Best Grammar Schools in Gloucestershire in 2026

There are 7 grammar schools in Gloucestershire. Based on 2025 exam results, the best grammar schools in Gloucestershire are Pate's Grammar School, Sir Thomas Rich's School, Stroud High School, Marling School and Denmark Road High School. Pate's Grammar School, in Cheltenham, ranks 6th among all state secondary schools in the entire UK, making it the best performing state school outside London. Every grammar school in the county uses the same shared Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test, sat once in September, regardless of how many schools a family applies to. 

Seven grammar schools, one shared exam, and one school currently ranked in the top 10 state schools in the entire UK. Here is a complete, detailed guide to the best grammar schools in Gloucestershire, based on 2025 results.

How many grammar schools are there in Gloucestershire?

There are 7 grammar schools in Gloucestershire. The full list is as follows: 

• The Crypt School

• Denmark Road High School 

• Pate's Grammar School

• Stroud High School

• Sir Thomas Rich's School

• Ribston Hall High School 

• Marling School 

Five of these feature among the top ranked grammar schools in the county based on 2025 exam results, covered in detail below.

Top grammar schools in Gloucestershire for 2026

1. Pate's Grammar School

Cheltenham · Mixed · 1,200+ pupils

Pate's Grammar School is a high achieving co-educational school and the best performing state school outside London. It ranks 6th among all state secondary schools in the UK. The school's guiding vision, known as The Pate's Way, connects staff, students and the wider community, encouraging everyone to embrace challenges and support one another, alongside robust pastoral care.

2. Sir Thomas Rich's School

Gloucester · Boys, mixed sixth form · 1,200+ pupils

Founded in the city centre by 1st Baronet Sir Thomas Rich in 1666, before moving to its present suburban site in 1964, Sir Thomas Rich's is praised by Ofsted for students' impeccable behaviour and high expectations from school leaders. A wide range of extracurricular activities is on offer, including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, European language trips, USA politics trips and global sports tours.

3. Stroud High School

Stroud · Girls · 1,000+ pupils

Stroud High School is committed to helping students cultivate advanced thinking and learning skills to prepare them for life well beyond school. Wellbeing sits right at the top of the school's priorities, with a dedicated wellbeing programme promoting self-worth and a genuine sense of belonging, including yoga and mindfulness sessions, peer support groups and specialised therapy.

4. Marling School

Stroud · Boys, mixed sixth form · 1,000+ pupils

Marling School provides a vibrant academic environment that both supports and challenges its students, encouraging them to become active, engaged learners in preparation for further education and life in a genuinely global society.

5. Denmark Road High School2

Gloucester · Girls, mixed sixth form · 950+ pupils

Denmark Road High School provides a well rounded education, equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed for future success while prioritising wellbeing, equality, sustainability and community partnerships. Students are actively encouraged toward citizenship, with many fundraising and volunteering for organisations such as Refugee Aid, Mind and Oxfam.

The other grammar schools in Gloucestershire

Two further grammar schools complete the county's full list of 7. While they did not feature among the top 5 by 2025 results, both remain well established, genuinely respected schools within the Gloucestershire selective system.

1. The Crypt School

Gloucester · Boys, mixed sixth form

One of the oldest schools in Gloucestershire, The Crypt School has a long standing academic tradition and forms part of the county's well established grammar school network.

2. Ribston Hall High School

Gloucester · Girls

Ribston Hall High School is a girls' grammar school in Gloucester, offering a broad academic curriculum within the same shared Gloucestershire entrance exam system as the other six schools.

Whichever of the seven schools your family is considering, all use the identical entrance exam and admissions timeline, so the preparation your child needs stays consistent across the whole county. 

How to get into a grammar school in Gloucestershire

Every grammar school in Gloucestershire uses the same entrance exam, the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test, held on the same day each September. This is genuinely good news for families, since a child only needs to sit the exam once, even when applying to more than one grammar school in the county.

The exam itself is split into two papers. One tests verbal skills, including reading comprehension, vocabulary and verbal reasoning. The other tests non-verbal reasoning and mathematical knowledge. Together, the full exam takes approximately two hours. 

What's on the Gloucestershire 11 plus exam

Understanding exactly what the shared entrance exam tests helps focus preparation far more effectively than generic revision alone.

Verbal paper

Language and reasoning

• Reading comprehension

• Vocabulary

• Verbal reasoning

Non-verbal and maths paper

Numerical and visual reasoning

• Non-verbal reasoning

• Mathematical knowledge

• Timed, structured questions

Together, both papers take approximately two hours to complete, and since verbal and non-verbal reasoning are not part of the national curriculum, most children encounter this style of question for the first time through dedicated 11+ preparation rather than ordinary school lessons.

How to prepare for a grammar school in Gloucestershire

Since every school shares the same exam, preparation genuinely benefits from covering all three tested areas evenly, rather than focusing heavily on just one.

1. Start building core skills early

Beginning in Year 4 or Year 5 gives children genuine time to build vocabulary, mental arithmetic and comprehension steadily, rather than cramming everything into the final months before the exam.

2. Give verbal and non-verbal reasoning dedicated attention

Since neither is taught as part of the school curriculum, focused, structured practice on these specific question types makes a genuine difference to overall confidence.

3. Practise under real timed conditions

Working through 11+ past papers and sitting 11 plus mocks builds the pace and composure needed to complete both papers confidently within the two hour window.

4. Get structured, experienced support

A tutor who understands the Gloucestershire 11+ format specifically can target preparation far more effectively than generic revision alone.

Our 11+ free practice papers are a great starting point at home, and our 11 plus intensive summer course offers a genuinely concentrated push well ahead of the September test date. 

If your family is nearby, our 11 plus tutors in Birmingham would love to help build exactly this kind of structured, well rounded preparation for your child's Gloucestershire grammar school application.

Final thoughts

Gloucestershire's seven grammar schools each bring their own genuine character, from Pate's nationally top ranked results to Stroud High's dedicated focus on wellbeing, yet every single one shares the same entrance exam and the same promise of a genuinely excellent, fee free education for children who are ready for it.

Because every school uses the identical Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test, families can prepare with real confidence, knowing exactly what to expect regardless of which of the seven schools ends up being the right fit. With steady, well rounded preparation across verbal skills, non-verbal reasoning and maths, a place at one of these genuinely excellent schools is a realistic goal for any well prepared child, and we would love to help your family get there. Get in touch with us today.