Sir Thomas Rich's School 11+

Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Sir Thomas Rich's School.

How to get into Sir Thomas Rich's School

Sir Thomas Rich's School is a selective secondary school in Gloucestershire. To get into Sir Thomas Rich's School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Sir Thomas Rich's School with all the important information you need to know.

Admission Requirements

Sir Thomas Rich's School admits 150 boys to Year 7 every September for boys aged 11-18 and operates a co-educational Sixth Form[1]. Children who were born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 will take the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools' Entrance Test on Saturday 13th September 2025 for Year 7 entry in September 2026.

Pupils living anywhere in the county of Gloucestershire and beyond can apply to join us in Year 7 or Year 12, subject to meeting our admissions criteria [1]. We don't have a catchment area and there is no priority for siblings.

Entry to Year 7 requires passing the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Admissions Test, which prospective pupils take at the start of Year 6 [1]. If the number of children who have met the qualifying standard for entry to the school exceeds the number of places available, Sir Thomas Rich's School applies oversubscription criteria. Children are prioritised for places in the following order: 'Looked after' or 'previously looked after' children who have met the qualifying standard · Boys who have met the qualifying standard and are registered for Pupil Premium · All other boys who have met the qualifying standard, ranked in order of marks in the test.

All images © Sir Thomas Rich's School.
All images © Sir Thomas Rich's School.

Application Process

Families must complete two separate applications for their child to be considered for admission. The Gloucestershire Grammar Schools' Entrance Test registration window for 2026 intake will be open from noon, 19 May 2025 to noon, 27 June 2025. The schools are planning for the Entrance Test to take place on Saturday 13 September 2025.

Parents register their son to take the test on the Gloucestershire Grammar School Admissions portal between May and June, when pupils are in Year 5. Rich's is part of the G7 group, seven grammar schools in the county who work together to administrate the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Admission Test for entry to Year 7 [1]. You only need to register once, regardless of whether you are interested in your son attending one or several of the Gloucestershire grammar schools. When you register, you can choose which of the schools you would like to share the test result with, and where you would like your son to sit the Admissions Test [1].

After receiving test results in mid-October 2025 (see key dates), families must complete a Common Application Form (CAF) through their local authority by 31st October 2025 (see key dates). On Monday 2nd March 2026, you will find out which school your child has been allocated a place at. They will be allocated a place at your highest-preferred school for which they meet the entry criteria and which has places available.

All images © Sir Thomas Rich's School.
All images © Sir Thomas Rich's School.
  • Register for the entrance test through the Gloucestershire Grammar School Admissions portal between 19th May 2025 and 27th June 2025
  • Take the Gloucestershire 11+ test on Saturday 13th September 2025 (see key dates)
  • Receive test results in mid-October 2025 (see key dates)
  • Complete Common Application Form (CAF) by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
  • Receive school allocation on Monday 2nd March 2026 (see key dates)

Examination Format

The Gloucestershire 11+ test consists of two multiple-choice papers that cover the following subjects: English Comprehension, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning · Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning (including Spatial Reasoning) Both tests are taken on the same day and each session lasts about an hour. The test takes place in mid-September when prospective pupils are in Year 6, on the same Saturday at the same time for all seven grammar schools. There are usually two sittings, and if you register your son to sit the test at Sir Thomas Rich's we will tell you which sitting you have been allocated [1].

The Gloucestershire Grammar Schools' Entrance Test consists of two papers provided by GL Assessment. Most grammar schools in the UK use 11 plus papers provided by GL Assessment. Each test lasts around one hour. This includes time for instructions, some worked (unmarked) example questions, and the real test questions. Your child will take both tests in September if they're applying for entry in 2026. There is a short break between the two papers.

There is no pre-defined pass mark for the Gloucestershire 11 plus exam. The qualifying standard will only be set after the test is taken and the results are known. This varies from year to year but has historically been around 210-220 marks. On results day in October, we will let you know if your son has achieved the qualifying standard for Sir Thomas Rich's. If your son has not achieved the qualifying standard you cannot put Sir Thomas Rich's as a preference on the LA Common Application Form. If your son has achieved the qualifying standard, you will be able to put Sir Thomas Rich's as a preference on the LA Common Application Form [1].

Preparation Guidance

Families should begin preparation well in advance of the test date. Beyond this, the best preparation for the test is to read a wide range of books and practise mathematics on a regular basis [1]. For children aged 10–11, child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20–30 minutes.

GL Assessment provide free familiarisation materials which can be found here: Free Familiarisation Materials from GL Assessment [1]. For additional practice resources, families can access free practice papers. For specialised support, consider working with an experienced tutor.

We work with Atom Learning, an online 11+ preparation and Key Stage 2 learning platform, to provide children who are eligible for Pupil Premium with free familiarisation materials, including learning resources and practice questions covering English, Maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, along with mock tests. If your child has been eligible for free school meals at any point in the last six years, please fill in the request form by clicking the button below; you will be given free access to Atom Home when your child's Pupil Premium status has been verified by their primary school [1].

  • Start preparation 12-18 months before the test with regular reading and mathematics practice
  • Use GL Assessment free familiarisation materials to understand the test format
  • Practice 20-30 minute study sessions for optimal learning retention
  • Focus on English comprehension, vocabulary, verbal reasoning, mathematics, and non-verbal reasoning
  • Complete practice papers under timed conditions to improve time management
  • Eligible families can access free Pupil Premium support through the school

Practical Advice

On exam day, children should arrive well-rested and prepared for approximately two hours of testing with a break between papers. There will be two test papers, each lasting approximately 45 to 50 minutes, including time for instructions and worked examples. A break will be provided between the papers, during which students are encouraged to have a small drink and snack. The test will be conducted in classrooms, with each group consisting of around 8-15 students, preferably from the same primary schools.

Pupils who rank in the top 150 for Sir Thomas Rich's (the number of pupils we admit into Year 7) are very likely to be offered a place. Pupils who qualify and rank at 151 or lower may still be offered a place, dependent on factors such as the number of students sitting the test who choose to share their results with the school [1]. Families should consider applying to multiple Gloucestershire grammar schools to increase their chances of securing a grammar school place.

If unsuccessful, families have several options. If you are not offered a place at Sir Thomas Rich's you can choose to go onto our waiting list and / or appeal. Full details are available here: Lower School Prospectus [1]. Appeals can only be made after 3 March 2025 (national allocation day). Appeal Hearings will begin in early June 2025, with exact dates to be confirmed nearer the time.

Gloucestershire 11+ Information

In order to get into Sir Thomas Rich's School, children need to pass the Gloucestershire 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Gloucestershire 11+ Subjects & Structure

The Gloucestershire 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Vocabulary
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Non-Verbal Reasoning
  • Maths

The Gloucestershire Grammar Schools' Entrance Test is a crucial assessment for students seeking admission to selective grammar schools in Gloucestershire, including Sir Thomas Rich's School. This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the academic potential and aptitude of prospective students.

The entrance test is divided into two distinct papers, each lasting one hour. Paper 1 focuses on assessing the candidate's verbal skills, encompassing reading comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, and verbal reasoning abilities. Paper 2, on the other hand, concentrates on evaluating the student's non-verbal skills, which include non-verbal reasoning and mathematical proficiency.

Throughout both papers, candidates are presented with a series of multiple-choice questions, requiring them to demonstrate their understanding, logical thinking, and problem-solving skills across various domains. The Gloucestershire Grammar Schools' Entrance Test aims to identify students with the necessary academic foundation and potential to thrive in the challenging and stimulating environment offered by Sir Thomas Rich's School and other prestigious grammar schools in the region.

Other Schools using Gloucestershire 11+

As well as Sir Thomas Rich's School, several other schools also use Gloucestershire 11+. These are:

Gloucestershire 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Sir Thomas Rich's School is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.
Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Gloucestershire 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Gloucestershire 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.
Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Sir Thomas Rich's School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Key Dates for the Sir Thomas Rich's School 11+ Entrance Tests

Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Sir Thomas Rich's School) as well as other relevant dates.

DateEventCalendar Link
19/05/2025Gloucestershire 11 Plus Registration Opens At MiddayAdd Dates to Calendar
27/06/2025Gloucestershire 11 Plus Registration Closes At Midday
13/09/2025Gloucestershire Grammar Schools’ Entrance Test
Late OctoberSecondary School Applications Close At 5pm
02/03/2026Secondary School National Offers Day

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Sir Thomas Rich's School as they may well change.

11+ Tutor for Sir Thomas Rich's School

As the Gloucestershire 11+ entrance process is particularly gruelling, we would highly recommend using an 11+ private tutor.

Why use a private 11+ tutor?

Personal tutors have the experience and expertise to help children pass their 11+ exams. They know the requirements of the GL Assessment 11+ tests inside-out and can provide tailored support to give children the best possible chance of success. It's also important to bear in mind that plenty of other children will be using private tutors too.

11+ tutors don't need to be face-to-face, plenty of children use online 11+ tutors.

11+ tutors help ensure preparation work gets done!
11+ tutors help ensure preparation work gets done!

11+ tutors can also provide regular progress reports and feedback, helping parents to monitor their child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their preparation.

Most importantly, using an 11+ tutor helps ensure that the preparation work gets done!

Private 11+ Tutors for the Sir Thomas Rich's School 11+ Tests

We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Sir Thomas Rich's School 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.

11+ Past Papers for Sir Thomas Rich's School

Here are all available past 11+ papers for Sir Thomas Rich's School. Please note that this may include 11+ past papers, past familiarisation booklets, past practice materials published by third parties and past 11+ exam guides written by the school. These materials are provided 'as-is' and may no longer reflect the subjects, format, structure or exam board that Sir Thomas Rich's School currently uses.

The exam board (or test supplier) that Sir Thomas Rich's School chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

As well as these past 11+ papers, you may find our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers helpful for your child's preparation.

Exam BoardSubject11+ Past Paper
CEM*
Now use GL Assessment		Mixed

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Thomas Rich's School

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Gloucestershire 11+ Ensure you double-check with Sir Thomas Rich's School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.

This is just a sample of our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers. Please click here to see the full collection.

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Thomas Rich's School by Bond

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by Bond and cover and cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. As such they are very helpful for children hoping to pass the Gloucestershire 11+ to get into Sir Thomas Rich's School.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMixed

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Thomas Rich's School by GL Assessment

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. As with the Bond papers, they cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. They remain useful and we encourage parents to download and use them with their children to help them get into Sir Thomas Rich's School.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMixed

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Thomas Rich's School by Exam Ninja

These Free 11+ Practice Tests by Exam Ninja are extremely useful. They are straight-forward 10-question tests in Maths and English, following the same GL Assessment style (and multiple-choice format) as the Gloucestershire 11+.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Thomas Rich's School by Owl Tutors

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Owl Tutors. These too are written in a GL Assessment style and make useful practice for children hoping to get into Sir Thomas Rich's School.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentWriting
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Thomas Rich's School by CGP

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. As with the Bond, GL Assessment and Exam Ninja papers, they're written for the GL Assessment style, in multiple-choice format and are helpful for children hoping to pass their 11+ tests and get into Sir Thomas Rich's School.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. If Sir Thomas Rich's School ever used them then they don't anymore as grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these 11+ tests remain useful.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
CEMMaths
CEMVerbal Reasoning
CEMNon-Verbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Thomas Rich's School by 11+ For You

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Thomas Rich's School by Examberry

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Thomas Rich's School by Independent Junction

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Thomas Rich's School by IPS

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths

11+ Practice Papers for Sir Thomas Rich's School by Schofield & Sims

These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths

School Information

Below you will find further information about Sir Thomas Rich's School together with their admissions contact details.

Sir Thomas Rich's School is a boys-only grammar school.
Sir Thomas Rich's School is a boys-only grammar school.
Address
Sir Thomas Rich's School,
Oakleaze,
Gloucester,
Gloucestershire
GL2 0LF
School Website
Telephone01452338400
Email Addressinfo@strs.org.uk
GenderBoys only
Total Year 7 Places150
Total Pupils (Girls/Boys)1226 (160 Girls / 1066 Boys)
Headteacher Mr Matthew Morgan

Sir Thomas Rich's School is a boys only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,226 pupils attend Sir Thomas Rich's School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Matthew Morgan.

Sir Thomas Rich's School Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

Ofsted Information

Sir Thomas Rich's School was last inspected by Ofsted on 06/10/2021 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 22/11/2021, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Sir Thomas Rich's School obtained <strong>Good</strong> in their last Ofsted inspection in 2021.
Sir Thomas Rich's School obtained Good in their last Ofsted inspection in 2021.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Date InspectedInspection Duration (Days)Reporting DateRatingFull Report
06/10/2021122/11/2021GoodFull Report

Ofsted Report Summary

The inspection of Sir Thomas Rich's School on 6 October 2021 resulted in an overall outcome of Good. The quality of education, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision were all rated as Good. The school's behaviour and attitudes were deemed Outstanding.

The report highlights the school's strengths across various areas, with a particular emphasis on the exceptional behaviour and attitudes of the students. The Good ratings in quality of education, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision indicate that the school is performing well in these aspects.

The inspection outcome suggests that Sir Thomas Rich's School provides a positive learning environment for its students, with effective teaching, leadership, and support for personal growth. The school's Outstanding rating in behaviour and attitudes further underscores the positive culture and atmosphere within the school community.

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Sir Thomas Rich's School for the 2022-23 academic year.

GCSE Subjects Offered
  • English Language (155 pupils)
  • Mathematics (155 pupils)
  • Biology (154 pupils)
  • Physics (154 pupils)
  • Chemistry (153 pupils)
  • English Literature (152 pupils)
  • Geography (80 pupils)
  • History (70 pupils)
  • Computer Studies/Computing (60 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (57 pupils)
  • Design & Technology (56 pupils)
  • Economics (51 pupils)
  • German (43 pupils)
  • French (38 pupils)
  • Spanish (38 pupils)
  • Physical Education/Sports Studies (22 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (18 pupils)
  • Drama & Theatre Studies (15 pupils)
  • Art & Design (12 pupils)
  • Music (12 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Photography) (9 pupils)
A-Level Subjects Offered
  • Mathematics (100 pupils)
  • Biology (72 pupils)
  • Chemistry (66 pupils)
  • Physics (62 pupils)
  • Psychology (44 pupils)
  • Geography (39 pupils)
  • Economics (32 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (29 pupils)
  • History (29 pupils)
  • English Literature (28 pupils)
  • Mathematics (Further) (24 pupils)
  • Government and Politics (19 pupils)
  • Art and Design (16 pupils)
  • Computer Studies / Computing (16 pupils)
  • Design and Technology (Product Design) (13 pupils)
  • Physical Education / Sports Studies (13 pupils)
  • Drama and Theatre Studies (10 pupils)

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Sir Thomas Rich's School per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

SubjectTotal Pupils Grades Achieved
U123456789
Art & Design12-------435
Biology154----1615344553
Business Studies:Single57----151122153
Chemistry153----21121374636
Computer Studies/Computing60--12410121696
Design & Technology56---1-12101329
Economics51-----3771915
English Language155---111446433614
English Literature152---15254934289
French381---2548117
Geography80------10262717
German43----1912867
History70-1---517152012
Mathematics155-----813355643
Music12----113223
Art & Design (Photography)9------1323
Physics154---1-314284662
Religious Studies18-----13356
Spanish382--1686654
Drama & Theatre Studies15-----37212
Physical Education/Sports Studies22------1885

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

SubjectTotal Pupils Grades Achieved
UEDCBAA*
Art and Design16-----610
Biology72--614162115
Business Studies:Single29--125147
Chemistry66-11013141810
Computer Studies / Computing16-214261
Design and Technology (Product Design)13----265
Drama and Theatre Studies10--1531-
Economics32----8168
English Literature28--31087-
Geography39--1118145
Government and Politics19---1666
History29--181163
Mathematics100-3911173030
Mathematics (Further)24----1158
Physical Education / Sports Studies13--13621
Physics62-17882414
Psychology44---111689

FAQ

Is Sir Thomas Rich's School hard to get into?

Yes, Sir Thomas Rich's School is hard to get into! Children need to pass their challenging 11+ entrance test (with a high pass mark) and there's tough competition with many other children trying to get a place for Year 7.

Is Sir Thomas Rich's School a private school?

No, Sir Thomas Rich's School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.

Is Sir Thomas Rich's School free?

Yes, Sir Thomas Rich's School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Sir Thomas Rich's School won't cost you any money.

How do I get my child into Sir Thomas Rich's School?

You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Sir Thomas Rich's School for how up to date information on how to apply (it may be automatic or it may require some forms to be filled in). More information on their 11+ entrance test can be found here.

Is Sir Thomas Rich's School a boys-only school?

Yes, Sir Thomas Rich's School is a boys-only school.

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