At a Glance
Assessment: CEM 11 Plus
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Boys Only
Places per year: 150
Introduction
Sir Thomas Rich’s School is a selective boys’ school based in Gloucester. It boasts a commitment to creating a thriving and inclusive community for pupils. Inclusivity is at the heart of the school ensuring access for all in its curriculum by providing individual support to students. Further, the school has an adjoining bowls club, enjoyed by students, of the school, parents and the local community.
The school performs consistently high in GCSE examinations. In the 2019 year, 98% of all students at Sir Thomas Rich’s achieved at least a grade 5 in both English and Maths; this is equivalent to a high C under the previous GCSE marking criteria. This is consistent through 2017 and 2018, at 98% and 96%. Additionally, the school’s Progress 8 Score is marked at ‘well above average’, meaning children’s progression from KS2-KS4 is faster than the local and national average. Many of these students progress to the school’s Sixth Form, equally academic. A co-educational institution, the KS5 academy performs consistently high in A-Level examinations. The 2022 cohort achieved an outstanding set of results, with 85% of grades across the board at A*-B and 59% of all grades at A*-A.
Like all grammar schools in Gloucestershire, the application and admission process for Sir Thomas Rich’s School is highly competitive. The boys’ school selects students based on their outcome of 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 Sir Thomas Rich’s School.
Sir Thomas Rich’s School Key Information
In this section, we regularly update information for Sir Thomas Rich’s School for students and prospective parents.
School Address
Full Address:
Sir Thomas Rich’s School, OakleazeGloucester
Gloucestershire
Gl2 0LF
Contact Information
Parking in the school
- There is a limited amount of parking at Sir Thomas Rich’s School. It is recommended to park on adjoining roads or to use public transport.
Additional parking off site
- Tesco (Customers Only), 2-4 Old Cheltenham Road, Gloucester GL2 0AE (Opening Times: 06:00 – 22:00)
- Sainsburys (Customers Only), Barnett Way, Gloucester Gl4 3RT (Opening Times: Mon-Sat 07:00-22:00 & Sun 10:00-16:00)
Additional parking off site
- Tesco (Customers Only), 2-4 Old Cheltenham Road, Gloucester GL2 0AE (Opening Times: 06:00 – 22:00)
- Sainsburys (Customers Only), Barnett Way, Gloucester Gl4 3RT (Opening Times: Mon-Sat 07:00-22:00 & Sun 10:00-16:00)
Key Information for Sir Thomas Rich’s 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 (2021)
Selection Test
Sir Thomas Rich’s 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:
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 Sir Thomas Rich’s School
Below are several links containing information regarding Sir Thomas Rich’s School, the admission process and application process to all Gloucestershire grammar schools.
Sir Thomas Rich’s School 11+ Format
Sir Thomas Rich’s School selects students based on the outcome of the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test. This is a CEM 11+ test, common and compulsory to all the grammar schools in Gloucestershire. Th 11+ is issued, marked and governed 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 Sir Thomas Rich’s School.
Sir Thomas Rich’s 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 One
(A choice of) Verbal Reasoning (VR) Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) and Numerical Reasoning (NR)
Paper Two
(A choice of) Verbal Reasoning (VR) Non-verbal Reasoning (NVR) and Numerical Reasoning (NR)
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 Sir Thomas Rich’ 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 Sir Thomas Rich’ 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 Sir Thomas Rich’s Grammar School indicates that it does not operate on a catchment area. Only where two or more boys have an equal result, will their rank order of prioritisation for entry will be determined by the boy who lives closest to the school. Further detail is listed below.
Additional Eligibility
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, other qualifying boys in test rank order
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. In the event that it is not possible to distinguish a higher ranking on this basis, a process of random allocation will be followed by 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
Sir Thomas Rich’s School FAQs
Sir Thomas Rich’s 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.
The 11+ used by Sir Thomas Rich’s 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.
The school hosts familiarisation materials.
Schools Nearby
No schools found
You may need to adjust your search location, distance or filters to find more schools.