an official enquiry revealed a troubled environment where students were reportedly tasked with performing domestic chores for masters, such as laundering, while classroom discipline suffered from rampant whispering during examinations.

The late 19th century brought a push for reform as the original buildings decayed and the school lacked adequate athletic facilities. A 1885 plan sought to reposition the institution as a middle-class day school focused on practical preparation for life. This era of change eventually led to a relocation in 1907 to its current Walton Road site. Interestingly, the school operated as a co-educational institution for several decades, a condition tied to the funding of its new premises, before returning to its single-sex roots in 1959 when the girls relocated to the newly established Aylesbury High School.

Today, the school functions as a selective state academy, admitting students based on the Buckinghamshire Transfer Test. It has maintained a reputation for high academic performance, notably achieving the highest A-level results in the county in 2009. A 2022 OFSTED report rated the school as outstanding, highlighting the positive attitudes and conduct of its 1,300 students. Despite its successes, the school has faced public controversy, such as a 2014 incident involving student costumes that drew widespread criticism for racism, an event that prompted a formal apology from the leadership.

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