About Denmark Road High School
Denmark Road High School is a selective girls' grammar school in Gloucester with a co-educational Sixth Form, admitting 150 girls per year. It is one of seven Gloucestershire grammar schools that share the same GL Assessment entrance test, administered by the Gloucestershire Central Registration Bureau. There is no catchment area for Denmark Road — all applications are considered equally.
Denmark Road High School provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 65.4%. A-Level A*–B: 59.2%.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for Denmark Road High School
Denmark Road High School is a girls state grammar school in England that selects pupils through the Gloucestershire grammar school test (set using GL Assessment papers) for Year 7 admission. The school admits approximately 150 Year 7 pupils each September, and applications must be made through your home Local Authority via the Common Application Form (CAF) — never directly to the school.
The GL Assessment 11+ is one of two main 11+ test providers in England (the other being CEM, now retired in many regions). The Gloucestershire test typically consists of multiple papers covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Scores are standardised against the cohort age distribution, so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. Each school sets its own qualifying mark (pass mark).
For 2027 entry, the GL Assessment test is sat in September 2026 and results are released to parents on Mid-October 2026 — crucially, before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026, giving parents time to consider results before listing school preferences. National Offers Day is Monday 1 March 2027, when Local Authorities issue Year 7 secondary school offers.
Denmark Road High School is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the 11+ test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (150 places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Denmark Road High School
Denmark Road High School Admissions Criteria
Denmark Road High School is a selective girls' grammar school in Gloucester with a co-educational Sixth Form, admitting 150 girls per year. It is one of seven Gloucestershire grammar schools that share the same GL Assessment entrance test, administered by the Gloucestershire Central Registration Bureau. There is no catchment area for Denmark Road — all applications are considered equally.
- ✓Register via the Gloucestershire Central Registration Bureau (opens noon 18th May 2026, closes noon 26th June 2026).
- ✓Sit the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools entrance test — the same test held at all seven schools on the same day.
- ✓Papers cover Verbal Reasoning, English and Mathematics (GL Assessment multiple-choice format).
- ✓Achieve the qualifying standard to be eligible for a place.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- ✓Denmark Road has no catchment area — qualifying children from any area are eligible.
- ✓Where oversubscribed, priority given to those with the highest scores.
- ✓Tie-break by straight-line distance from the school.
- ✓A Late Test in January is available for those who missed the September registration — places from this test go on the waiting list only.
Denmark Road High School Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 150 Year 7 admission number, the Board of Governors / Trust applies the following criteria in priority order. Final ranking uses the standardised score achieved in the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test.
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children (highest priority by law)
- Children who achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test (above the qualifying standard set by Denmark Road High School)
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium / Free School Meals Entitlement (FSME)
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school
- Children with sibling(s) currently attending the school
- Children of staff (where staff member has worked at the school for 2+ years)
- Children ranked by total standardised score (highest first) up to the published admission number
- Tiebreak: distance from home to school (straight-line measurement) for children with equal scores
Key Dates & Deadlines — Denmark Road High School 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | May 2026 |
| 📌 Registration closes | late June 2026 (varies by school) |
| 📌 GL Assessment 11+ Entrance Test | September 2026 (English + Maths + Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) |
| 📌 Test results released | Mid-October 2026 |
| 📌 CAF deadline (apply via Local Authority) | Friday 31 October 2026 |
| 📌 National Offers Day | Monday 1 March 2027 |
How to Apply to Denmark Road High School via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register your child for the GL Assessment 11+ Test
Register through your regional 11+ portal (e.g. Gloucestershire) when registration opens. Closes late June 2026 (varies by school). There is no fee to sit the GL Assessment test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at Denmark Road High School
Visit during Year 5 or early Year 6 to meet staff and pupils and decide whether to list this school on your CAF.
Step 3 — Sit the GL Assessment Entrance Test
Your child sits the GL Assessment in September 2026. The test typically covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised scores age-adjusted.
Step 4 — Receive your standardised test results
Test results are released to parents on Mid-October 2026, BEFORE the Common Application Form deadline. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
Step 5 — Complete your Common Application Form (CAF)
List Denmark Road High School as one of your preferences on the CAF submitted via your home Local Authority (not the school's LA, unless they are the same). You can usually list 3-6 preferences depending on your LA.
Step 6 — Submit the CAF by the deadline
Submit your CAF by Friday 31 October 2026. Late applications are processed only after all on-time applications have been allocated, dramatically reducing your chance of a place.
Step 7 — Receive your school offer on National Offers Day
Offers are issued via your Local Authority on Monday 1 March 2027. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Denmark Road High School's waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Denmark Road High School
Denmark Road selects through the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools' Entrance Test (GL Assessment), shared across the county's seven grammar schools — two multiple-choice papers of about 45–50 minutes each, taken on the same day, age-standardised, with a qualifying standard around the top 25%.
- Verbal reasoning: English comprehension, vocabulary and word-based logic.
- Numerical reasoning: number-based problem-solving.
- Non-verbal reasoning: visual patterns, sequences and shapes.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Denmark Road High School
Denmark Road High School uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Denmark Road High School 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Denmark Road High School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Denmark Road is one of Gloucestershire's top-performing schools. In a recent year around 99.5% of GCSE entries were grade 4 or above and about 97.8% grade 5 or above, with roughly 78% at grade 7+ and over half (around 56%) at grade 8–9; its co-educational sixth form also posts strong A-Level results (around 92% A*–C in a recent year).
- GCSE: around 78% of entries at grade 7 or above in a recent year.
- Sixth form: a co-educational sixth form with strong A-Level outcomes.
- Progression: strong progression to leading universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for Denmark Road High School
Admission to Year 7 is through the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools' Entrance Test, produced by GL Assessment and shared across all seven of the county's grammar schools — so a child sits it once. It is two multiple-choice papers of about 45–50 minutes each, taken on the same day with a short break, assessing verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning and non-verbal reasoning (with English comprehension and vocabulary). Scores are age-standardised, and a child usually needs to be within roughly the top 25% of applicants to reach the qualifying standard.
The school does not operate a catchment area, so girls from any location may apply; after looked-after children and those with an EHCP naming the school, places are allocated using the school's oversubscription criteria (including Pupil Premium) and ultimately distance. There are around 150 Year 7 places. Families register for the test via the school and name Denmark Road on the local authority's Common Application Form; results are issued in October. Always confirm the current arrangements in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Denmark Road High School is a selective girls' grammar (with a co-educational sixth form) of around 990 pupils on Denmark Road in Gloucester (GL1 3JN). Established in 1883, it is an academy with a proud history and a community ethos built around ambition, creativity, compassion and resilience.
The school combines strong teaching and modern facilities with a wealth of opportunities in sport, music, drama and public speaking. For the full list of clubs, teams and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Denmark Road High School
How do I apply to Denmark Road High School for Year 7?
Applications to Denmark Road High School are made through your home Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) — not directly to the school. Your child must sit the GL Assessment 11+ test (registration closes late June 2026 (varies by school)), then list Denmark Road High School on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does Denmark Road High School use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — Denmark Road High School uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test for Year 7 admission, taken in September 2026 (English + Maths + Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning). The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised age-adjusted scores.
What is the pass mark / qualifying score for Denmark Road High School?
Denmark Road High School sets its own qualifying mark each year. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) up to the admission number of 150 places.
How many Year 7 places does Denmark Road High School have?
Denmark Road High School admits 150 Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places fairly.
When are GL Assessment results released in 2026?
For 2027 Year 7 entry, GL Assessment test results are released on Mid-October 2026 — before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
When is National Offers Day for Denmark Road High School in 2027?
National Offers Day for Year 7 secondary school places in England is Monday 1 March 2027. Offers are issued by your home Local Authority — not directly by the school. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Denmark Road High School's waiting list.
Is Denmark Road High School a state school or fee-paying?
Denmark Road High School is a state-funded grammar school — there are no tuition fees. As a state grammar, it is academically selective via the GL Assessment 11+ test, but pupils who pass the test do not pay to attend.
How can my child prepare for the Denmark Road High School 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete GL Assessment 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question (covering all GL topic areas — English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning), and downloadable resources. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the September 11+ test.
Where can I find Denmark Road High School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Denmark Road High School 2027 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, qualifying mark, supplementary forms (if any), and any school-specific application requirements.