Denmark Road High School 11 Plus Guide

At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Places per year: 150
Competition: Very High
Ofsted Rating: Good
Denmark Road High School
Denmark Road High School (DRHS) is a selective grammar school for girls aged 11 to 18, located in Gloucester, with a mixed sixth form open to both boys and girls. Renowned for its academic success, supportive pastoral care and diverse extracurricular activities, DRHS is consistently ranked among Gloucestershire’s top schools.
Established in 1883, the school has a proud history of achievement and a strong community ethos built around ambition, creativity, compassion and resilience. Pupils enjoy excellent teaching, modern facilities, and a wealth of opportunities in sport, music, drama and public speaking.
As part of the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Consortium, DRHS uses the same 11 Plus entrance test as the other selective schools in the county.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Denmark Road High School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Denmark Road High School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Denmark Road High School
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for Denmark Road High School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Denmark Road High School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Denmark Road High School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Denmark High School Key Information
Below, we list key information regarding Denmark Road High School, including direct contact details, parking information and relevant statistics for prospective students.
School Address
Full Address:
Denmark Road High School, Denmark RoadGloucester
GL1 3JN
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is parking available at Denmark Road High School. If parking is full, please find alternative venues listed below, all within a 20 minute walk.
- Hare Lane North, 76 Hare Lane, Gloucester GL1 2DF (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
- Great Western Road Parking, Great Western Road, Gloucester GL1 3NF (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
Denmark Road High School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Denmark Road High School was rated Good in all areas, including quality of education, behaviour, personal development, leadership, and sixth-form provision.
Academic strength: Pupils benefit from a challenging and well-structured curriculum that promotes deep thinking, rich vocabulary, and academic confidence across all subjects.
Teaching and curriculum: Lessons are engaging and ambitious. Teachers use effective assessment and subject knowledge to help pupils remember key concepts and build strong understanding.
Behaviour and culture: Pupils are courteous, hardworking, and inclusive. The school promotes wellbeing, diversity, and mutual respect through its supportive ethos and dedicated Wellbeing Centre.
Leadership and safeguarding: Led by Headteacher Claire Giblin, the school has strong leadership, effective safeguarding systems, and a clear focus on improving communication and support for all pupils, including those with SEND.
Denmark Road High School 11+ Format
Admission to Year 7 at Denmark Road High School is determined by performance in the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test, delivered by GL Assessment and shared across all grammar schools in the county.
Denmark Road High School 11+: Overview
The test includes two multiple-choice papers, each lasting around 45 to 50 minutes, taken on the same day with a short break between. Extra time is given at the start for instructions and practice examples.
Paper One
Verbal Reasoning: Tests logic, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.
Paper Two
Non-Verbal Reasoning: Assesses a pupil’s ability to solve visual problems and identify patterns.
The Gloucestershire Grammar Schools CEM 11+ - CEM 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Numerical Reasoning | Verbal Reasoning | Non-verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
There is no set pass mark. Pupils are ranked by their standardised scores, and places are offered based on Denmark Road High School’s admissions criteria.
Catchment Area
The admissions policy for Denmark Road High School and its enclosed Oversubscription Criteria, indicates the school does not operate on a catchment area. However, certain children are prioritised for living in Gloucester City. Further details to this are contained below.
Additional Eligibility
Denmark Road High School does not have a formal catchment area, but distance from the school may be used as a deciding factor if places are oversubscribed. Pupils typically need to score within the top 25% of applicants to be considered. When more pupils meet the standard than places available, offers are made in this priority order:
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Pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
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Looked-after or previously looked-after children meeting the qualifying standard
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Up to 15 Pupil Premium applicants living in Gloucestershire who meet the qualifying standard
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Up to 15 Pupil Premium applicants living outside Gloucestershire who meet the qualifying standard
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Children of staff employed by the school
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Applicants living in Gloucester who achieve the qualifying or priority standard
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Applicants with a sibling at the school who meet the qualifying standard
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All remaining applicants who achieve the qualifying standard, ranked by test score
For full details, see the Denmark Road High School Admissions Policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Denmark Road High School
Good preparation can make a real difference to your child’s confidence and exam results. Here are some effective ways to help them get ready:
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5. This allows plenty of time for steady progress without creating too much pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed exam papers together to build familiarity with the question style and develop exam technique.
Target Weak Areas
Keep track of their performance and focus extra time on any topics or question types they find more difficult.
Encourage Daily Reading
A regular reading habit helps expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and boost analytical thinking – all vital for the 11 Plus.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools can provide personalised practice and clear feedback to make study time more effective and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Keeping preparation steady, organised and encouraging will help your child feel confident and well-prepared when exam day arrives.
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We’re currently working on setting up a network of local test centres to offer in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely match the format used by Denmark Road High School. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity for your child to practise under real exam conditions, helping to build confidence and improve performance. Although this service isn’t available just yet, you can register your interest by completing the form below. We’ll get in touch as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
Denmark Road High School’s Key Dates and Application Information
Dates and deadlines which relate to entry to Denmark Road High School are vital to meet. 11 Plus Hero understands the necessity of this and is here to help. Listed below are key dates which prospective parents need to keep to to give their child the best chance of entry.
Test Registration Opens
Registration Deadline
Entrance Examination
Results Issued
Common Application Form Deadline
Offer Day
Denmark Road High School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Denmark Road High School, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the Denmark Road High School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyEntrance Test Entry Form
Register for the entrance exam through the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools' website. Registration usually opens in the spring and closes a few weeks before the test date in September.
Visit Council WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Denmark Road High School listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed, failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
Denmark Road High School FAQs
You’ll need to register your child for the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test and submit your local authority’s Common Application Form (CAF), listing Denmark Road High School as one of your preferences.
The exam includes two multiple-choice papers lasting about 45 to 50 minutes each, testing verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Both papers are taken on the same day with a short break between them.
Entry is selective and competitive. Pupils usually need to score within the top 25% of applicants to be considered for a place, with offers made based on ranked standardised scores and the school’s admissions criteria.
Denmark Road High School doesn’t have a fixed catchment area. However, distance from the school is considered when allocating places, with priority often given to applicants living in Gloucester (GL1–GL4 postcodes) if there are more qualified candidates than spaces.