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Grammar Schools in Gloucestershire: Complete Guide

Exam Information 6 min read
Table of contents
  1. About Gloucestershire Grammar Schools
  2. Key information for 2027 entry into Gloucestershire Grammar Schools at 11 plus (11+)
  3. Exam format for the Gloucestershire 11 plus (11+) entrance exam
  4. Pate’s Grammar School
  5. Ribston Hall High School
  6. Sir Thomas Rich’s School
  7. The Crypt School
  8. Marling School
  9. Stroud High School
  10. Denmark Road High School
  11. Examberry Papers

About Gloucestershire Grammar Schools

Making the right choice between different grammar schools can be a tough decision for parents. Whilst all grammar schools offer great starts for children, it is often challenging to find comprehensive information concerning the schools available and the best options for your children. 

This guide aims to provide clear and concise information regarding the grammar schools in Gloucestershire. There are seven grammar schools in Gloucestershire that use the 11+ as their entrance exam: Pate’s Grammar School, Ribston Hall High School for Girls, Sir Thomas Rich’s School, The Crypt School, Marling School, Stroud High School and Denmark Road High School. 

In the coming sections of this article, the below listed key terms mean the following:

  • CAF: Common Application Form, the form you must submit to your local authority listing the schools of your choice in order of preference 
  • PAN: Published Admission Number, the number of places available for Year 7 entry in 2027 at 11 plus (11+) level
  • EHCP: Education, Health and Care Plan, a legal document that describes a person’s special educational needs
  • Pupil Premium: a grant that improves educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils
  • PLAC: (previously) looked after children

Key information for 2027 entry into Gloucestershire Grammar Schools at 11 plus (11+)

Important dates:

Admissions information:

  • Scoring: scores are age-standardised and ranked- the 180 candidates with the highest scores are automatically considered the priority group for their chosen school
  • Eligibility criteria: Year 6, within the cut-off distance
  • Priority criteria: (dependent on the school) 
  • Appeals: from May – July 2026- reviewed by an independent panel

Exam format for the Gloucestershire 11 plus (11+) entrance exam

The seven grammar schools in Gloucestershire all use the same test paper and marking process; however, their qualifying scores are likely to differ. Admission into these schools is extremely competitive and passing the 11+ exam does not automatically guarantee admission into Year 7. 

The Gloucestershire 11+ exam consists of two multiple-choice papers, provided by GL Assessment, testing children in: 

  • Verbal Skills
  • Non-verbal reasoning and maths

In the verbal skills paper, your child will be tested on their ability in reading comprehension, vocabulary and verbal reasoning. 

The maths questions are based on the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum objectives for Years 5 and 6. Non-verbal reasoning tests your child’s visual problem-solving abilities through sequential pattern recognition as well as logical and spatial thinking. 

Pate’s Grammar School

School type: mixed grammar 

Number of pupils: 1,284

Ages: 11-18

PAN: 150

The Sunday Times Parent Power National Rank: 6

Headteacher: Russel Ellicott

Address: Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham, GL51 0HG

Catchment area: this school does not have a defined catchment area

Priority criteria in rank order: PLAC; children who receive Pupil Premium; children who score highly on the 11+ in rank order until 150 places are filled

2022 Results: GCSE: 95% of students achieved grades 9-7, A Level: 95.4% of students achieved grades A*-B

Ofsted ranking: Outstanding

School’s contact details: 01242 523 169, [email protected], www.patesgs.org

Ribston Hall High School

School type: girls’ grammar (mixed sixth form)

Number of pupils: 866

Ages: 11-18

PAN: 150

The Sunday Times Parent Power National Rank: 184

Headteacher: Sarah Colombini

Address: Stroud Road, Gloucester, GL1 5LE

Catchment area: this school does not have a defined catchment area

Priority criteria in rank order: PLAC; children who qualify for Pupil Premium who have met the qualifying score; children who score highly on the 11+ in rank order 

2022 Results: GCSE: 58.2% of students achieved grades 9-7, A Level: 71% of students achieved grades A*-B

Ofsted ranking: Good

School’s contact details: 01452 382 249, [email protected], www.ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk

Sir Thomas Rich’s School

School type: boys’ grammar (mixed sixth form)

Number of pupils: 1,200

Ages: 11-18

PAN: 150

The Sunday Times Parent Power National Rank: 38

Headteacher: Mathew Morgan

Address: Oakleaze, Longlevens, Gloucester, GL2 0LF

Catchment area: this school does not have a defined catchment area

Priority criteria in rank order: PLAC; children who met the qualifying score and are eligible for Pupil Premium; children who have met the qualifying standard in rank order 

2022 Results: GCSE: 84.2% of students achieved grades 9-7, A Level: 85.4% of students achieved grades A*-B

Ofsted ranking: Good

School’s contact details: 01452 338 400, [email protected], www.strschool.co.uk

The Crypt School

School type: mixed grammar

Number of pupils: 1,100

Ages: 11-18

PAN: 150

The Sunday Times Parent Power National Rank: 198

Headteacher: Phil Stanlake

Address: Podsmead, Gloucester, GL2 5AE

Catchment area: this school does not have a defined catchment area

Priority criteria in rank order: PLAC; children who receive Pupil Premium; children of permanent staff members; all other children who meet the qualifying standard ranked in order

2022 Results: GCSE: 63.9% of students achieved grades 9-7, A Level: 66% of students achieved grades A*-B

Ofsted ranking: Outstanding

School’s contact details: 01452 530 291, [email protected], www.cryptschool.org

Marling School

School type: boys’ grammar (mixed sixth form)

Number of pupils: 1,200

Ages: 11-18

PAN: 150

The Sunday Times Parent Power National Rank: 146

Headteacher: Glen Balmer

Address: Cainscross Road, Stroud, GL5 4HE

Catchment area: this school does not have a defined catchment area

Priority criteria in rank order: PLAC; children eligible for Pupil Premium; all other children who have met the qualifying score in rank order

2022 Results: GCSE: 65% of students achieved grades 9-7, A Level: 73.8% of students achieved grades A*-B

Ofsted ranking: Outstanding

School’s contact details: 01453 762 251, [email protected], www.marling.gloucs.sch.uk

Stroud High School

School type: girls’ grammar

Number of pupils: 1,200+

Ages: 11-18

PAN: 150

The Sunday Times Parent Power National Rank: 78

Headteacher: Mark McShane

Address: Beards Lane , Cainscross Road, Stroud, GL5 4HF

Catchment area: there is no defined catchment area for this school

Priority criteria in rank order: PLAC; children who receive Pupil Premium; all other children who have met the qualifying score in rank order

2022 Results: GCSE: 74.4% of students achieved grades 9-7, A Level: 79% of students achieved grades A*-B

Ofsted ranking: Outstanding

School’s contact details: 01453 764 441, www.stroudhigh.gloucs.sch.uk, [email protected] 

Denmark Road High School

School type: girls’ grammar (mixed sixth form)

Number of pupils: 1,050

Ages: 11-18

PAN: 150

The Sunday Times Parent Power National Rank: 100

Headteacher: Claire Giblin

Address: Denmark Road, Gloucester, GL1 3JN

Catchment area: there is no defined catchment area for this school

Priority criteria in rank order: PLAC; max. 15 places for children eligible for Pupil Premium who live in Gloucester City; max.15 places for children eligible for Pupil Premium who live outside Gloucester City; all other children who have met the qualifying score in rank order

2022 Results: GCSE: 80.2% of students achieved grades 9-7, A Level: 72.2% of students achieved grades A*-B

Ofsted ranking: Good

School’s contact details: 01452 543 335, [email protected], www.denmarkroad.org

Examberry Papers

The most effective way to prepare for Gloucestershire’s 11+ entrance exam is to use practice tests written by experts.

Each of our practice tests:

  • is written for the current Medway Test: multiple choice, with answers on separate answer sheets and no writing paper.
  • is available in PDF download and physical format.
  • familiarises your child with the types of questions they will face in the real exam.
  • includes answers to every question and also detailed, step-by-step explanations for all maths questions.
  • boosts your child’s confidence before the actual exam.

For 11+ Gloucestershire preparation, we recommend the following packs:

Gloucestershire 11+ Practice Papers

Key Recommendations

Also available as smaller bundles:

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Targeted Skills

Key Recommendations

Also available as smaller bundles:

Further Recommendations

Targeted Skills

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