GSGrammarSchool Hub
GrammarSchool Hub
School profile Record updated 27 October 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.

Grammar school Co-ed Academy converter Ages 11-18 Sixth form Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test
2025–2026 GCSE rank ?
UK Rank #84
Year 7 places
155
Competition ?
High (estimated)
Ofsted ?
Outstanding
11+ route
Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test
Compare Official website Map

On this page

At a glance

Key facts

2025–2026 GCSE rank ?
UK Rank #84
Sector
Grammar school
Admissions
Mixed
Assessment
Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test
Places in Year 7
155
Competition ?
High (estimated)
Catchment
You can apply from any area. There is no defined catchment or local-priority area, although distance may still affect allocation or a tie-break.
Ofsted ?
Outstanding

Overview

The Crypt School is one of Gloucester's oldest educational names, now a co-educational selective grammar for ages 11 to 18 on Podsmead Road. The school's own language is built around pupils flourishing, underpinned by the values of integrity, kindness, pride, respect and responsibility.

Academically, The Crypt combines a traditional grammar curriculum with a strong sixth-form identity. Students join Year 12 from The Crypt and from other local schools, with published entry requirements, specialist subject teaching, personal tutoring and careers guidance. Ofsted judged the school Outstanding in March 2024, including its sixth-form provision.

Life beyond lessons is busy and varied: chess, drama, Duke of Edinburgh, sport, music, clubs and societies all appear in the school's own materials. The result is a Gloucester grammar that presents itself as scholarly, but also interested in character, confidence and service.

For Year 7, The Crypt publishes 155 places. Applicants sit the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test, made up of two papers taken on the same day and marked independently. Children must reach the qualifying standard before oversubscription criteria are applied, with priority for looked-after children, pupil-premium candidates, qualifying staff children and then other qualifying candidates by test rank.

Key points
Assessment route
Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test: 2 papers, covering English, Maths, Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning.
Places and demand
155 places in Year 7 and High (estimated)
Catchment
You can apply from any area. There is no defined catchment or local-priority area, although distance may still affect allocation or a tie-break.
Results
94.7% grade 5+ in English and maths and 73.3 Attainment 8
Sixth form
Sixth form available with 23% AAB or better and 57.2% in higher education.

GCSE benchmark

Latest 2025/26 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
Attainment 8
73.3
Grade 5+ English and maths
94.7%

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 25/26

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
Sector
Grammar school
School type
Academy converter
Application
Local authority CAF
Gender
Mixed
Age range
11-18
Headmaster
Mr Nicholas Dyer
Pupil roll
1,100 pupils
Sixth form
Yes
Trust
The Crypt School
FSM ?
3.6%
EAL ?
16.9%
EHCP ?
0.5%

Facilities

Library

Extracurriculars

Chess club Drama Duke of Edinburgh Sport

School statistics

Ethnicity

Pupil ethnicity

Whole-school roll of 1,100 pupils; 1,092 had a recorded ethnic group.

White 61.9% Asian 21.6% Mixed 9.3% Black 5.4% Other 1% Unclassified 0.7%

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 email
enquiries@crypt.gloucs.sch.uk
School phone
01452530291

Admissions contact

Admissions team
Admission Enquiries
Admissions contact
Sue Wales
Admissions email
swales@crypt.gloucs.sch.uk
Admissions phone
01452530291
Open in Map Open school website

Admissions
Year 7 places
155 places
Applications listed
731 applications (2026 entry)
First preferences
158 first preferences (2026 entry)
Competition ?
High (estimated)
Catchment
You can apply from any area. There is no defined catchment or local-priority area, although distance may still affect allocation or a tie-break.
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.

Admissions policy

Admissions policy 2027 entry

2027 entry

Information booklet

Gloucestershire Grammar Schools admissions booklet 2027

2027 entry

Exam and test format
September 2027 entry

One shared entrance test for seven grammar schools.

Test provider
GL Assessment
Format
Multiple choice
Scores
Age-standardised

Papers and timings

  • Verbal skills English · Verbal reasoning Multiple choice
    45–50 min
  • Mathematics and non-verbal reasoning Maths · Non-verbal reasoning Multiple choice
    45–50 min

What the test includes

  • EnglishComprehension and vocabulary.
  • Maths
  • Verbal reasoning
  • Non-verbal reasoning
Official test guidance
Changes for 2028 entry
2028 entry · Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE)

The FSCE test moves to the summer term of Year 5, on 3 July 2027.

Registration opens at noon on 8 February and closes at noon on 19 March 2027.

Adventure uses English and maths multiple choice; Beacon uses short written English and maths answers; Compass assesses wider KS2 learning.

Official 2028 guidance ↗

Official exam resources

Past papers and practice materials

No released past entrance-test papers are currently verified here. The resources below are labelled by type.

Gloucestershire test guide

Application

Key dates

Get date reminders
Find open days and plan a visit

  1. Grammar School Test registration opens

    Monday 18 May 2026 at noon

    Past

  2. Grammar School Test registration closes

    Friday 26 June 2026 at noon

    Past

  3. Grammar School Test

    Saturday 12 September 2026

    Past

  4. Test results emailed

    Mid October 2026

    The school gives a mid-October results window rather than an exact date.

  5. Common Application Form deadline

    Saturday 31 October 2026

    Past

  6. National Offer Day

    Monday 1 March 2027

  7. Appeals process opens

    From April 2027

    The school gives an April 2027 appeals window rather than an exact date.

  8. Main school open day

    14 October 2026

    Past

    Booking opens on 16 September.

  9. Qualifying Year 6 open event

    22 October 2026

    Past

    For invited children who achieve a qualifying ranking.

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

Official admissions documents

Admissions policy

Admissions policy 2027 entry

2027 entry

Information booklet

Gloucestershire Grammar Schools admissions booklet 2027

2027 entry

Results

Inspection
View report
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

Quick summary

  • Overall effectiveness: The 2024 inspection judged The Crypt School outstanding in every area. Pupils flourish through exceptional teaching, respectful relationships, extensive enrichment, active citizenship and well-supported leadership from trustees and staff.
  • Quality of education: Pupils gain deep subject knowledge through a broad, ambitious curriculum. Teachers use precise vocabulary work, careful sequencing, meticulous checks on understanding and well-adapted support for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
  • Behaviour and attitudes: Pupils behave impeccably, arrive punctually and move sensibly around the site. They are highly motivated, resilient and considerate, creating a respectful atmosphere where differences are celebrated.
  • Personal development: Personal development is exceptionally planned, including the Edge award, Duke of Edinburgh, public speaking, house events, charity work and service. Pupils learn about online safety, healthy relationships and how to care for their mental and physical health.
  • Leadership and management: Trustees, leaders and staff share an ambitious and inclusive vision. Trustees provide intelligent challenge, leaders use professional development to strengthen teaching, and newer staff receive effective support.
  • Sixth form provision: Sixth-form students follow programmes shaped around their ambitions and use pupil parliaments to represent others' views. They mentor younger pupils, serve local primary schools and benefit from strong careers education and meaningful work experience.

Similar schools and comparisons

Nearby schools families also consider

Local rivals appear first, followed by nearby alternatives where the journey and admissions route are still comparable.

Nearby schools with similar results

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

Shortlist comparisons

Compare Crypt School with Pate's Grammar School

Explore this school in context

Best Grammar Schools in Gloucestershire

Compare 7 Gloucestershire grammar schools for 2026: GCSE ranking table, Ofsted, Gloucestershire route, admissions rules, competition, and school profiles.

Best Grammar Schools in the UK

Explore the best grammar schools in the UK with a national ranking that can be filtered by county, school type, and Ofsted before moving into local admissions detail.

Best Grammar Schools by A-level Results

Explore the best grammar schools by A-level results in the UK, ranked by the published share of students achieving AAB or better at A level.

Best Grammar Schools Rated Outstanding by Ofsted

Explore grammar schools rated Outstanding by Ofsted in the UK and narrow them by GCSE strength, county, and school type before comparing schools by route and journey.

Related pages and guides

Area and ranking pages

Best Grammar Schools in Gloucestershire

Compare 7 Gloucestershire grammar schools for 2026: GCSE ranking table, Ofsted, Gloucestershire route, admissions rules, competition, and school profiles.

Best Grammar Schools in the UK

Explore the best grammar schools in the UK with a national ranking that can be filtered by county, school type, and Ofsted before moving into local admissions detail.

Best Grammar Schools by A-level Results

Explore the best grammar schools by A-level results in the UK, ranked by the published share of students achieving AAB or better at A level.

Best Grammar Schools Rated Outstanding by Ofsted

Explore grammar schools rated Outstanding by Ofsted in the UK and narrow them by GCSE strength, county, and school type before comparing schools by route and journey.

Guides and related reading

Related guides are still being added.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Which entrance tests does Crypt School use?

For September 2027 entry, Crypt School uses Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test. Check the named test and any alternative or later-stage requirements in the admissions policy.

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?

Grammar School Test registration opens: Monday 18 May 2026 at noon. Grammar School Test registration closes: Friday 26 June 2026 at noon. Grammar School Test: Saturday 12 September 2026. Test results emailed: Mid October 2026. Common Application Form deadline: Saturday 31 October 2026. National Offer Day: Monday 1 March 2027. Appeals process opens: From April 2027. Main school open day: 14 October 2026. Qualifying Year 6 open event: 22 October 2026

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

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