Stroud High School 11+

Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Stroud High School.

How to get into Stroud High School

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

Admission Requirements

Stroud High School is a selective grammar school for girls aged 11-16 with a co-educational Sixth Form [1]. The school offers 150 places annually for Year 7 entry. Children apply for entry to Year 7 from ages 11 to 18, typically entering in September after taking the Gloucestershire 11+ in Year 6.

Stroud High School does not have a catchment area [1]. Children from Gloucestershire and beyond can take the 11 plus exam; all children will be considered equally. Students must meet the qualifying standard in the entrance examination to be eligible for a place.

If the number of children who have met the qualifying standard for entry to the school exceeds the number of places available, Stroud High School applies oversubscription criteria. Children are prioritised for places in the following order: Children in public care, or previously in public care; Students from families who are eligible for the Pupil Premium or Service Pupil Premium at the time of the test; The remaining places are allocated based on rank order in the entrance test.

All images © Stroud High School.
All images © Stroud High School.

Application Process

Registration for 2026 Entry will open from Monday 19 May 12 noon until Friday 27 June 12 noon 2025 (see key dates) [1]. Late applications will not be accepted. Families must complete both the Grammar School Registration Form and the Common Application Form (CAF).

Families need to complete a Grammar School Registration Form to enable their daughter to sit the entrance test [1]. The test will take place on Saturday 13 September 2025 for entry in September 2026 (see key dates). Families will receive their child's results in mid-October in good time to complete the Local Authority's Common Application Form.

The CAF is administered by the Local Authority and must be completed to make preferences for secondary schooling by the deadline of 31 October (see key dates) [1]. Gloucestershire Local Authority will offer 150 places to students who have met the required standard in rank order according to the school's Admission Policy. National Allocation Day is the first Monday in March.

All images © Stroud High School.
All images © Stroud High School.

Examination Details

All seven grammar schools in Gloucestershire use the same 11 plus exam known as the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools' Entrance Test. Children will only have to take the test once, regardless of how many grammar schools in the county families are applying to. Families will find out which testing centre their child has been allocated by Monday 9th September (see key dates).

The examination consists of two one-hour papers with all questions being multiple-choice [1]. Paper 1 tests verbal skills including reading comprehension, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning. Paper 2 tests non-verbal skills including non-verbal reasoning and maths.

There is no pre-defined pass mark for the examination. Children will instead be required to meet a required standard, which is a set position in the rank order of standardised scores. If two or more children achieve the same total score, their respective positions in the rank order will be determined by how close they live to the school (measured in a straight line from the school to the child's home).

All images © Stroud High School.
All images © Stroud High School.

Preparation Guidance

Families may want to help their child familiarise themselves with the test format using GL familiarisation booklets [1]. The school recommends that daughters complete the familiarisation materials to understand how to record answers on the answer sheet.

Building a good knowledge base before the 11 plus is important, using a 'little and often' approach when learning. For children aged 10–11, child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20–30 minutes. For free preparation resources, families should visit practice papers section.

Families whose child is in receipt of Pupil Premium funding can access free Entrance Test familiarisation and KS2 support through the Shaping Futures provision [1]. For professional tutoring support, families should explore tutoring options.

Practical Advice

Families should prepare for exam day by ensuring their daughter understands the multiple-choice format and has practised using separate answer sheets. Each test session takes around an hour, with students allocated a total of 45 minutes to complete the tests themselves [1].

Children will take the test at one of the seven grammar schools, although this might not be the school families are applying to. At the beginning of each session there is time built in for the sharing of instructions and, for the non-verbal reasoning element, some worked examples.

Passing the 11 plus doesn't guarantee that children will be allocated a place at their preferred school, as many grammar schools are often oversubscribed with qualified children. Families should consider backup school options in Gloucestershire and understand the appeals process available through their Local Authority.

For stress management, families should encourage regular practice without pressure and ensure children understand that the examination is just one pathway among many. Admission enquiries for all girls aged 11-16 years should be directed to the Admissions Officer, Mrs Lynn Poole, including in-year applications - see school information section for full contact details.

Gloucestershire 11+ Information

In order to get into Stroud High 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 Stroud High School. This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the academic potential and aptitude of prospective students across a range of subjects. The test is divided into two distinct papers, each lasting for one hour and featuring multiple-choice questions throughout.

Paper 1 focuses on assessing the candidate's verbal skills, which encompass reading comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, and verbal reasoning abilities. These components aim to gauge the student's understanding of written texts, their grasp of language and word meanings, as well as their capacity to analyze and interpret information logically.

Paper 2, on the other hand, concentrates on evaluating the student's non-verbal skills. This section includes non-verbal reasoning tasks and mathematical problems. Non-verbal reasoning assesses the candidate's ability to recognize patterns, solve problems using visual cues, and demonstrate logical thinking in abstract contexts. The maths component tests the student's numerical skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of fundamental mathematical concepts.

Other Schools using Gloucestershire 11+

As well as Stroud High 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 Stroud High 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 Stroud High School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Key Dates for the Stroud High School 11+ Entrance Tests

Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Stroud High School) as well as other relevant dates.

DateEventCalendar Link
19/05/2025Gloucestershire 11 Plus Registration Opens At Midday
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 Stroud High School as they may well change.

11+ Tutor for Stroud High 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 Stroud High School 11+ Tests

We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Stroud High 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 Stroud High School

Here are all available past 11+ papers for Stroud High 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 Stroud High School currently uses.

The exam board (or test supplier) that Stroud High 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 Stroud High 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 Stroud High 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 Stroud High 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 Stroud High School.

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

11+ Practice Papers for Stroud High 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 Stroud High School.

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

11+ Practice Papers for Stroud High 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 Stroud High 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 Stroud High School.

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

11+ Practice Papers for Stroud High 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 Stroud High 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 Stroud High 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 Stroud High 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 Stroud High 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 Stroud High 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 Stroud High 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 Stroud High School together with their admissions contact details.

Stroud High School is a girls-only grammar school.
Stroud High School is a girls-only grammar school.
Address
Stroud High School,
Beards Lane, Cainscross Road,
Stroud,
Gloucestershire
GL5 4HF
School Website
Telephone01453764441
Email Addressadmin@stroudhigh.gloucs.sch.uk
GenderGirls only
Total Year 7 Places150
Total Pupils (Girls/Boys)1067 (1039 Girls / 28 Boys)
Headteacher Mr Mark McShane

Stroud High School is a girls 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 1,067 pupils attend Stroud High School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Mark McShane.

Stroud High School Location

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

Ofsted Information

Stroud High School was last inspected by Ofsted on 07/11/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 17/12/2023, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Stroud High School obtained <strong>Outstanding</strong> in their last Ofsted inspection in 2023.
Stroud High School obtained Outstanding in their last Ofsted inspection in 2023.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Date InspectedInspection Duration (Days)Reporting DateRatingFull Report
07/11/2023117/12/2023OutstandingFull Report

Ofsted Report Summary

Stroud High School was inspected by Ofsted on 7 November 2023 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional performance in the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.

The inspection report highlights the school's outstanding quality of education, which is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the teaching staff. The school's approach to behaviour and attitudes was also deemed outstanding, creating a positive learning environment that fosters student growth and success. Additionally, the school's commitment to personal development was recognized as outstanding, ensuring that students receive well-rounded support and guidance.

The leadership and management at Stroud High School were found to be outstanding, with a clear vision and effective strategies in place to maintain and further improve the school's performance. The sixth form provision was also rated as outstanding, preparing students for their future academic and professional endeavors. Overall, Stroud High School has demonstrated exceptional standards across all areas, making it a top-performing educational institution.

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Stroud High School for the 2022-23 academic year.

GCSE Subjects Offered
  • Mathematics (158 pupils)
  • English Language (157 pupils)
  • English Literature (157 pupils)
  • Biology (92 pupils)
  • Chemistry (92 pupils)
  • Physics (92 pupils)
  • History (86 pupils)
  • Science: Double Award (65 pupils)
  • Geography (58 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (55 pupils)
  • Spanish (44 pupils)
  • French (43 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (30 pupils)
  • German (28 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Fine Art) (24 pupils)
  • Physical Education/Sports Studies (24 pupils)
  • Drama & Theatre Studies (23 pupils)
  • D&T Food Technology (22 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Photography) (20 pupils)
  • Design & Technology (19 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Graphics) (17 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Textiles) (16 pupils)
  • Computer Studies/Computing (14 pupils)
  • Music (7 pupils)
A-Level Subjects Offered
  • Biology (54 pupils)
  • Psychology (54 pupils)
  • Chemistry (34 pupils)
  • English Literature (33 pupils)
  • Mathematics (32 pupils)
  • Government and Politics (29 pupils)
  • History (24 pupils)
  • Sociology (19 pupils)
  • Geography (15 pupils)
  • Physics (10 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (9 pupils)
  • Economics (8 pupils)
  • Design and Technology (Product Design) (7 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (7 pupils)

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Stroud High 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 & Design (Fine Art)24-----134610
Art & Design (Textiles)16------3373
Art & Design (Graphics)17---121--310
Biology92----2819161928
Business Studies:Single55--11751313123
Chemistry921---1721142127
Computer Studies/Computing14---222341-
Design & Technology19------3286
English Language157-----1827534712
English Literature157----3815404744
D&T Food Technology22----223294
French431--23539911
Geography58-----56191810
German28---1358353
History86--116217122522
Mathematics158---141642284720
Music7--------16
Art & Design (Photography)20------13610
Physics92----2817171830
Religious Studies30---3128691
Spanish441---44711143
Drama & Theatre Studies23--1-23854-
Physical Education/Sports Studies24----233736
Science: Double Award652---------

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

SubjectTotal Pupils Grades Achieved
UEDCBAA*
Biology54-4101210107
Business Studies:Single9---243-
Chemistry34-258981
Design and Technology (Product Design)7----142
Economics8---1322
English Literature33--1213134
Geography15-111534
Government and Politics29-238772
History24--17115-
Mathematics32-1278122
Physics10--1324-
Psychology54-371215116
Religious Studies7---133-
Sociology19--25372

FAQ

Is Stroud High School hard to get into?

Yes, Stroud High 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 Stroud High School a private school?

No, Stroud High School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.

Is Stroud High School free?

Yes, Stroud High School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Stroud High School won't cost you any money.

How do I get my child into Stroud High School?

You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Stroud High 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 Stroud High School a girls-only school?

Yes, Stroud High School is a girls-only school.

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