Sir Thomas Rich’s 11 Plus
It might be difficult to find your way around the 11 Plus the first time as a parent. How do you aid your kid in getting ready for the Sir Thomas Rich’s 11 Plus? What kind of exam structure is it? What stores sell test papers? We’ve provided parents with a “Sir Thomas Rich’s 11 Plus Tips” in this article that seeks to address all of your concerns.
Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Gloucester
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School introduction
Sir Thomas Rich’s School is a grammar school for boys in Gloucester. Founded in 1666, the school today has a mixed Sixth Form and 1000 students aged 11 to 18. The school attracts students from a wide area around Gloucester, and there are dedicated buses bringing more distant students to school each morning.
Sir Thomas Rich’s School is an academy, meaning it has more control over its curriculum than most schools. The school specialises in languages and science. The school has a strong international focus, with partner schools in France, Spain, Germany, and Uganda. Regular exchanges are held with these schools.
The school moved to its present site from the centre of Gloucester in 1964. Recent additions to the facilities include an Economics, Entrepreneurship, Careers and Outreach Centre opened in 2020. The school has a dedicated Language Centre and Music Suite.
Sir Thomas Rich’s School has a range of sports clubs and teams, and unusually for modern schools allows pupils to take part in a structured games programme during the afternoons. The school has a sports hall, a gym, and a swimming pool, and a bowls club is attached to the school. On the music front, Sir Thomas Rich’s School boasts two choirs, an orchestra and a number of groups and ensembles. There is an active drama scene.
School performance
At GCSE in 2019, 47% of all grades awarded were at the top two grades of 8 or 9. 98% of students passed in English and mathematics.
The school’s Progress 8 score was 0.7, meaning that pupils achieve, on average, more than two thirds of a grade higher per subject in their GCSE examinations than other pupils with the same prior attainment.
At A-level in 2019, the pass rate at Sir Thomas Rich’s School was 99.5%, with 38% of entries receiving A or A*. 90% of grades were A* to C.
Sir Thomas Rich’s School has an Outstanding Ofsted rating.
In 2022, in GCSEs 8/9 grades at 66% (even including last year’s TAG results); and highest proportion in public examinations for grades 7-9 at 84%.
In 2022, A Levels the percentage of A* grades (at just under 24%), the percentage of A*/A (at 59%) and the percentage of A*-B (at over 85%) all reached the highest proportions we have ever achieved (excluding 2021 TAG results).
Admissions information
Sir Thomas Rich’s School intends to admit 150 boys to start Year 7 in 2024. To be eligible for admission pupils must pass an 11+ examination in September the year before entry. Registration for this exam is open in the summer, and is done through a form on the school website.
Applicants sit the 11+ exam in September, and parents will receive results in October. If their child passed they can name Sir Thomas Rich’s School on their Common Application Form and return it to their local authority by the October deadline.
Generally, more applicants pass the 11+ exam than there are places available. In this case places are given in order of 11+ scores; no priority is given based on where applicants live or whether they have siblings at the school.
Unsuccessful applicants who passed the 11+ Test are placed on a waiting list maintained by Gloucestershire County Council.
Boys and girls can apply to join Sir Thomas Rich’s School for Sixth Form. The application form, which is available on the school website, must be submitted by a deadline in February of the year of entry.
Sir Thomas Rich’s 11 Plus Admissions Timeline
The exact dates are yet to be confirmed.
Sir Thomas Rich’s 11 Plus Examination
Sir Thomas Rich’s School is part of a consortium of four grammar schools in Gloucester that use an 11+ exam known as the Grammar School Test.
The Grammar School Test uses the CEM 11+ exam, which involves maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. The exam consists of two papers, each lasting 45 to 50 minutes. Within each paper there may be several individually timed sections; candidates will be told how much time they have for each section before that section begins. All questions are multiple-choice. Test scores are standardised based on the applicant’s age.
Sir Thomas Rich 11 Plus Sample test papers
Additional information
- Location: Sir Thomas Rich’s School is located in Longlevens, on the eastern edge of Gloucester. The school is in a suburban environment, with easy access to the M5 motorway and within walking distance of Gloucester railway station. The school playing fields are adjacent to the school buildings.
- House system: Sir Thomas Rich’s School operates a system of four houses.
Frequently asked questions
Does Sir Thomas Rich’s School have a catchment area?
No. No priority is given to parents based on where they live, and the school has students from as far afield as Bristol and Swindon. Specially arranged buses bring students from these and other places.
My son is also applying to another grammar school in Gloucester. Does he have to sit the Grammar School Test twice?
No. Your son can sit the test once, and the score will be used in the admissions process of both schools. If you apply to a grammar school that is not part of the Gloucester consortium, however, your son will need to sit the 11+ exam for that school too.
Share your experience!
Visit our dedicated forum thread if you would like to learn more about Sir Thomas Rich’s School.
Has your child attended Sir Thomas Rich’s School, or are you in the process of applying? Share your experience on our forum!
You can also access further 11 plus exam resources below:
A Guide to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests
Best Private Schools in the UK: Top 100 in 2022
11+ Maths Exam: Helping Your Child to Prepare and Pass in 2021
Meet the 11+ Online Tutors Delivering Results
When Should you Start to Prepare Your Child for the 11 Plus Exam