Ribston Hall High School 11+ Guide

A detailed look at Ribston Hall High School including past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers.

About Ribston Hall High School

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

Nestled in the heart of Gloucester, Ribston Hall High School is a beacon of academic excellence for girls aged 11 to 18. With a rich history spanning over a century, this selective grammar school has consistently nurtured generations of bright, ambitious young women. The school's unwavering commitment to fostering effective and independent learners is evident in its dynamic curriculum, which encourages students to embrace challenges, cultivate resilience, and explore their boundless curiosity.

All images © Ribston Hall High School.
All images © Ribston Hall High School.

At Ribston Hall, education extends far beyond the classroom walls. The school recognizes the importance of developing well-rounded individuals by offering a wide array of extra-curricular activities. From the exhilaration of rugby and hockey to the creative outlets of writing club and choir, students have ample opportunities to discover and nurture their passions. These lunchtime activities serve as a testament to the school's dedication to providing a holistic educational experience.

All images © Ribston Hall High School.
All images © Ribston Hall High School.

The school's ethos is firmly rooted in the belief that every child is unique, possessing untapped potential waiting to be unleashed. Ribston Hall embraces individuality and provides unwavering support to each student, ensuring their well-being remains at the forefront of their educational journey. This personalized approach has yielded remarkable results, with pupils consistently achieving outstanding outcomes in public examinations. The school's commitment to academic excellence is further exemplified by its state-of-the-art STEM building, the Rosalind Franklin Science Centre, which boasts cutting-edge laboratories and prep rooms, empowering students to explore the frontiers of science and technology.

All images © Ribston Hall High School.
All images © Ribston Hall High School.

Ribston Hall High School stands as a testament to the transformative power of education. By nurturing the minds and hearts of its students, the school continues to produce confident, compassionate, and accomplished young women ready to make their mark on the world. With its rich history, innovative approach to learning, and unwavering dedication to student success, Ribston Hall High School is undeniably a gem in the realm of grammar school education.

Ribston Hall High School is a girls-only grammar school.
Ribston Hall High School is a girls-only grammar school.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Ribston Hall High School together with their admissions contact details.

Address
Ribston Hall High School,
Stroud Road,
Gloucester,
Gloucestershire
GL1 5LE
School Website
Telephone 01452382249
Email Address rhhs@ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk
Gender Girls only
Total Year 7 Places 150
Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) 878 (869 Girls / 9 Boys)
Headteacher Mr Alec Waters

Ribston Hall 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 878 pupils attend Ribston Hall High School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Alec Waters.

Ribston Hall High 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 Ribston Hall High School for the 2022-23 academic year.

GCSE Subjects Offered
  • English Language (124 pupils)
  • Mathematics (122 pupils)
  • English Literature (122 pupils)
  • Biology (101 pupils)
  • Chemistry (101 pupils)
  • Physics (99 pupils)
  • History (95 pupils)
  • Geography (50 pupils)
  • D&T Food Technology (39 pupils)
  • Spanish (33 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (31 pupils)
  • French (30 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Fine Art) (26 pupils)
  • Drama & Theatre Studies (23 pupils)
  • Science: Double Award (21 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Textiles) (19 pupils)
  • Computer Studies/Computing (15 pupils)
  • Music (10 pupils)
  • Physical Education/Sports Studies (9 pupils)
  • Dance (8 pupils)
A-Level Subjects Offered
  • Psychology (44 pupils)
  • Sociology (37 pupils)
  • Biology (31 pupils)
  • Chemistry (24 pupils)
  • English Literature (23 pupils)
  • History (19 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (15 pupils)
  • Mathematics (14 pupils)
  • Government and Politics (13 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (8 pupils)
  • Physical Education / Sports Studies (6 pupils)
  • Physics (6 pupils)

Gloucestershire 11+ Information

In order to get into Ribston Hall 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 Ribston Hall High School. This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the academic potential of prospective students across a range of key skills and subjects.

The test is divided into two distinct papers, each lasting one hour. Paper 1 focuses on assessing verbal abilities, including reading comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, and verbal reasoning skills. Paper 2, on the other hand, concentrates on non-verbal skills, testing students' proficiency in non-verbal reasoning and mathematics.

Throughout both papers, students are presented with multiple-choice questions, allowing for an objective evaluation of their abilities. The Gloucestershire Grammar Schools' Entrance Test aims to identify students with the aptitude and potential to thrive in the academically challenging environment offered by Ribston Hall High School.

Other Schools using Gloucestershire 11+

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

Gloucestershire 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

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

Date Event Calendar Link
20/05/2024 Gloucestershire 11 Plus Registration Opens At Midday
28/06/2024 Gloucestershire 11 Plus Registration Closes At Midday
09/09/2024 Parents Receive Test Centre Arrangements By This Date
14/09/2024 Gloucestershire Grammar Schools' Entrance Test
Mid October Parents Receive 11 Plus Results
31/10/2024 Secondary School Applications Close At 5pm
03/03/2025 Secondary 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 Ribston Hall High School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Ribston Hall High School was last inspected by Ofsted on 13/06/2012 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 04/07/2012, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Ribston Hall High School obtained <strong>Good</strong> in their last Ofsted inspection in 2012.
Ribston Hall High School obtained Good in their last Ofsted inspection in 2012.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Date Inspected Inspection Duration (Days) Reporting Date Rating Full Report
13/06/2012 1 04/07/2012 Good Full Report

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Ribston Hall 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)

Subject Total Pupils Grades Achieved
U 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Art & Design (Fine Art) 26 - - - 2 3 4 3 6 5 3
Art & Design (Textiles) 19 - - - - - 1 7 3 3 5
Biology 101 2 - - 2 8 31 26 14 9 9
Chemistry 101 - - - 5 13 22 21 16 15 9
Computer Studies/Computing 15 - - 2 1 2 3 3 - 2 1
Dance 8 - - - - 1 1 2 2 2 -
English Language 124 - - - 2 4 18 45 31 16 7
English Literature 122 - 2 - 2 5 24 34 30 19 6
D&T Food Technology 39 - - 1 1 - - 7 5 13 11
French 30 1 - - 2 4 3 3 9 3 5
Geography 50 - - 2 1 5 9 9 9 13 2
History 95 1 1 1 7 6 15 27 23 8 6
Mathematics 122 - - - 2 10 41 31 24 11 3
Music 10 - - 1 1 - 1 - 3 - 4
Physics 99 1 - - - 24 33 18 7 11 5
Religious Studies 31 - - 2 2 2 1 9 9 5 1
Spanish 33 - - - - 8 5 8 2 8 2
Drama & Theatre Studies 23 - - - - 1 5 9 5 1 2
Physical Education/Sports Studies 9 - - 1 - 1 2 2 2 1 -
Science: Double Award 21 - - - - - - - - - -

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Subject Total Pupils Grades Achieved
U E D C B A A*
Biology 31 - 2 7 7 6 3 5
Business Studies:Single 15 - - - 4 6 3 1
Chemistry 24 - 3 8 2 6 5 -
English Literature 23 - 2 2 4 13 2 -
Government and Politics 13 - - 2 4 6 1 -
History 19 - - 2 5 8 2 2
Mathematics 14 - 1 4 4 2 3 -
Physical Education / Sports Studies 6 - - 1 2 3 - -
Physics 6 - 4 1 - - - -
Psychology 44 - 2 3 17 12 7 3
Religious Studies 8 - 1 2 2 2 - -
Sociology 37 - - 2 3 13 16 2

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

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

The exam board that Ribston Hall High School chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

Exam Board Subject 11+ Past Paper
CEMMixed

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

GL Assessment

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. They remain useful and we would encourage parents to download and use them with their children.

Exam Board Subject Answer Sheet Question Booklet Marking Scheme (Answers)
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

CGP

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. They are up to date and extremely useful.

Exam Board Subject Answer Sheet Question Booklet Marking Scheme (Answers)
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. Grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these tests remain useful.

Exam Board Subject Answer Sheet Question Booklet Marking Scheme (Answers)
CEMMaths
CEMVerbal Reasoning
CEMNon-Verbal Reasoning

FAQ

Is Ribston Hall High School hard to get into?

Yes, Ribston Hall 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 Ribston Hall High School a private school?

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

Is Ribston Hall High School free?

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

How do I get my child into Ribston Hall High School?

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

Yes, Ribston Hall High School is a girls-only school.

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