At a Glance
Assessment: CEM 11 Plus
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
Places per year: 150
Competition: High
Introduction
Pate’s Grammar School is a co-educational, selective academy based in Cheltenham. The school provides for a stimulating academic environment, while carrying alongside it a strong and broad co-curricular, allowing students to pursue multiple different avenues such as music, art and sport. At it centre, academia is the focus, with consistently high GCSE and A-Level results.
To elaborate, in the 2019 academic year, 99% of the GCSE students at Pate’s achieved at least a grade 5 (equivalent to a high C under the previous GCSE marking criteria) in English and Maths. Further, the school has a well above average progress 8 score, meaning the children’s progression from KS2 to KS4 is very good and a lot faster than the national average. Many of Pate’s GCSE students choose to stay at the school’s equally academic Sixth Form upon completing their examinations. The KS5 institution offers a breadth of subjects, with an outstanding examination output. In the 2019 year, 95.6% of grades across the board were A*-B, with 76.6% of all grades A*-A.
The grades speak for themselves and admission to Pate’s Grammar School is highly competitive, alike to all the grammar schools under the Gloucestershire Council. Pate’s select students based on their performance in the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test. This Entrance Test is a 11+, issued, governed and marked by the CEM exam board. It assesses a student’s competency in Numerical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Non-verbal Reasoning. The 11+ is designed to push candidates beyond their Key Stage 2 education. Our resources with 11 Plus Hero help prepare your child for this CEM 11+, providing them with a toolkit to have the best chance to succeed. We also provide information to help guide yourself and your child through the admissions process, so that you and your child can confidently and competently apply to Pate’s Grammar School.
Pate’s Grammar School Key Information
Below, we keep and regularly update key information relating to Pate’s Grammar School including addresses and contact details. Please make use of these in the application and admission process.
School Address
Full Address:
Pate’s Grammar School, Princess Elizabeth Way,Cheltenham
GL51 0HG
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is car parking at Pate’s Grammar School. However, it is possible for this to fill at busy times.
Additional parking off site
Should there be no onsite parking, please use alternative parking venues, listed below
- Coronation Square, 68 Edinburgh Place, Cheltenham GL51 7RG (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
- Cheltenham Spa Station, 78 Queens Road, Cheltenham GL51 8NP (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
Additional parking off site
Should there be no onsite parking, please use alternative parking venues, listed below
- Coronation Square, 68 Edinburgh Place, Cheltenham GL51 7RG (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
- Cheltenham Spa Station, 78 Queens Road, Cheltenham GL51 8NP (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
Key Information for Pate’s Grammar School
PAN* for Year 7 intake (2023)
Total Student Capacity Years 7 to 13 (2022)
Total Students Years 7 to 13 (2022)
Percentage Capacity (2022)
Latest Ofsted Rating (2013)
Selection Test (In Depth Discussion Below - Link)
Pate’s Grammar School Key Dates and Application Information
Under this section, we outline key deadlines in regard to the application and admissions process of the school, to ensure prospective students and parents are up to date.
Registration opens for the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (CEM 11+)
Registration for the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test (CEM 11+) Closing Date
Open Day
Virtual Open Tour for Pate’s Grammar School
Test Centre Arrangements sent out to parents (test process and information i.e. what to bring, etc.)
Entrance Examination Date
Results Date
Common Application Form Deadline (school preferences must be finalised by this date)
School Offer
Application Documents for Pate’s Grammar School
Here, we list several links containing specific information for the application and admissions process to Pate’s Grammar School. Please use these for further information into the process.
Pate’s Grammar School Admissions Policy 2023
View PDFInformation for the Gloucestershire CEM 11+ Test
View PDFPate’s Grammar School application process & dates
View PDFRegister for the 11+ online on Pate's Grammar School website
View PDFApply for your chosen school using the Common Application Form
View PDFPate’s Grammar School 11+ Format
The co-educational school selects students based on their performance in the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test. This is a, 11+, governed and marked by the CEM exam board. It is a multiple choice assessment, testing a candidate’s competence in Numerical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal reasoning. The Verbal Reasoning section of the assessment may contain reading comprehension similar to other 11+ English sections, but there is no dedicated English section. The exam is administered and marked by the CEM exam board, scores are age-standardised to produce a final score, the number of correct answers vary according to a child’s age. The content of the assessment tests beyond what is taught at primary education level; the test is designed to push candidates with the question difficulty and formatting. The unfamiliar format of the test and its difficulty can seem daunting; the 11 Plus Hero is here to help. We understand and are accustomed to the content of the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test and the CEM exam board. We can provide a toolkit to your child, familiarising them with the test format and ensuring they have the best chance to succeed in their admission to Pate’s Grammar School.
Pate’s Grammar School 11+: Overview
The Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test consists of two papers, each lasting around 50 minutes. They are both multiple choice and are each made up of 3 key components to it: Verbal Reasoning, Non-verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning. Answers are completed, multiple choice style, on separate answer sheets. The test is issued, marked and governed by the CEM exam board. For an in depth breakdown of this 11+, please visit our article – ‘Selective Tests in Gloucestershire – the CEM 11+ Test’.
Paper 1:
A mix of either: Numerical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning or Non-verbal Reasoning questions.
Paper 2:
A mix of either Numerical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning or Non-verbal Reasoning questions.
The Gloucestershire Grammar Schools CEM 11+ - CEM 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Numerical Reasoning | Verbal Reasoning | Non-verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XX | ✔✔ | ✔✔ | ✔✔ | n/an/a |
Pass Mark
Test scores are received in mid-October of the preceding year of entry; for example for entry in 2023, test scores will be received by mid-October 2022. It is notable that the CEM exam board uses a method of standardised marking, meaning that younger children are not penalised for their age, the results are statistically standardised to compare any child’s score average to the average score of their school year. In the school’s admission policy, they do not indicate a specific figure which is a ‘pass mark’. Instead, the standardised scores achieved by the children will be ranked, and an ‘Qualifying Standard’ will be established, based on the quality of all the candidates’ scores that year – the Qualifying Standard is subject to change. If a child achieves the ’Qualifying Standard’, it means they can be considered for entry to the school; parents will be informed as to whether a child has achieved the Qualifying Standard when results are received in October of the preceding year of entry. Notably, a mere achievement of the Qualifying Standard does not guarantee a child an offer to Pate’s Grammar School; this is clearly outlined in the school’s admissions policy. In the school’s admission policy, they estimate that the “Qualifying Group” of students will be the highest ranking 250 students. For more information please see our article ‘Selective Tests in Gloucestershire – CEM 11 Plus”
Pass Mark
Test scores are received in mid-October of the preceding year of entry; for example for entry in 2023, test scores will be received by mid-October 2022. It is notable that the CEM exam board uses a method of standardised marking, meaning that younger children are not penalised for their age, the results are statistically standardised to compare any child’s score average to the average score of their school year. In the school’s admission policy, they do not indicate a specific figure which is a ‘pass mark’. Instead, the standardised scores achieved by the children will be ranked, and an ‘Qualifying Standard’ will be established, based on the quality of all the candidates’ scores that year – the Qualifying Standard is subject to change. If a child achieves the ’Qualifying Standard’, it means they can be considered for entry to the school; parents will be informed as to whether a child has achieved the Qualifying Standard when results are received in October of the preceding year of entry. Notably, a mere achievement of the Qualifying Standard does not guarantee a child an offer to Pate’s Grammar School; this is clearly outlined in the school’s admissions policy. In the school’s admission policy, they estimate that the “Qualifying Group” of students will be the highest ranking 250 students. For more information please see our article ‘Selective Tests in Gloucestershire – CEM 11 Plus”
Catchment Area
The admissions policy for Pate’s Grammar School and its enclosed Oversubscription Criteria, indicates the school does not operate on a catchment area. However, in the event of a tiebreak for the last available place, the child living closest to the school will be offered a place. Further detail is enclosed in the oversubscription criteria below.
Additional Eligibility
Oversubscription Criteria:
As outlined above, only students who meet the Qualifying Standard will be considered for entry. This is not a predetermined score, and is established every year having regard to all of the standardised scores achieved by the candidates. Notably,
The school is popular and children reaching the Qualifying Standard are not always admitted. In selecting students to make school offers to, the school prioritises children in the oversubscription criteria listed below:
- Any Looked After or Previously Looked After Child, who has met the qualifying standard;
- Next, any candidate attracting the Pupil Premium, or has been registered for Free School Meals at any point in the last 6 years;
- Last, children who meet the qualifying standard, until 150 places are filled.
Tie Break:
Where two or more children achieve the same total score, their respective positions in the rank order will be determined by closeness to the school.
Please note, the admissions policy and its criteria is long and complex. To understand the policy in further detail, the category your child falls into or clarify peculiarities of your application or situation, please visit the policy via https://www.patesgs.org/pgsuploads/Admissions-Policy-2023.pdf
Pate’s Grammar School FAQs
- Pate’s Grammar School requires students to reach a certain ‘Qualifying Standard’ in order to qualify them for admission to the school; it is the minimum requirement for admission. This figure is subject to change every year and cannot be predicted. Pate’s Grammar School expects the top 250 students will achieve the Qualifying Standard, but this does not mean they will get a school offer.
- For more details see section ‘Pass Mark and catchment area’. LINK
- The 11+ used by Pate’s Grammar School is issued and governed by the CEM exam board. This CEM 11 Plus tests a child’s competence in Numerical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Non-verbal Reasoning.
- For more details see ‘Section 4: Gloucestershire Grammar Schools 11+ Format’ LINK
- The school hosts familiarisation materials
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