Sir Thomas Rich's School 11+ Exam 2027: What Parents Need to Know

Sir Thomas Rich's School in Gloucester is one of the most sought-after boys' grammar schools in the South West. If your son is aiming for a place in the 2027 intake, there is an important change to the admissions process that you need to understand. From 2027 entry, Sir Thomas Rich's will use the FSCE 11+ exam, replacing the GL Assessment papers that have been the standard for many years. This guide explains everything you need to know.

About Sir Thomas Rich's School

Sir Thomas Rich's School, often known locally as "Tommy Rich's" or simply "Rich's," is a selective boys' grammar school located in Longlevens, Gloucester. Founded in 1666 by Sir Thomas Rich, a successful London merchant and native of Gloucester, the school has over 350 years of history and tradition.

The school has an outstanding academic reputation. It consistently achieves some of the best GCSE and A-Level results in Gloucestershire and regularly features among the top state schools nationally. A significant proportion of students go on to study at Russell Group universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. The school also has a strong tradition in sport, music, and extracurricular activities, with a particularly strong reputation in rugby, cricket, and chess.

Sir Thomas Rich's has a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 150 boys for Year 7 entry (per the school's determined admissions policy 2026/27, approved February 2025). The school also admits both boys and girls into the Sixth Form, but the 11+ exam applies only to Year 7 entry, which is boys only. Competition for places is strong, with applications coming from across Gloucester, Cheltenham, the Forest of Dean, and surrounding areas.

The Switch to FSCE

On 15 April 2026, all seven Gloucestershire grammar schools announced that they would be moving from GL Assessment to the FSCE 11+ exam for the 2027 entry cycle. This coordinated switch means that all grammar school applicants in the county will sit the same style of exam, regardless of which school they are applying to.

This is a significant change in approach, and parents who have been preparing their children for VR and NVR-based GL Assessment papers will need to adjust their preparation strategy. For comprehensive details on the Gloucestershire-wide transition, see our article: Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Switch to FSCE.

What Is the FSCE 11+ Exam?

The FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise) 11+ exam is a relatively new admissions test that originated at Reading School in Berkshire. Since its introduction in 2022, it has been adopted by a growing number of grammar schools across England, and is now used in Berkshire, Essex, Devon, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Gloucestershire.

The FSCE takes a different approach from traditional 11+ formats. Instead of testing Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning as standalone subjects, the FSCE integrates English and Mathematics into a cohesive assessment. It also places significant weight on creative writing and short written responses, testing a child's ability to think independently, communicate clearly, and apply knowledge in context.

What Does the FSCE Test?

Important caveat (April 2026): The Gloucestershire FSCE test is being developed as a bespoke specification for the G7 consortium — it will not necessarily be identical to FSCE tests used at other schools. At the time of writing, only one detail has been publicly confirmed for Gloucestershire: Non-Verbal Reasoning will not be tested (per Denmark Road High School's statement). The sections below describe how FSCE typically works at other schools — these features may apply to Gloucestershire but have not been officially confirmed. Full details are expected from September 2026.

The FSCE 11+ exam assesses students across several integrated areas:

Integrated English and Mathematics

The FSCE combines English and Maths into an integrated paper rather than testing them as separate subjects. Your son may be asked to read a passage, answer comprehension questions, and then tackle mathematical problems — all within the same section. This tests the ability to switch between different types of thinking and apply skills flexibly.

Creative Writing

Creative writing is a substantial component of the FSCE. Students are given a writing prompt and must produce an extended piece of writing under timed conditions. Examiners are looking for imagination, clear structure, effective use of language, and accuracy in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. This is often the section where strong candidates can really distinguish themselves.

Short Written Responses

The exam also includes questions requiring short written answers. These might ask students to explain their reasoning, interpret information from a text, or respond to a given scenario. The emphasis is on the quality and clarity of the response rather than simply selecting a correct multiple-choice option.

No VR or NVR

The FSCE does not include Verbal Reasoning or Non-Verbal Reasoning. This is the biggest difference from the GL Assessment format that has been used in Gloucestershire previously. Parents should be aware that preparation materials for VR and NVR, while not harmful, will not directly help with the FSCE.

Key Dates for 2027 Entry

Since this is the first year Sir Thomas Rich's will be using the FSCE, the exact dates for registration and the exam itself were not finalised at the time of writing. Parents should monitor the Sir Thomas Rich's School website and the Gloucestershire grammar schools admissions information for updates. Typical milestones include:

• Registration opens — usually spring or early summer of Year 5
• Registration deadline — typically during the summer term
• Exam date — end of summer term 2027 (June/July, exact date TBC by the consortium)
• Results — usually released in October or November
• National Offer Day — 1 March 2028

Sign up for updates from the school to make sure you do not miss any important deadlines.

How to Register

Registration for the 11+ at Sir Thomas Rich's is typically managed through the school's website or a centralised Gloucestershire grammar school admissions system. Parents will need to complete an online registration form, providing details about their child and their primary school. There is normally no charge to sit the exam.

If your son has any special educational needs or disabilities that require access arrangements (such as extra time, a reader, or a scribe), you should indicate this during registration and provide supporting documentation.

Catchment and Eligibility

Sir Thomas Rich's is a state-funded grammar school with no tuition fees. The school primarily serves boys living in Gloucestershire and surrounding areas. Admissions are based on performance in the 11+ exam, but where students achieve equal scores, distance from the school is typically used as a tiebreaker.

Most successful applicants come from Gloucester, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, Stroud, and the Forest of Dean, but there is no formal catchment boundary that prevents families from further afield from applying. Parents should review the school's admissions policy carefully for the most current oversubscription criteria.

Preparation Advice for the FSCE

The shift from GL to FSCE means that preparation needs to focus on different skills. Here is how to help your son get ready:

Strengthen Core English Skills

Reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, and spelling are all central to the FSCE. Make sure your son is confident across the full Key Stage 2 English curriculum. Regular reading is essential — encourage him to read a range of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, and discuss what he reads to build inference and analytical skills.

Build Mathematical Confidence

The FSCE tests mathematical reasoning in context, so your son needs to be comfortable not just with arithmetic but with problem-solving, logical reasoning, and applying maths to unfamiliar situations. Work through challenging word problems and multi-step questions to develop these skills.

Practise Creative Writing

Many boys find creative writing challenging, especially under exam conditions. Regular practice is key. Encourage your son to write stories, descriptions, and persuasive pieces. Focus on planning before writing, using varied sentence structures, choosing precise vocabulary, and writing neatly under time pressure. Our FSCE 11+ Creative Writing course provides targeted practice and guidance.

Develop Vocabulary

A strong vocabulary will help across every section of the FSCE. Encourage your son to learn new words from his reading, understand word families and roots, and use ambitious vocabulary accurately in his writing. The FSCE 11+ Vocabulary and Language course is a great resource for systematic vocabulary building.

Practise Under Timed Conditions

Exam technique matters. Your son needs to be able to manage his time effectively, read questions carefully, and present his answers clearly. Build up to full timed practice sessions as the exam date approaches. Our FSCE 11+ Exam Strategy course covers time management, question prioritisation, and other key exam skills.

Focus on the FSCE, Not VR/NVR

If you had started preparing for the GL Assessment, it is time to pivot. While the reasoning skills developed through VR and NVR practice are not wasted, your son's preparation time should now focus on the skills the FSCE actually tests: reading, writing, mathematics, and critical thinking.

Recommended FSCE Preparation Resources

LearningBro offers a full set of courses designed specifically for the FSCE 11+ exam:

• FSCE 11+ English Comprehension — Develop strong reading comprehension and inference skills
• FSCE 11+ Mathematics — Master mathematical reasoning in context
• FSCE 11+ Creative Writing — Build confident, structured creative writing skills
• FSCE 11+ Vocabulary and Language — Expand vocabulary and strengthen language use
• FSCE 11+ Critical Thinking — Develop analytical and reasoning skills
• FSCE 11+ Exam Strategy — Learn time management and exam technique

For a complete overview of the FSCE format and what to expect, see our FSCE 11+ Complete Guide.

Final Thoughts

The move to the FSCE is a major development for Sir Thomas Rich's School admissions. The new exam format rewards genuine academic ability — strong reading, clear writing, confident maths, and independent thinking — rather than familiarity with specific question types like VR and NVR.

For boys who are natural readers, curious thinkers, and willing writers, this is good news. The FSCE gives them a chance to demonstrate their abilities in a more holistic way. The key is to start preparation early, focus on the right skills, and use resources that are designed for the FSCE format.

We wish all families the very best as they prepare for the 2027 entry cycle at Sir Thomas Rich's School.