School Updated 26 April 2026

Gloucestershire / Gloucestershire 11+

The Crypt School

Podsmead Road, Gloucester, GL2 5AE

A selective co-educational grammar school in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, serving ages 11-18 with a sixth form and around 1,093 pupils on roll.

Co-ed Academy converter Ages 11-18 Sixth form GL Assessment

At a glance

Key facts

GCSE rank
UK Rank #83
Admissions
Mixed
Assessment
GL Assessment
Places in Year 7
155
Competition
4.7 applicants per place
Catchment
There is no fixed catchment area for 2027 entry. Most places are offered in test rank order once applicants meet the qualifying standard, with distance used within the looked-after, pupil-premium, and staff categories and as a tie-break when scores are tied.
Ofsted
Outstanding

Overview

A selective co-educational grammar school in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, serving ages 11-18 with a sixth form and around 1,093 pupils on roll. Families looking at Gloucester, Gloucestershire will usually see The Crypt School as a selective option for boys and girls aged 11-18, with sixth form continuing the academic journey on the same site. Current published roll and admissions data point to around 1,093 pupils on roll and 150 Year 7 places.

For parents thinking about the 11+, the admissions picture is one of the clearest differentiators here. The current route includes GL Assessment, with 150 places available in Year 7 and demand that currently looks moderate by grammar-school standards. Catchment or distance rules still matter at allocation stage, so this is the kind of school where families need to read the admissions policy carefully rather than rely on headline scores alone.

On current official measures, the school offers a clear academic profile for parents to weigh up. The latest published Ofsted judgement is Outstanding. Recent official performance measures show Progress 8 at 0.60 and Attainment 8 at 71.1. 94.7% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths in the latest stored GCSE figures. In the sixth form, 23% of entries were awarded AAB or better at A level. Destinations data also suggest strong progression after sixth form, with 63% moving into higher education.

Published school information highlights facilities such as Library. The wider offer currently includes Chess club, Drama, Duke of Edinburgh. For many parents, the presence of a sixth form is part of the attraction, because it gives able pupils the option to stay in a familiar academic setting through to A level. The Crypt School is likely to appeal most to families who want strong academic expectations but also need the practical details, culture, and selective route to line up sensibly.

Key points

Assessment route
GL Assessment across a 2-stage process, covering VR, NVR, Maths and English.
Places and demand
155 places in Year 7 and 4.7 applicants per place
Catchment
There is no fixed catchment area for 2027 entry. Most places are offered in test rank order once applicants meet the qualifying standard, with distance used within the looked-after, pupil-premium, and staff categories and as a tie-break when scores are tied.
Results
99.3% grade 5+ in English and maths and 72.7 Attainment 8
Sixth form
Sixth form available with 23% AAB or better and 63% in higher education.

GCSE benchmark

Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Gloucestershire and England.

School Local authority England
GCSE benchmark comparison Latest GCSE benchmark measures for Crypt School, Gloucestershire, and England. 0 50 100 Att. 8 5+ E&M EBacc APS EBacc %
Attainment 8
72.7
Grade 5+ English and maths
99.3%
EBacc APS
6.91
EBacc entry
60.5%

Attainment 8 trend

Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Gloucestershire and England.

School Local authority England
Attainment 8 trend line Attainment 8 over time for Crypt School, Gloucestershire, and England. 80 66.7 53.3 40 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/25

Destinations

Latest 2024/25 Year 11 destination mix compared with Gloucestershire and England.

Education Apprenticeships Employment Other / unknown
Destinations stacked bar comparison Year 11 destinations for Crypt School, Gloucestershire, and England across education, apprenticeships, employment, and other or unknown destinations. 0 50 100 School Local auth. England

School details

School type
Academy converter
Admissions
Mixed
Age range
11-18
Headmaster
Mr Nicholas Dyer
Pupil roll
1,093 pupils
Sixth form
Yes
Trust
The Crypt School
FSM
3.4%
EAL
17.7%
EHCP
0.5%

Facilities

Library

Extracurriculars

Chess club Drama Duke of Edinburgh Sport

Location and contact

Address

Address
Podsmead Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Postcode
GL2 5AE
Area
Gloucestershire
Exam area
Gloucestershire 11+

School leadership

Headmaster
Mr Nicholas Dyer

School contact

School phone
01452530291

Admissions contact

Admissions team
Admission Enquiries
Admissions contact
Sue Wales
Admissions phone
01452530291

Admissions

Year 7 places
155 places (2027 entry)
Applications listed
709 applications (2025 entry)
First preferences
164 first preferences (2025 entry)
Applicants per place
4.7 applicants per place
Catchment picture
There is no fixed catchment area for 2027 entry. Most places are offered in test rank order once applicants meet the qualifying standard, with distance used within the looked-after, pupil-premium, and staff categories and as a tie-break when scores are tied.
Pass mark note
Applicants must reach the qualifying standard in the Grammar School Test to be considered. A lower qualifying standard applies for pupil-premium, looked-after, and previously looked-after children, and meeting the standard does not guarantee an offer.

For 2027 entry, there are 155 Year 7 places. Applicants must reach the qualifying standard in the Grammar School Test, but meeting that standard does not guarantee an offer.

There is no fixed catchment area for 2027 entry. Most places are offered in test rank order once applicants meet the qualifying standard, with distance used within the looked-after, pupil-premium, and staff categories and as a tie-break when scores are tied.

Oversubscription and eligibility

  1. 1

    Looked after and previously looked after children who meet the qualifying standard

    Priority is given to looked after and previously looked after children who have met the qualifying standard.

  2. 2

    Pupil premium candidates who meet the qualifying standard

    Applicants in receipt of pupil premium are next in priority once they have met the qualifying standard.

  3. 3

    Children of qualifying school staff

    Applicants who meet the qualifying standard and have a parent employed by the school for at least two years, or recruited to a demonstrable skills-shortage post, are next in priority.

  4. 4

    All other qualifying candidates by test rank

    Remaining applicants who meet the qualifying standard are ranked by Grammar School Test score, with distance used as the tie-break if scores are tied.

Exam and test format

The GL Assessment 11+ entrance test format

The Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test has two papers of about 45 to 50 minutes each, sat on the same day with a short break. Answer sheets are electronically marked by an independent company appointed by the Gloucestershire grammar schools.

Assessment route
GL Assessment
Papers and stages
2 papers
Format
Multiple-choice papers
Age standardisation
No published age-standardisation note

This school uses the shared Gloucestershire consortium route. The consortium page brings together the common test format, key dates and official papers used across that route.

Open Gloucestershire guide

Papers and rounds

  1. Paper 1

    English, VR

    Paper 1

    Verbal skills paper covering comprehension, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning.

  2. Paper 2

    NVR, Maths

    Paper 2

    Non-verbal reasoning and mathematics paper.

What the test includes

English, Maths, Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning are included in the published format.

Science and Creative writing are not listed in the current published format.

Included

  • English

  • Maths

  • Verbal reasoning

    Verbal skills paper covering comprehension, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning.

  • Non-verbal reasoning

    Non-verbal reasoning and mathematics paper.

Not listed

  • Science

  • Creative writing

Official papers and familiarisation

Application

Key dates

  1. Test results emailed

    Mid October 2026

  2. Common Application Form deadline

    31 October 2026

  3. Appeals process opens

    From April 2027

How to apply

  1. 1

    Read the 2027 admissions policy

    Check the determined 2027 policy for the qualifying standard, oversubscription order, and appeal arrangements.

    Open 2027 entry
  2. 2

    Register for the Grammar School Test

    Complete the online registration form between noon on Monday 18 May 2026 and noon on Friday 26 June 2026.

    Register and check dates
  3. 3

    Sit the Grammar School Test

    The test takes place on Saturday 12 September 2026.

    Check test day details
  4. 4

    Submit your local authority school application

    List The Crypt School on your Common Application Form by 31 October 2026.

    Review the admissions route

Results

Attainment snapshot

Progress 8
+0.60 Progress 8
Attainment 8
72.7 Attainment 8
GCSE results
99.3% grade 4+ in English and maths
Grade 5+ English and maths
99.3% grade 5+ in English and maths
EBacc average point score
6.91 EBacc APS
A-level results
23% AAB or better
A-level average points
40.18 points per entry

Where students go next

Higher education progression
63% in higher education
Apprenticeships
9% in apprenticeships
Employment
19% in sustained employment

Latest official destinations data currently covers 2022/23 study leavers.

Subject performance

Maths
100% grade 5+ in EBacc maths
English
97.4% grade 5+ in EBacc English
Sciences
98.7% grade 5+ in EBacc sciences
Languages
100% grade 5+ in EBacc languages

Performance trends

Recent trend

Overall GCSE performance

This follows the school's published overall GCSE score across the subjects pupils take. Higher is better.

Crypt School Grammar schools England
Overall GCSE performance across 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 for Crypt School, grammar schools, and England. 80 70 60 50 40 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Year This school Grammar schools England
2021/22 71.3 74.2 49.4
2022/23 70.3 71.8 47.0
2023/24 71.1 72.1 46.7
2024/25 72.7 72.3 46.8

Recent trend

Average A-level result

This follows the published average A-level result for the school's sixth form. Higher is better.

Crypt School Grammar schools England
Average A-level result across 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 for Crypt School, grammar schools, and England. 50 pts 45 pts 40 pts 35 pts 30 pts 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Year This school Grammar schools England
2021/22 B average (40.2 points) 44.0 points 37.5 points
2022/23 B average (40.8 points) 40.5 points 33.7 points
2023/24 B average (38.9 points) 41.3 points 34.5 points
2024/25 B average (40.2 points) 41.8 points 35.0 points

Recent trend

Where pupils go after Year 11

This follows the share of pupils moving into a sustained destination after Year 11, such as education, apprenticeships, or employment.

Crypt School Grammar schools England
Where pupils go after Year 11 across 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 for Crypt School, grammar schools, and England. 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Year This school Grammar schools England
2021/22 98% 99.1% 94.1%
2022/23 100% 98.9% 93.9%
2023/24 100% 99.0% 93.3%
2024/25 99% 97.8% 91.4%

Latest year breakdown

In education 95%
In apprenticeships 1%
In employment 3%

Inspection

Outstanding

Latest inspection: 13 March 2024

Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Sixth form provision
Outstanding

Similar schools and comparisons

Nearby schools families also consider

Local rivals first, then nearby alternatives that still fit the same shortlist-building context.

Nearby schools with similar results

Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What assessment types does Crypt School use?

Crypt School currently uses GL Assessment.

How do I apply to Crypt School?

1. Read the 2027 admissions policy: Check the determined 2027 policy for the qualifying standard, oversubscription order, and appeal arrangements. 2. Register for the Grammar School Test: Complete the online registration form between noon on Monday 18 May 2026 and noon on Friday 26 June 2026. 3. Sit the Grammar School Test: The test takes place on Saturday 12 September 2026. 4. Submit your local authority school application: List The Crypt School on your Common Application Form by 31 October 2026.

When are the key dates for Crypt School?

Test results emailed: Mid October 2026. Common Application Form deadline: 31 October 2026. Appeals process opens: From April 2027

What does the latest Ofsted picture look like for Crypt School?

Crypt School is currently rated Outstanding following the latest published inspection dated 13 March 2024.