Ribston HallHigh School
Admissions Information Morning, Monday 28th April
(previously Tuesday 8th April 2025)
Please note: The date for this event has been rescheduled due to local road closures.
You can register for this event now.
Ribston is a school community of happy, ambitious people, of diverse opportunities for learning, growing and trying new things. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum, and are passionate about the pastoral care and support we give our students at every step of their journey. They feel looked after and encouraged; inspired to perform to the best of their ability, challenge themselves and go beyond expectations.
As part of our commitment to ensure all students have the opportunity and information to understand how they can apply for, and attend Ribston Hall High School, we will be running our Admissions Information Morning on Monday 28th April 2025.
The morning is a perfect opportunity for families who have not had experience with grammar schools and are not familiar with the grammar school process. The AIM morning is designed to help families better understand this.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does my child gain admission to Ribston Hall High School?
Ribston Hall High School is a selective school. To gain a place, your child must first sit and achieve the required standard in the grammar school entrance test. You must register for the test and it is taken in September.
How do I apply to sit the grammar school entrance test?
You must complete the Grammar School Registration to enable your child to sit the entrance test. Information on this will be found on the Ribston Hall High School website www.ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk at the appropriate time. Once you have registered online you receive a confirmation email. At the beginning of the school term in September you receive a letter detailing the timings of the day and what your child should bring.
What is the format of the test?
The test consists of multiple choice style questions on verbal ability (comprehension, vocabulary and verbal reasoning), numerical reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. There are two papers each lasting 45 to 50 minutes with additional time for instructions and some worked examples. There will be a break between the papers.
Who is the test provider?
GL Assessment is the largest independent provider of educational assessments in the UK, also providing assessment materials to schools in over 100 countries worldwide. They have been developing selection assessments for over 40 years and provide tests to the majority of grammar schools in the country. GL Assessment works hard to develop its material such that all children are able to demonstrate their levels of attainment and academic potential without excessive preparation.
Is it possible to obtain some practice papers/sample questions beforehand?
There is a wealth of familiarisation material available on GL Assessment’s website. Please click the link GL Assessment Since 11+ tests vary from one area to another, it's important to note that the free familiarisation materials are generic and may differ from your own test's exact specifications. These differences may include the length of papers, the types of questions covered, and/or the level of difficulty.
How should my child prepare for the test?
Beyond the familiarisation material, the best preparation for the tests is to read books and use mathematics on a regular basis.
When will I get the results?
The results will be sent via email in October (date and time to be confirmed). Results are published in good time for you to be able to complete the Local Authority’s Common Application Form.
If my child reaches the qualifying standard, how do I apply for a place at Ribston Hall High School?
If your child meets the qualifying standard you will be informed and can apply for a place at Ribston Hall High School by completing the Local Authority’s Common Application Form (CAF) for allocation of school places. The deadline for this is 31st October.
Does the school have a catchment area?
Ribston Hall High School does not have a catchment area.
When is National Allocation Day?
March 1st is National Allocation Day. Your local County Council admissions department will offer out places for Ribston Hall High School. Our current cohort for Year 7 is 150 places.
This information is based on the most up-to-date information available to us at the time and may be subject to change.
Timings of the school day
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Registration and Assembly |
8:40am |
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Period 1 |
9.00am – 10.00am |
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Period 2 |
10.05am – 11.05am |
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Break |
11.05am – 11.25am |
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Period 3 |
11.25am - 12.25pm |
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Period 4 |
12.30pm – 1.30pm |
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Lunch |
1.30pm – 2.25pm |
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Period 5 |
2.25pm – 3.25pm |
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Final Bell |
3.30pm |
Class size
We have five tutor groups in each year, which are of mixed ability with a class size of 30. Girls are taught in tutor groups in year 7 and 8. As a student progresses through the school, and specialise into option subjects, the class sizes are smaller.
Curriculum information
All information can be found on our website here: Curriculum Information
House
All girls will be assigned to a house either Britons, Celts, Danes, Romans or Saxons. If there is a family reason to join a house we will always accommodate this. During the year there are various house competitions, including house rounders, quizzes and a talent contest, culminating in sports day, and the awarding of the house cup on the final day of term. The house system is a great way to cultivate friendly competition in school.
Special Educational Needs
Please contact our SENCO on ab@ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk if you need further information.
Transport
At Ribston we have a longstanding relationship with a number of independent bus companies who are running transport to and from school. The present timetable can be found here: Bus Timetable
Please contact the companies directly to see if they can cater for your specific needs.
Extra-Curricular Activities and Clubs
Below is a list of clubs and activities that are generally available to Y7 students. This list does alter each year, and quite often we can cater for specific groups of students if they want a club to run.
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Dance Club Rugby (PE) Football (PE) Netball (PE) |
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Ukulele String Ensemble Show Choir |
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Computing Club |
Trips
The whole of year 7 embark on a trip early in the academic year to Croft Farm, where they get to spend time with their peers and start to feel part of the Ribston Family! Many of our older students remember this trip fondly, and it is an important part of the school calendar. There are many trips arranged throughout the year groups, and we will share information on this when it is available. These trips range from day trips, trips within the UK to far-flung destinations and ski trips.
Admissions
The Gloucestershire Grammar School Entrance Test registration is open in May through to June. The seven Gloucestershire Grammar Schools hold the Entrance Test during September, the year prior to entry.
There are a range of familiarisation materials and support guides to aid you through the testing process. Please follow this link to find some further information:
Homework
Homework enables an enhanced learning experience. This is set using the Show My Homework app, something parents can also access. Typically, homework is of 30 mins duration and students can expect between two and three pieces per night. This varies between subjects, with some setting regular shorter pieces of work whilst others lend themselves to extended projects that are less frequent and will take longer, for example in subjects such as Textiles.
After School
After school, the library remains open Monday to Friday until 4pm to access books or for students to get ahead with their homework. After this time students can remain in school in the canteen unsupervised.
Mobile Phone Policy
Our Mobile Phone Policy can be found in the Policy area of our website. All students can bring a phone into school but it must be switched off and away in school, unless teachers request they use them.