Marling School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Boys Only
Places per year: 150
Ofsted Rating: Good
Marling School
Marling School is a selective boys’ grammar school in Stroud, Gloucestershire, catering for students aged 11 to 18. Known for its strong academic record and commitment to student wellbeing, the school combines traditional values with a modern, forward-thinking approach.
Pupils are encouraged to achieve their full potential both academically and personally, developing creativity, leadership and teamwork skills through a wide range of extracurricular activities including sport, music, drama and clubs.
As a member of the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Consortium, Marling School uses the same 11 Plus entrance test as other grammar schools across the county.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Marling School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Marling School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Marling 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 Marling School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Marling School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Marling School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Marling School Key Information
Here, we list key information, useful to prospective students and their parents in deciding which school is right for them, and confidently and competently applying to it.
School Address
Full Address:
Marling School, Cainscross RoadStroud
Gloucestershire
Gl5 4HE
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is car parking at Marling School. However, it is possible for this to fill at busy times. In the event of this, please use alternative parking venues, listed below.
Additional parking off site
- Cainscross, Westward Road, Stroud GL5 4JW (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
- Cainscross St Matthews, Cainscross Street, Stroud GL5 4LH (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
Marling School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Marling School was rated Good in all areas, including education quality, behaviour, personal development, leadership, and sixth-form provision.
Academic strength: Pupils achieve excellent outcomes through an ambitious curriculum that encourages curiosity, independence, and academic confidence.
Teaching and curriculum: Lessons are well planned and adapted, helping all pupils, including those with SEND, make strong progress.
Behaviour and culture: Pupils are polite, motivated, and respectful. A wide range of clubs, trips, and enrichment activities foster confidence and teamwork.
Leadership and safeguarding: Led by Principal Jules Godfrey and the Cotswold Beacon Trust, the school maintains high standards, effective safeguarding, and clear communication with its community.
Marling School 11+ Format
Admission to Year 7 at Marling School is determined by performance in the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test, which is provided by GL Assessment and used by all grammar schools in the county.
Marling School 11+: Overview
The entrance test includes two multiple-choice papers, each lasting around 45 to 50 minutes and taken on the same day with a short break in between. Time is also given at the start of each paper for instructions and sample questions.
Paper One
Verbal Reasoning: Assesses logic, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills.
Paper Two
Non-Verbal Reasoning: Tests a pupil’s ability to recognise patterns and interpret visual information.
The Gloucestershire Grammar Schools CEM 11+ - CEM 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Numerical Reasoning | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
There isn’t a set pass mark for the Marling School 11 Plus. Instead, results are standardised and pupils are ranked by score. Usually, only those scoring within the top 25% of applicants are considered for entry.
Catchment Area
The admissions policy for Marling School and its enclosed Oversubscription Criteria, indicates the school does not operate on a catchment area. However, children who have attended a primary school within the Cotswold Beacon Academy, will be prioritised. Further, in the event of a tiebreak for the last available place, the child living closest to the school will be offered a place. Further detail is enclosed in the oversubscription criteria below.
Additional Eligibility
arling School does not have a formal catchment area, though distance from the school may be considered when places are oversubscribed. Generally, pupils need to achieve a score within the top 25% to be considered for entry. If more candidates qualify than there are places, offers are made using the following order of priority:
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Pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
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Looked-after or previously looked-after children
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Pupils eligible for Pupil Premium funding
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Other candidates who meet the qualifying standard in test rank order
If multiple candidates achieve the same score, priority is given first to those attending a Cotswold Beacon Academy Trust primary school, then by straight-line distance from home to the school.
For more details, see the Marling School Admissions Policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Marling 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 Marling 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.
Marling School Key Dates and Application Information
At 11 Plus Hero, we understand the application process to secondary school can be daunting, especially with exam preparation. For this reason, we have collated all the key deadlines for Marling School, to ensure you are kept up to date.
Test Registration Opens
Registration Deadline
Entrance Examination
Results Issued
Common Application Form Deadline
Offer Day
Marling School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Marling 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 Marling 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 Marling 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.
Marling 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 Marling School as one of your preferences.
The 11 Plus consists of two multiple-choice papers lasting around 45 to 50 minutes each. They test verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning, all taken on the same day.
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 according to Marling’s admissions criteria and rankings.
Marling School doesn’t have a set catchment area, but distance from the school can be used to decide places when there are more qualified applicants than available spaces.