Sir Thomas Rich's School
Gloucester, Gloucestershire · GL2 0LF
Sir Thomas Rich's is a state-funded boys' grammar school in Gloucester serving 1,268 pupils from age 11 to 18. The school emphasises academic rigour alongside a broad extracurricular offer and strong pastoral care through its house system. With a long history in the county (founded 1567) and selective entry, it provides a traditional grammar school experience tailored to able boys in the Forest of Dean and surrounding areas.
- →Selective entry and rigorous academic standards with strong GCSE and A-level outcomes
- →Extensive house system and pastoral support, including explicit inclusion focus for disadvantaged pupils
- →Broad extracurricular programme including music, sport, CCF, and competitive opportunities
- →Free/grammar school status removes independent school fees while maintaining academic selectivity
Who thrives here
Able boys who thrive in a competitive but supportive selective environment and who value traditional pastoral structures and extracurricular breadth. Pupils from selective primary schools or those with strong English and maths foundations will find the pace well-matched.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
Oakleaze
Gloucester, Gloucestershire
GL2 0LF
Nearest stations
Notable alumni
Edward Teach (Blackbeard)
Privateer and pirate
Peter Mayle
Author, A Year in Provence
Frequently asked questions
How much does Sir Thomas Rich's School cost?
Sir Thomas Rich's School is a state grammar school, so there are no tuition fees — places are free and allocated by the 11-plus exam and the school’s admissions criteria.
How do you get into Sir Thomas Rich's School?
Sir Thomas Rich's School admits pupils at 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by 11+ Selective Examination. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are Sir Thomas Rich's School's exam results?
At Sir Thomas Rich's School, 32.5% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 77% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is Sir Thomas Rich's School a boarding school?
Sir Thomas Rich's School is a day school in Gloucester and does not offer boarding.
What is Sir Thomas Rich's School's latest inspection rating?
Ofsted rated Sir Thomas Rich's School “Good” (2021).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Strong academic standards and rigorous teaching aligned to selective entry
✓Inclusive pastoral care and house system fostering sense of belonging
✓Broad extracurricular offer (music, sport, CCF, enrichment clubs) supporting all abilities
✓Committed support for disadvantaged pupils (Pupil Premium, SEND, LAC) despite selective entry
✓Clear communication via Parent Gateway and regular progress updates
Common concerns
!Single-sex environment not suited to all boys or parents seeking co-education
!Selective entry at 11 may disadvantage late developers or those from non-selective primaries
!Limited transparency on A-level and university destinations data online