Pate's Grammar School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
Places per year: 150
Competition: High
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Pate’s Grammar School
Pate’s Grammar School is a leading co-educational grammar school in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, welcoming boys and girls aged 11 to 18. Consistently ranked among the top grammar schools in England, Pate’s is known for its outstanding academic results, wide range of extracurricular opportunities, and commitment to student wellbeing.
Established in 1574, the school has a proud history of excellence and innovation. Pupils are encouraged to think creatively, show leadership, and get involved in music, sport, drama, and community service. With modern facilities and a supportive atmosphere, Pate’s upholds its core values of curiosity, courage and compassion.
As a member of the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Consortium, Pate’s Grammar School uses the same 11 Plus entrance test as other grammar schools in the area.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Pate’s Grammar School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Pate’s Grammar School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Pate’s Grammar 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 Pate’s Grammar School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Pate’s Grammar School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Pate’s Grammar School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Pate’s Grammar School Key Information
Below, we keep and regularly update key information relating to Pate’s Grammar School including addresses and contact details. Please make use of these in the application and admission process.
School Address
Full Address:
Pate’s Grammar School, Princess Elizabeth Way,Cheltenham
GL51 0HG
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is car parking at Pate’s Grammar School. However, it is possible for this to fill at busy times.
Additional parking off site
Should there be no onsite parking, please use alternative parking venues, listed below
- Coronation Square, 68 Edinburgh Place, Cheltenham GL51 7RG (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
- Cheltenham Spa Station, 78 Queens Road, Cheltenham GL51 8NP (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
Pate’s Grammar School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Pate’s Grammar School was rated Outstanding in all areas, including education quality, behaviour, personal development, leadership, and sixth-form provision.
Academic strength: Pupils achieve exceptional results through an ambitious curriculum and expert teaching guided by the Pate’s Learning Framework.
Teaching and curriculum: Lessons are well planned and adapted to pupils’ needs, helping all learners, including those with SEND, make excellent progress.
Behaviour and culture: Pupils are respectful, motivated, and inclusive. The strong house system and wide extracurricular offer build confidence and character.
Leadership and safeguarding: Led by Dr James Richardson, the school’s leadership ensures continued excellence, effective safeguarding, and outstanding staff development.
Pate’s Grammar School 11+ Format
Admission to Year 7 at Pate’s Grammar 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.
Pate’s Grammar School 11+: Overview
The entrance exam includes two multiple-choice papers covering verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Each paper lasts around 45 to 50 minutes and both are taken on the same day, with a short break in between. Extra time is given at the start of each paper for instructions and practice questions.
Paper One
Verbal Reasoning: Assesses language skills, logic, and reading comprehension
Paper Two
Non-Verbal Reasoning: Tests a pupil’s ability to recognise patterns and solve visual problems.
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 fixed pass mark for the Pate’s Grammar School 11 Plus. Instead, pupils are ranked by their standardised scores, and places are offered according to the school’s admissions criteria.
Catchment Area
The admissions policy for Pate’s Grammar School and its enclosed Oversubscription Criteria, indicates the school does not operate on a catchment area. However, 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
Pate’s Grammar School does not have a defined catchment area, though distance may be considered when allocating places. Typically, pupils need to score within the top 25% of applicants to be considered. If more pupils qualify than there are available places, the school’s oversubscription criteria are applied.
Priority is given in the following order:
-
Pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
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Looked-after or previously looked-after children, including those adopted from abroad
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Priority Places (based on postcode and Pupil Premium eligibility)
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Non-Priority Local Places
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Non-Priority UK-wide Places
For full details, see the Pate’s Grammar School Admissions Policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Pate’s Grammar 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 Pate’s Grammar 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.
Pate’s Grammar School Key Dates and Application Information
Under this section, we outline key deadlines in regard to the application and admissions process of the school, to ensure prospective students and parents are up to date.
Test Registration Opens
Registration Deadline
Entrance Examination
Results Issued
Common Application Form Deadline
Offer Day
Pate’s Grammar School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Pate’s Grammar 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 Pate’s Grammar 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 Pate’s Grammar 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.
Pate’s Grammar School FAQs
Register your child for the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test through the school’s website, then apply via your local authority’s secondary school admissions process by the stated deadline.
The 11 Plus consists of two multiple-choice papers testing verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Each paper lasts about 45 to 50 minutes and both are taken on the same day.
Entry is highly competitive. Pupils typically need to score within the top 25% of applicants to be considered for a place, with offers based on ranked standardised scores and the school’s admissions criteria.
Pate’s Grammar School does not have a set catchment area, though distance from the school may be considered if places are oversubscribed and priority criteria need to be applied.