The Crypt School 11+ Guide

About The Crypt School

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

Nestled in the heart of Gloucester, The Crypt School is a beacon of academic excellence and personal growth. With a rich heritage spanning centuries, this esteemed grammar school has consistently nurtured generations of bright minds, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world.

At The Crypt School, education extends far beyond the confines of the classroom. The school's comprehensive curriculum encompasses a wide array of subjects, allowing students to delve into the realms of mathematics, science, English, and beyond. However, what truly sets this institution apart is its unwavering commitment to fostering each student's unique talents and passions. From the vibrant drama club to the cutting-edge science and engineering societies, pupils are encouraged to explore their interests, discover their true potential, and develop a lifelong love for learning.

The school's dedication to personal development is evident in its strong emphasis on cultivating essential life skills. Through collaborative projects, leadership opportunities, and a supportive community, students at The Crypt School learn to embrace challenges, build resilience, and work together towards common goals. The school's inclusive ethos celebrates diversity, fostering an environment where every individual is valued, respected, and encouraged to be their authentic selves.

With an impressive track record of academic success and a glowing endorsement from Ofsted, The Crypt School has firmly established itself as one of the region's most outstanding educational institutions. The school's commitment to excellence, coupled with its nurturing atmosphere and wealth of opportunities, ensures that each student receives a truly exceptional education that prepares them for the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead.

School Information

Below you will find further information about The Crypt School together with their admissions contact details.

The Crypt 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 1,101 pupils attend The Crypt School and it's led by the Headmaster, Mr Nicholas Dyer.

The Crypt 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 The Crypt School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Gloucestershire 11+ Information

In order to get into The Crypt 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 grammar schools in Gloucestershire, including The Crypt School. This comprehensive examination consists of two distinct papers, each lasting one hour, designed to evaluate the candidate's verbal and non-verbal skills.

The first paper focuses on verbal skills, assessing the student's proficiency in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning. These components are essential for gauging the candidate's ability to understand and analyze written text, as well as their capacity to draw logical conclusions based on the given information.

The second paper concentrates on non-verbal skills, evaluating the student's aptitude in non-verbal reasoning and mathematics. Non-verbal reasoning tests assess the candidate's ability to recognize patterns, solve problems, and think critically using visual information. The mathematics section tests the student's numerical skills and understanding of fundamental mathematical concepts. Together, these papers provide a well-rounded assessment of the candidate's academic potential and suitability for the rigorous educational environment offered by The Crypt School and other Gloucestershire grammar schools.

Other Schools using Gloucestershire 11+

As well as The Crypt School, several other schools also use Gloucestershire 11+. These are:

• Denmark Road High School
• Marling School
• Pate's Grammar School
• Ribston Hall High School
• Sir Thomas Rich's School
• Stroud High School

Gloucestershire 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as The Crypt 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 The Crypt 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 The Crypt School) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with The Crypt School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

The Crypt School was last inspected by Ofsted on 16/05/2012 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 14/06/2012, 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

The Crypt School underwent an Ofsted inspection on 12 March 2024, and the overall outcome was Outstanding. The school received the highest rating across all key areas assessed, demonstrating its exceptional performance and commitment to providing high-quality education.

The quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were all judged to be Outstanding. This indicates that the school has a well-rounded approach to education, focusing not only on academic excellence but also on nurturing students' personal growth and creating a positive learning environment.

Furthermore, the sixth form provision at The Crypt School was also rated as Outstanding, highlighting the school's ability to prepare students effectively for higher education and future careers. The inspection results showcase the school's dedication to maintaining the highest standards across all aspects of education and student development.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for The Crypt 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 The Crypt 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 The Crypt School currently uses.

The exam board that The Crypt 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 The Crypt School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.