The school does not operate a formal catchment area, but distance from the school may be considered if there are more qualified applicants than available places. In such cases, places are allocated based on the school’s published oversubscription criteria.
Stroud High School 11 Plus Guide
If you’re thinking about Stroud High School for your daughter, this 2026 admissions guide provides all the key information. It outlines how to apply, what to expect from the entrance exam, and offers practical tips to help your child feel confident and well-prepared.

At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Places per year: 150
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Introduction to
Stroud High School
Stroud High School is a selective grammar school for girls in Gloucestershire, known for its academic excellence and nurturing learning environment. The school combines high expectations with strong pastoral care, encouraging pupils to achieve both academically and personally.
Students are supported to develop confidence, independence and leadership skills, with impressive outcomes at GCSE and A level. The sixth form is co-educational, welcoming both boys and girls and offering a broad, inclusive community for post-16 study.
As part of the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Consortium, Stroud High uses the same 11 Plus entrance test format as other grammar schools in the area.
1
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Stroud High School
2
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Stroud High School
3
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Stroud High School
4
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
5
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for Stroud High School
6
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Stroud High School
7
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Stroud High School
8
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Stroud High School Key Information
Here, we enlist key information regarding Stroud High School including addresses and contact details, to be used by prospective students and their parents in the application and admission process.
School Address
Full Address:
Stroud High School, Beards Lane, Caincross RoadStroud
Gloucestershire
GL5 4HF
Contact Information
Admissions and Administration Officer
Mrs Lynn Poole
Email Address
admin@stroudhigh.gloucs.sch.uk
Telephone (Main Office)
01452 847111
Website Address
https://stroudhigh.gloucs.sch.uk
Parking in the school
There is no parking available at Stroud High School or on Beards Lane. Instead, visitors are directed to park at Stratford Park Car Park, a short walk from the school.
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)
Stroud High School Ofsted Report
The quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Sixth-form provision
Outstanding
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Outstanding across all areas, including the sixth form.
Academic strength: Pupils achieve exceptional outcomes through a challenging and well-sequenced curriculum that promotes deep understanding and independence.
Teaching and curriculum: Lessons are expertly taught, with teachers using strong subject knowledge and precise assessment to build pupils’ skills and confidence.
Behaviour and culture: Behaviour is exemplary, with a respectful, inclusive environment where pupils support one another and thrive personally and academically.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leadership is ambitious and collaborative, ensuring high-quality teaching, excellent staff development and effective safeguarding throughout the school.
Stroud High School 11+ Format
Admission to Year 7 at Stroud High School is determined by performance in the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools’ entrance test, which is administered by GL Assessment and shared across all grammar schools in the county.
Stroud High School 11+: Overview
The entrance test is made up of two multiple-choice papers that assess a range of skills. Each paper lasts approximately 45 to 50 minutes, and both are taken on the same day with a short break in between. Time is also provided before each paper to review instructions and sample questions.
Paper One
Verbal Reasoning: Tests vocabulary, comprehension and logical thinking.
Paper Two
Non-Verbal Reasoning and Mathematics: Focuses on numerical reasoning and the ability to recognise visual patterns and sequences.
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. Scores are standardised and ranked, with places offered based on the school’s published admissions criteria. Typically, pupils must achieve a score within the top 25% of entrants to be considered for a place.
Catchment Area
Stroud High School does not operate on a catchment area. However, as contained in the oversubscription criteria below, students with equal rank scores will be prioritised by distance from the school.
Additional Eligibility
Stroud High School does not operate a formal catchment area, though distance from the school may be used as a tie-breaker if there are more qualifying candidates than available places.
Places are allocated in the following 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.
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Students eligible for or previously in receipt of Pupil Premium or Service Pupil Premium during Year 11.
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Students currently attending Stroud High School.
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Applicants with the highest average GCSE points score across their best eight subjects graded 9–5.
For full details, refer to the official Stroud High School Admissions Policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Stroud High School
Starting preparation early can make a real difference to your daughter’s confidence and performance in the 11 Plus. Here are some effective ways to help her prepare:
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.
COMING SOON
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 Stroud 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.
Stroud High School’s Key Dates and Application Information
Dates for open evenings and deadlines for registration are vital to keep to in the application process for Stroud High School. For this reason, we have collated key dates and deadlines to be used by prospective students and their parents.
Test Registration Opens
Monday 19th May 2025
Date passed
Registration Deadline
Friday 27th June 2025
Date passed
Entrance Examination
Saturday 13th September 2025
Date passed
Results Issued
Mid October 2025
Date passed
Common Application Form Deadline
Friday 31st October 2025
Date passed
Offer Day
Monday 2nd March 2026
100 days to go
How to Apply
Stroud High School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Stroud High School, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.
1
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the Stroud High School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions Policy
2
Entrance Test Entry Form
Register for the entrance exam through the Gloucestershire county council website. Registration usually opens in spring and closes shortly before the September test date.
Visit Council Website
3
Common Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Stroud 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.
Stroud High School FAQs
To apply, parents must register their child for the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test through the Stroud High School website. Once registration is complete, you must also submit the Common Application Form (CAF) to your local authority by 31 October, listing Stroud High as one of your preferences. Both steps are essential for the application to be valid.
The entrance test consists of two multiple-choice papers set by GL Assessment. These assess verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning. Each paper lasts about 45 to 50 minutes and both are taken on the same day with a short break in between.
Admission is highly competitive. Pupils are ranked by their standardised test scores, and typically, only those who score within the top 25% of all candidates are considered for a place. The exact qualifying score can vary each year depending on results and demand.
Schools Nearby
7 schools found within 25 miles of Stroud
Stroud High School
Stroud High School, Beards Lane, Caincross Road, Stroud
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
0.6 Miles Away
View School
Marling School
Marling School, Cainscross Road, Stroud
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Boys Only
0.8 Miles Away
View School
The Crypt School
The Crypt School, Podsmead Road, Gloucester
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
6.6 Miles Away
View School
Ribston Hall High School
Ribston Hall High School, Stroud Road, Gloucester
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Sir Thomas Rich's School
Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Oakleaze, Gloucester
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Boys Only
8.8 Miles Away
View School