We have five tutor groups in each year, which are of mixed ability with a class size of 30. Students are taught in tutor groups in year 7 and 8. As our students progress through the school and choose their options, the class sizes are smaller.

As an academically selective grammar school, prospective students are required to sit the Gloucestershire Grammar School Admission Test. Sitting the test and achieving the qualifying standard is not a guarantee of a place, an offer will depend on a number of factors.

If your child meets the qualifying standard, you will be informed and can apply for a place at Ribston by completing the Local Authority’s Common Application Form (CAF). The deadline for this is usually 31st October.

March 1st is National Allocation Day for schools. You will receive notification from your local County Council admissions department to confirm whether you have been offered a place at Ribston. Our current cohort for Year 7 is 150 places.

Grammar school test arrangements

In April 2026, we shared a press release along with the 6 other Gloucestershire Grammar Schools about changes to the admission process for students starting school in 2028. These arrangements will take effect from summer 2027 for first entry into Year 7 (September 2028). You can find out more about the test arrangements for your child on the following webpages:

• 2027 Admissions
• 2028 Admissions

Shaping Futures programme

At Ribston, we want every child in our local area to have a fair chance to join our school and feel part of our community. We are part of the 'Shaping Futures' initiative which was set up by Pate's Grammar School and is a partnership project with the other grammar schools in Gloucestershire. 

Our aim is to encourage equal opportunity regardless of a child's background and by widening access to grammar school for Pupil Premium and Pupil Premium Plus children. We do this by identifying and removing barriers there may for local families and providing support and resources that they can easily access. 

You can find out more on our Shaping Futures page.

We welcome students from Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, Tewkesbury, the Forest of Dean, the Cotswolds, Swindon and beyond. Our ambitious and aspirational community provides the perfect balance of challenge, support and opportunity, enabling every student to thrive and achieve their full potential.

Whether you are considering the benefits of staying at school for Sixth Form or comparing a Sixth Form versus a college pathway, our Sixth Form offers a distinctive experience built around four key pillars: Academic Excellence, Belonging, Aspirations and Opportunities.

These pillars are brought together through the Ribston Baccalaureate, our unique framework for recognising achievement both inside and beyond the classroom. Through this programme, students develop not only outstanding academic credentials but also the skills, experiences and character needed to succeed at university, in apprenticeships and throughout their future careers.

You can find out more about admissions to our Sixth Form on our Sixth Form page.

Years 7 to 11

All our year groups are currently full and oversubscribed. If you would like to express interest in your daughter joining our school as an in-year admission, please complete our Register an interest form.

We will contact you if a space becomes available in your daughter’s current academic year and invite her to sit the Grammar School In Year Admissions test.  Students must meet the qualifying standard to be considered for a place at Ribston.

Places will be offered to suitable applicants in accordance with our over-subscription criteria, provided:

1. There is space available in that year group.
2. The applicant has achieved an appropriate level using the Cognitive Ability Test (CAT) scores, i.e., a minimum mean score for Ribston Hall High School is 110.

Due to the high volume of enquiries we receive daily, testing will not be carried out until a space becomes available. We do not expect any preparation to be made for this test, given it is an assessment of your child’s current academic level. However, at the time of your application, please do prepare your daughter as the request to sit the test may come at short notice. 

You can apply for a place for your child at any point within the academic year and your child will remain on the waiting list until July of that academic year, should a place not become available. The waiting list is fluid, with your child potentially moving up and down, dependent on the oversubscription criteria met by other applicants also on the list, even once CAT scores are received. 

Please see our Admissions Policy for more information. 

Sixth Form in-year admissions

For Sixth Form admissions, please visit our Sixth Form page.

Join us for one of our Open Events – 15th October 2026

We are pleased to offer families three open events this year. These events are for current Year 6 students, as well as prospective Year 5 students who are at the start of their grammar school journey. For security reasons, you must register to attend these events. Please only book one open event per family. If you have any questions about our open events, please don't hesitate to contact us by emailing rhhs@ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk.

• Open Morning, 15th October 2026, 9am to 11:30am - Our Open Morning will include a talk from our Headteacher, who will also share some information about the new Grammar Schools Test for 2027. Following the talk, you will be able to participate in a student-guided tour to see what it's like during a normal school day here at Ribston. Our Senior Leadership Team and Admissions Team will be available to answer any questions you may have after the tours. Refreshments will be provided. Doors will open at 9am for a prompt start at 9:30am. Book Now: Ribston Hall High School Open Morning. Thursday 15th October 2026, 9am to 11:30am
• Open Evening, 15th October 2026, 4:30pm to 7pm - Our Open Evening will include a talk from our Headteacher, who will also share some information about the new Grammar Schools Test for 2027. Following the talk, you will be able to participate in a student-guided tour to explore our school and speak to our staff team and students in our curriculum areas. Our Senior Leadership Team and Admissions Team will be available to answer any questions you may have. Doors will open at 4:30pm. We will serve refreshments from 4:30pm for a prompt 5pm start. Book Now: Ribston Hall High School Open Evening. Thursday 15th October 2026, 4:30pm to 7pm
• Open Evening, 15th October 2026, 5:30pm to 8pm - Our Open Evening will include a talk from our Headteacher, who will also share some information about the new Grammar Schools Test for 2027. Following the talk, you will be able to participate in a student-guided tour to explore our school and speak to our staff team and students in our curriculum areas. Our Senior Leadership Team and Admissions Team will be available to answer any questions you may have. Doors will open at 5:30pm. We will serve refreshments at 5:30pm for a prompt start at 6pm.  Book Now: Ribston Hall High School Open Evening. Thursday 15th October 2026, 5:30pm to 8pm

To be notified about other open events, and to receive information about admissions as/when it becomes available, please join our open day and admissions mailing list: Ribston Hall High School Open Days and Admissions Mailing List Registration Form.

You can also find out more about our school and up-coming events on our socials. Please follow us on Facebook: @RibstonHallHighSchool and Instagram: @ribstonhallhighschool.