The best grammar schools in Gloucestershire

What are grammar schools?

A grammar school is a secondary school in the UK that admits pupils based on their academic ability. All children applying for a place at a grammar school will need to sit an entrance exam in Year 6 – the pupils with the highest scores are then eligible for a place in Year 7.

You do not need to pay school fees if your child attends a grammar school. Grammar schools are funded by the state (government) and are the only state-funded secondary schools in England that can select their pupils based on their academic ability.

All of the grammar schools in Gloucestershire use the same 11 plus test – referred to locally as the Gloucestershire Grammar School Entrance Test – to select pupils for entry. Children are assessed on their ability in maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.

Gloucestershire 11 plus

1. Pate’s Grammar School

© tes.com

Pate’s Grammar School is a high-achieving co-educational school in Cheltenham. It is consistently ranked within the best secondary schools in the UK, let alone Gloucestershire – in 2023, Pate’s was ranked sixth out of all state secondary schools in the country and was awarded the title 'The Southwest Secondary School of the Year 2022' for the second time by the Sunday Times.

‘The Pate’s Way’ is a vision that connects staff, students and the wider community. Everyone is encouraged to embrace challenges, support one another and work towards shaping the future. The school leads on educational excellence whilst maintaining a robust pastoral care system for staff and students. Every individual is supported to achieve personal success, whether through outstanding guidance and preparation for Higher Education or gold standard CPD for staff.

• Town: Cheltenham

• Local council: Gloucestershire County Council

• Gender: boys and girls aged 11–18

• Number of pupils: 1,284

• National rank for state secondary schools: 6

• GCSE results (2022): 95% A*/A/9/8/7

• A level results (2022): 95.4% A*–B

How to apply to Pate’s Grammar School

2. Sir Thomas Rich’s School

© strschool.co.uk

Sir Thomas Rich’s School is a boys’ grammar school with a co-educational sixth form in Gloucester. It was founded by 1st Baronet Sir Thomas Rich in 1666 and originally occupied a central Gloucester house before moving to a site in the suburbs in 1964.

The school is judged ‘Good’ by Ofsted, who concluded that pupils are “very happy in the school”. The report highlighted the school’s excellent pastoral care and breadth of extracurricular provision, which includes a range of activities in sports, music, performing arts and more.

• Town: Gloucester

• Local council: Gloucestershire County Council

• Gender: boys aged 11–18, girls aged 16–18

• Number of pupils: 1,200

• National rank for state secondary schools: 38

• GCSE results (2022): 84.2% A*/A/9/8/7

• A level results (2022): 84.5% A*–B

How to apply to Sir Thomas Rich’s School

3. Stroud High School

© wiltsglosstandard.co.uk

Stroud High School is a girls-only grammar school in Stroud, Gloucestershire. The school uses the research-based High Performance Learning philosophy and framework, helping students to cultivate advanced thinking and learning to prepare them for 21st century life.

In addition to helping students become successful learners, Stroud High School puts wellbeing at the top of its priorities. There’s a comprehensive programme of activities designed to promote each individual’s sense of self-worth and belonging, including a wellbeing curriculum, yoga and mindfulness sessions, peer support groups and workshops, counselling and specialised therapy.

• Town: Stroud

• Local council: Gloucestershire County Council

• Gender: girls aged 11–18

• Number of pupils: 1,083

• National rank for state secondary schools: 78

• GCSE results (2022): 74.4% A*/A/9/8/7

• A level results (2022): 79% A*–B

How to apply to Stroud High School

4. Denmark Road High School

© denmarkroad.org

Denmark Road High School is a selective girls' school with a co-educational sixth form in Gloucester. The school has recently published a 5-year vision plan for 2022–2027, which emphasises its commitment to positive progress and wellbeing for all and focuses on four key priorities for the coming years – health and wellbeing; equality, equity, diversity and inclusion; sustainability, and partnerships.

The school provides a well-rounded education to equip children with the key skills, knowledge and qualifications needed for success in their future. Beyond the curriculum, pupils are encouraged to get involved in active citizenship, and recognise their social responsibility to others, by fundraising and volunteering for organisations including Refugee Aid, Amnesty International, Mind and Oxfam.

• Town: Gloucester

• Local council: Gloucestershire County Council

• Gender: girls aged 11–18, boys aged 16–18

• Number of pupils: 1,000+

• National rank for state secondary schools: 89

• GCSE results (2022): 80.2% A*/A/9/8/7

• A level results (2022): 72.2% A*–B

How to apply to Denmark Road High School

5. Marling School

© facebook.com/marlingschool

Marling School is a selective boys' school with a mixed sixth form in Stroud, Gloucestershire. The school is proudly ambitious and emphasises the development of skills alongside knowledge, ensuring that pupils become active learners prepared for their place in a global society.

Alongside academic education, pupils at Marling School have access to a wide programme of personal development education and activities, including life skills lessons, tutor activities and assemblies, and cross-curricular links explored between departments. Particular importance is placed on the Duke of Edinburgh Award, with pupils offered the opportunity to get involved in the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.

• Town: Stroud

• Local council: Gloucestershire County Council

• Gender: boys aged 11–18, girls aged 16–18

• Number of pupils: 1,200+

• National rank for state secondary schools: 116

• GCSE results (2022): 65% A*/A/9/8/7

• A level results (2022): 73.8% A*–B

How to apply to Marling School