About Gloucestershire Grammar Schools
Gloucestershire has 12 selective schools in our database including 7 state grammars coordinated through the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Consortium. The schools — Denmark Road High (girls), Marling School (boys), Pate's Grammar (mixed, Cheltenham), Ribston Hall High (girls), Sir Thomas Rich's (boys), Stroud High (girls), and The Crypt School (boys) — share a single common test in September. Pate's Grammar ranks consistently among the UK's top 10 state schools, with stunning GCSE and A-Level results.
History & Tradition
Gloucestershire's grammar tradition dates to the medieval period — The Crypt School Gloucester (founded 1539) was a chantry school originally. Pate's Grammar was founded in 1574. Ribston Hall (1900) and Sir Thomas Rich's (1666) followed. The county retained its grammars through comprehensive reform — political resistance was strong in Cheltenham especially.
The Entry Test
The Gloucestershire 11+ uses GL Assessment papers covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. All 7 state grammars use this single common test. Children sit it at their first-choice school in mid-September.
Gloucestershire 11+ at a Glance
7 Things You Should Know About Gloucestershire Grammar Schools
Researched facts about the region's selective schools — drawn from official sources, school websites and education research.
- 1Pate's Grammar (Cheltenham) ranks consistently in the UK Top 10 state schools — particularly strong in Maths and Sciences with multiple Oxbridge offers each year.
- 2The Crypt School Gloucester (founded 1539) is one of England's oldest grammar schools — originally a chantry school dissolved in the Reformation.
- 3All 7 state Gloucestershire grammars use a single common test on a single Saturday — making registration and preparation straightforward compared to multi-region counties.
- 4Pate's Grammar moved to a new £30m site in 2017 — the most modern grammar school facility in the West Country.
- 5Denmark Road High School (Gloucester) and Ribston Hall High (Gloucester) both serve girls — sometimes families choose between them based on distance or specific subject strengths.
- 6Marling School (Stroud, boys) and Stroud High (Stroud, girls) are physically adjacent — sharing some sixth form arrangements.
- 7Gloucestershire grammar pass marks vary — Pate's typically requires 230+ standardised score across all subjects; less-oversubscribed grammars accept candidates around 215+.
| Rank | School Name | Gender | PAN | 11+ Exam | GCSE 9-7 | A-Level A*-B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham#6 | Mixed | 150 | GL Assessment | 90% | 92.6% |
| #32 | Sir Thomas Rich's School#32 | Boys | 154 | GL Assessment | 77.9% | 83.1% |
| #67 | Stroud High School (SHS)#67 | Girls | 150 | GL Assessment | 79.6% | 73.6% |
| Cheltenham Bournside School | Mixed | 180 | GL Assessment | — | — | |
| Cheltenham Ladies' College (CLC) | Girls | — | Independent | 87.6% | 87.3% | |
| Dean Close | Mixed | — | Independent | 40% | 40% | |
| Denmark Road High School | Girls | 150 | GL Assessment | 65.4% | 59.2% | |
| Marling School, Stroud | Boys | 150 | GL Assessment | 69% | 66% | |
| Ribston Hall High School | Girls | — | GL Assessment | — | — | |
| St. Edward's School, Cheltenham | Mixed | — | Independent | 26% | 64% | |
| The Crypt School, Gloucester | Boys | 150 | GL Assessment | 65.6% | 66% | |
| The King's School, Gloucester | Boys | — | Independent | — | — |
Gloucestershire Grammar Schools — Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the top-ranked grammar schools in Gloucestershire?
In the 2026 Sunday Times Parent Power tables, the highest-ranked Gloucestershire grammar schools include Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham, Sir Thomas Rich's School, Stroud High School (SHS). Full rankings plus GCSE and A-Level results for every school are in the table above.
What 11+ exam do Gloucestershire grammar schools use?
Most Gloucestershire grammar schools admit pupils through the GL Assessment 11+. Check each school's row above, as some set their own entrance test or use a different exam board.
What makes Gloucestershire grammar schools distinctive?
Pate's Grammar (Cheltenham) ranks consistently in the UK Top 10 state schools — particularly strong in Maths and Sciences with multiple Oxbridge offers each year.
What else should families know about the Gloucestershire 11+?
The Crypt School Gloucester (founded 1539) is one of England's oldest grammar schools — originally a chantry school dissolved in the Reformation.
Nearby Regions
Many families consider grammars in neighbouring regions to maximise options. Explore: