About Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham
Pate's Grammar School is a leading co-educational grammar school in Cheltenham — Sunday Times State Secondary School of the Year 2020. Founded in 1574, it is consistently ranked among the top state schools in England and welcomes boys and girls aged 11–18. Pate's 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 fixed pass mark — places are offered in rank order.
Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 90%. A-Level A*–B: 92.6%.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham
Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham is a boys state grammar school in England that uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test to select pupils 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.
Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham 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 Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham
Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham Admissions Criteria
Pate's Grammar School is a leading co-educational grammar school in Cheltenham — Sunday Times State Secondary School of the Year 2020. Founded in 1574, it is consistently ranked among the top state schools in England and welcomes boys and girls aged 11–18. Pate's 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 fixed pass mark — places are offered in rank order.
- ✓Register via the Gloucestershire Central Registration Bureau (noon 18th May – noon 26th June 2026).
- ✓Sit the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools entrance test — two GL Assessment multiple-choice papers on Saturday 12th September 2026.
- ✓Papers cover Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning (each paper approx. 45–55 minutes).
- ✓There is no fixed pass mark — pupils are ranked by their standardised scores.
- ✓Pate's Grammar School does not have a formal catchment area — applications from outside Gloucestershire are welcomed.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- ✓Children who achieve the highest standardised scores, ranked in order of merit.
- ✓Where tied, distance from the school (straight-line) is used as a tie-breaker.
Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham 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 Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham)
- 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 — Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham 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 Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham 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 Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham
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 Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham 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 Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham's waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham
Pate's Grammar School selects through the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (currently GL Assessment), shared across the county's grammar schools — two age-standardised multiple-choice papers of around an hour each.
- English comprehension & vocabulary: reading, understanding and word knowledge.
- Verbal reasoning: logic, vocabulary and problem-solving with words.
- Non-verbal reasoning: pattern recognition and visual problem-solving.
Note: Gloucestershire is moving to a new test provider (FSCE) for future cycles — confirm the current arrangements with the school.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham
Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham 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 Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham 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 Pate's Grammar School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Pate's Grammar School is one of the highest-achieving state schools in the country and has twice been named the Sunday Times State Secondary School of the Year (2012 and 2020). Recent measures show a Progress 8 score of around 1.01, an Attainment 8 of about 83.7, and roughly 98.7% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in English and maths, with strong A-Level outcomes and progression to leading universities.
- GCSE: around 98.7% grade 5+ in English and maths, with a Progress 8 of about 1.01.
- Sixth form: a high-performing sixth form with around 71% of grades at AAB or better.
- Ofsted: rated Outstanding (2013 and again in 2024).
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for Pate's Grammar School
Admission to Year 7 is through the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test, produced by GL Assessment and used by all of the county's grammar schools — so a child sits it once. It is two multiple-choice papers of around an hour each, covering English comprehension and vocabulary, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning; scores are age-standardised and a child must reach the qualifying standard. Note that Gloucestershire is moving its entrance test to a new provider (FSCE) for future cycles, so always confirm the current provider and format with the school. Families complete the Local Authority Common Application Form and a separate test registration form.
The school admits around 150 pupils to Year 7 and does not operate a catchment area; children from Gloucestershire and beyond may sit the test, with no priority given by location. Where qualified applicants are tied, straight-line distance to the school is used as the deciding factor, so demand is very high. Always confirm the current arrangements in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Pate's Grammar School is a selective co-educational grammar for ages 11–18 on Princess Elizabeth Way in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (GL51 0HG), with around 1,280 pupils. It traces its origins to 1574, when Richard Pate endowed a school through Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and became co-educational in 1986 when Pate's Grammar School for Girls merged with Cheltenham Grammar School.
Led by Dr James Richardson, the school combines high academic expectations with extensive support and a campus with acres of sports fields, offering a broad curriculum (including languages such as French, German and Mandarin) and a wide enrichment programme. For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pate's Grammar School
How do I apply to Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham for Year 7?
Applications to Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham 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 Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham 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 Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham?
Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham 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 Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham have?
Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham 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 Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham 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 Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham's waiting list.
Is Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham a state school or fee-paying?
Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham 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 Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham 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 Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham 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.