Pate's Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Pate's Grammar School

Pate's Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Gloucestershire. For children to get into Pate's Grammar School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Pate's Grammar School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the picturesque Cotswolds, Pate's Grammar School is a beacon of academic excellence and holistic development for students aged 11 to 18. This co-educational institution has garnered an impressive reputation, consistently earning the coveted "Outstanding" rating from Ofsted and securing the esteemed title of "The Southwest Secondary School of the Year" by the Sunday Times on multiple occasions.

At Pate's Grammar School, students embark on a transformative educational journey that adheres to the national curriculum while offering a rich and stimulating syllabus. The school's dedicated faculty ensures that pupils receive a solid foundation in core subjects such as mathematics, English, and science, while also providing opportunities to explore a diverse range of languages, including Mandarin, German, and French. This comprehensive approach to learning equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel academically and beyond.

Beyond the classroom, Pate's Grammar School places great emphasis on nurturing students' creative and athletic talents. The school boasts an unparalleled co-curricular programme among state schools, offering a wide array of extracurricular activities that cater to various interests. From climbing and shooting to environmental conservation, British Sign Language, and Christian Union clubs, students have ample opportunities to pursue their passions and develop new skills. The school's commitment to extracurricular enrichment is further demonstrated by the weekly Tuesday afternoon sessions dedicated solely to these activities.

While academic achievement is highly valued, Pate's Grammar School recognizes the importance of fostering a caring and respectful community. The school's ethos is built upon core values such as empathy, mutual respect, and collaboration, creating an environment where students feel supported, understood, and encouraged to reach their full potential. This positive and inclusive atmosphere, combined with exceptional teaching, results in students making remarkable progress and achieving outstanding exam results, propelling them towards prestigious universities both locally and internationally.

Furthermore, Pate's Grammar School demonstrates a strong commitment to social mobility through its "Shaping Futures" initiative. This programme aims to broaden horizons, raise ambitions, and equip each child with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed. By providing equal opportunities and support, the school ensures that every student, regardless of their background, has the chance to thrive and make a positive impact on society.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Pate's Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

Pate's Grammar School is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) 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 1,243 pupils attend Pate's Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Dr James Richardson.

Pate's Grammar School Location

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

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

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

Gloucestershire 11+ Information

In order to get into Pate's Grammar 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 Pate's Grammar School. This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the academic potential and aptitude of prospective students across a range of subjects.

The entrance test is divided into two distinct papers, each lasting for one hour. Paper 1 focuses on assessing the candidate's verbal skills, encompassing reading comprehension, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning. These components aim to gauge the student's ability to understand and analyze written texts, as well as their proficiency in language and logical thinking.

Paper 2, on the other hand, concentrates on evaluating the candidate's non-verbal skills. This section includes non-verbal reasoning and mathematics, which test the student's capacity for problem-solving, pattern recognition, and numerical aptitude. The questions in both papers are presented in a multiple-choice format, allowing for objective and standardized assessment.

Other Schools using Gloucestershire 11+

As well as Pate's Grammar School, several other schools also use Gloucestershire 11+. These are:

• Denmark Road High School
• Marling School
• Ribston Hall High School
• Sir Thomas Rich's School
• Stroud High School
• The Crypt School

Gloucestershire 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Pate's Grammar 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.

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).

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 Pate's Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Ofsted Information

Pate's Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 25/04/2013 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 17/05/2013, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

Pate's Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 17/05/2013 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional quality of education, with students consistently achieving high academic standards. The behaviour and attitudes of students were also deemed Outstanding, reflecting a positive learning environment and a strong sense of community within the school.

The personal development of students at Pate's Grammar School was found to be Outstanding, with a wide range of opportunities for students to develop their skills, interests, and character. The school's leadership and management were also rated Outstanding, with clear vision, effective strategies, and strong support for staff and students.

The sixth form provision at Pate's Grammar School was equally impressive, receiving an Outstanding rating. Students in the sixth form benefit from high-quality teaching, a wide range of subject options, and excellent support and guidance, preparing them well for their future education and careers.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Pate's Grammar 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)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are all available past 11+ papers for Pate's Grammar School. Please note that this may include past 11+ 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 Pate's Grammar School currently uses.

The exam board that Pate's Grammar School chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

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 Pate's Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.