About Ribston Hall High School
Ribston Hall High School is a selective girls' grammar school in Gloucester (with a co-educational Sixth Form), founded in 1886. It is one of seven Gloucestershire grammar schools sharing the same GL Assessment entrance test. Ribston Hall is known for its focus on holistic development alongside academic excellence.
Ribston Hall High School provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for Ribston Hall High School
Ribston Hall High School is a girls state grammar school in England that uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test to select pupils for Year 7 admission. The school admits approximately None 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.
Ribston Hall 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 (None 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 Ribston Hall High School
Ribston Hall High School Admissions Criteria
Ribston Hall High School is a selective girls' grammar school in Gloucester (with a co-educational Sixth Form), founded in 1886. It is one of seven Gloucestershire grammar schools sharing the same GL Assessment entrance test. Ribston Hall is known for its focus on holistic development alongside academic excellence.
- ✓Register via the Gloucestershire Central Registration Bureau (noon 18th May – noon 26th June 2026).
- ✓Sit the shared Gloucestershire Grammar Schools entrance test on Saturday 12th September 2026.
- ✓Papers cover Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning (GL Assessment multiple-choice).
- ✓No fixed pass mark — pupils ranked by standardised score.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- ✓Girls ranked in order of merit from their standardised test score.
- ✓Distance from the school used as a tie-breaker where scores are equal.
Ribston Hall High School Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the None 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 Ribston Hall 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 — Ribston Hall 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 Ribston Hall 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 Ribston Hall 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 Ribston Hall 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 Ribston Hall High School's waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Ribston Hall High School
Ribston Hall selects through the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (GL Assessment), sat once for the county's seven grammar schools — two age-standardised multiple-choice papers of around 45–60 minutes.
- Verbal paper: English comprehension, vocabulary and verbal reasoning.
- Non-verbal & mathematics paper: pattern and spatial reasoning plus Key Stage 2 maths.
Note: the Gloucestershire grammar schools have announced changes to testing arrangements for entry from September 2028 — confirm the current details with the school.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Ribston Hall High School
Ribston Hall 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 Ribston Hall 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 Ribston Hall High School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Ribston Hall High School is a selective girls' grammar with a strong academic record and a notably caring ethos; in 2017 it was named the most oversubscribed grammar school in Gloucestershire, and it holds specialist status in humanities and sports.
- GCSE & A-Level: consistently strong results across a broad curriculum.
- Sixth form: a co-educational sixth form with strong university progression.
- Specialism: a specialist humanities and sports school, with languages.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for Ribston Hall High School
Admission to Year 7 is through the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test, produced by GL Assessment and used by all seven of the county's grammar schools — so a child sits it once. It is two multiple-choice papers of around 45–60 minutes (with a short break): one assessing verbal skills (English comprehension, vocabulary and verbal reasoning) and the other non-verbal reasoning and mathematics; papers are age-standardised, with no fixed pass mark, and pupils are ranked by score. Note that the Gloucestershire grammar schools have announced changes to their testing arrangements for entry from September 2028, so always confirm the current details with the school. Families complete the Local Authority Common Application Form and a separate test registration form.
The school admits around 120 girls to Year 7 and does not operate a catchment area. After children with an EHCP and looked-after children, around 30 places are allocated to qualified Pupil Premium pupils (with those in Gloucester City prioritised), and the remaining places are offered in rank order of score, with distance used where applicants are tied. Always confirm the current arrangements in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Ribston Hall High School is a selective girls' grammar for ages 11–18, with a co-educational sixth form, on Stroud Road in Gloucester, Gloucestershire (GL1 5LE), with around 820 pupils. Founded in 1921 and a grammar school since 1944, it has educated girls in Gloucester for over a century, moving to its present site in 1961 and becoming an academy in 2011; it holds specialist humanities and sports status.
The school is known for a warm, caring community — from its 'unity day' bringing together Year 7 and Year 12 to its strong pastoral support — alongside a broad enrichment programme. For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ribston Hall High School
How do I apply to Ribston Hall High School for Year 7?
Applications to Ribston Hall 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 Ribston Hall High School on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does Ribston Hall High School use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — Ribston Hall 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 Ribston Hall High School?
Ribston Hall 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 None places.
How many Year 7 places does Ribston Hall High School have?
Ribston Hall High School admits None 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 Ribston Hall 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 Ribston Hall High School's waiting list.
Is Ribston Hall High School a state school or fee-paying?
Ribston Hall 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 Ribston Hall 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 Ribston Hall High School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Ribston Hall 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.