Marling School
School summary
A selective boys' grammar in Stroud, Marling School draws academically able pupils from across Gloucestershire and is one of the larger schools of its kind, with around 1,117 boys on roll against a capacity of 1,150. Entry at 11 runs through the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools consortium, so demand for its 150 places is keen. The pupil-to-teacher ratio of roughly 18 is typical for a school of this size, and a relatively low proportion of pupils qualify for free school meals.
How hard is it to get in?
Exceptionally competitive · 5 of 5 on the Passmate scale. Demand here is among the very highest of any selective school in England - a strong exam performance matters more than at almost any other school.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
Key dates · 2028 entry
Free month · No payment needed
Latest results
Attainment 8
73.9
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
98%
National average 47%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Not judged
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Good
- Last inspected
- 19 November 2024
Teaching & academics
Results sit well above national benchmarks: an Attainment 8 score of 73.9 compares with a national average of 46.9, and 98% of pupils secure grade 5 or above in English and Maths against a national figure of 47%. Ofsted rated quality of education, including the sixth form, as Good. Together these point to a school that consistently stretches its intake from Year 7 through to A-level.
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 4.3%
- EHC plans
- 0.36%
- English as additional language
- 11.2%
- Free school meals
- 4.1%
Schools nearby
Stroud High School
Stroud, South West
The Crypt School
Gloucester, South West
Ribston Hall High School
Gloucester, South West
Denmark Road High School
Gloucester, South West
Sir Thomas Rich's School
Gloucester, South West
Pate's Grammar School
Cheltenham, South West
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A strong choice for academically motivated boys whose families are prepared for a competitive 11+ entry across the Gloucestershire consortium.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
Free month · No payment needed
Marling School 11+: frequently asked questions
Passmate rating: benchmarked against every selective school in England using official admissions data. It measures demand for places, not school quality. Updated July 2026.
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.