Procedamus in Studia ad Mores (Let Us Go Forward Through Study to Character). This motto has shaped ambitious boys in Stroud for nearly 140 years. Founded in 1887 by cloth manufacturer Sir Samuel Marling, this selective grammar school combines Victorian heritage with a modern, outward-looking curriculum. With 410 applications for 150 Year 7 places, competition is fierce, yet the atmosphere inside feels purposeful rather than pressured. Boys are curious, articulate, and notably comfortable debating complex ideas. The co-educational sixth form, drawing around 50 to 60 girls annually, adds diversity to post-16 study.
The Grade II listed main building, designed by architect W. H. Seth-Smith in Jacobean and Wrenaissance style, sets the tone. A great hall with ornate timber roof, gallery, and panelled walls speaks to the school's Victorian origins, while newer facilities ensure modern teaching needs are met. Marling sits on Cainscross Road next to Stroud High School for Girls, and the two share a sixth form centre, DT block, science block, and Music Hall.
Duncan Cook, CEO of the Cotswold Beacon Academy Trust, has served as Acting Principal since September 2025 following the departure of Jules Godfrey, who was the school's first permanent female principal. The trust is taking time to find exactly the right permanent appointment.
Boys here are polite and courteous. Ofsted's November 2024 inspection noted that pupils uphold the school motto and are positive about their learning. Debate and discussion feature prominently in lessons; curiosity is encouraged. The nine elements of learning framework structures teaching, and all pupils use Chromebooks. Learning communities have replaced traditional houses, creating pastoral groupings that support student wellbeing.
Marling delivers strong academic outcomes for a state selective school. At GCSE in 2024, 59.5% of grades were 9 to 7, with the Attainment 8 score reaching 71.3. The Progress 8 score of +0.64 indicates boys make well above average progress from their starting points.
The school ranks 282nd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it well above the England average in the top 10%. Locally, Marling ranks 2nd among schools in Stroud. The combined GCSE and A-level England rank of 355th reflects consistently solid performance across both phases.
At A-level, 69.6% of grades were A* to B, with 38.5% at A* or A. This places the sixth form in the top 25% of providers in England, ranking 400th out of 2,649 sixth forms nationally and 2nd in Stroud. Among Gloucestershire's seven grammar schools, results are broadly mid-table, and as a former engineering college, STEM subjects have been embedded here long before the acronym became fashionable. Around 80% of boys take the three separate sciences at GCSE, and mathematics followed by sciences remain the most popular A-level choices.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
69.59%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
59.5%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum is ambitious, broad, and personalised. Ofsted noted that subjects go beyond statutory national curriculum requirements. All boys study either German or Spanish from Year 7; in Year 8, they can reduce to one language and add Latin. Latin GCSE runs after school for those who want it. RS GCSE is taken by all in Year 10. Setting in mathematics begins in Year 8.
Teaching follows clear structures. Pupils develop curiosity and apply their learning with careful thought. Teachers have strong subject knowledge, and lessons encourage thoughtful engagement rather than passive absorption. The highly developed careers programme gives all pupils and sixth form students exposure to future careers, training, and higher education pathways.
The sixth form became co-educational in 2000 through partnership with Stroud High School, though the two institutions separated their sixth forms in 2019. Around 60% of Marling boys stay on, joined by approximately 100 external students, of whom 50 to 60 are girls. Entry requires 50 points across the best eight GCSEs.
Twenty-six A-level subjects are available, including Classical Greek, Russian, and History of Art. Most students take three A-levels plus a Breadth Option. The Marling Diamond enrichment programme offers the Extended Project Qualification (around half participate), Gold Duke of Edinburgh, Geology, Creative Writing, Fashion Textiles, Classics, or Maths Skills. Students set up their own groups and societies, with dedicated Wednesday afternoon time for activities.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
University progression is strong. Of the 2024 cohort, 50% went on to university, with 52% of those attending Russell Group institutions. Popular destinations include Cardiff, Exeter, Southampton, and Swansea. In the measurement period, 25 students applied to Oxbridge, with 5 securing places at Cambridge.
Beyond Oxbridge, students have secured places at Imperial College, LSE, UCL, Durham, Bath, Bristol, Edinburgh, King's College London, Manchester, and York. Courses range from Physiotherapy at Birmingham and Veterinary Medicine at Surrey to Music at Goldsmiths, Biomedical Science at Brighton, History at Exeter, and Criminology at Bristol. There is a strong leaning towards mathematics, engineering, and science courses, though English, humanities, and politics are increasingly popular.
Apprenticeships are also well-regarded here. Some students secure competitive Level 6 and Level 7 apprenticeships with employers such as BAE Systems, KPMG, and Tony Gee Engineering.
Total Offers
5
Offer Success Rate: 20%
Cambridge
5
Offers
Oxford
0
Offers
Admission to Year 7 is selective and intensely competitive. With 410 applications for 150 places, the school operates at nearly three times oversubscribed. There is no catchment area.
The entrance test is delivered by GL Assessment and is used across Gloucestershire’s seven grammar schools. The test comprises two papers, each lasting 45 to 50 minutes with a short break between. Papers cover verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. There is no set pass mark; pupils are ranked by score and places allocated according to admissions criteria. The qualifying standard varies annually but has historically been around 210 to 220 marks.
Registration opens noon Monday 18 May 2026 and closes noon Friday 26 June 2026. The entrance test takes place Saturday 12 September 2026 in morning and early afternoon sittings. Results are released mid-October 2026 before the Common Application Form deadline of 31 October 2026. National Allocation Day is Monday 2 March 2027.
If more children meet the qualifying standard than places available, priority goes first to looked-after and previously looked-after children, then to children eligible for Pupil Premium, then to all other qualified children in test rank order. Where candidates are equally ranked, preference is given to children from Cotswold Beacon Academy Trust primary schools (Berkeley Primary and Cam Woodfield Junior), followed by those living closest to the school.
External applicants apply via the online portal by 13 February 2026 for September 2026 entry. Current Marling students select A-level subjects by 2 March 2026. A Discovery Day on Saturday 31 January allows prospective students to experience three A-level lesson sessions.
The Gloucestershire grammar schools work in partnership with Atom Learning to provide free 11-plus preparation and KS2 learning resources to students eligible for Pupil Premium.
Applications
410
Total received
Places Offered
150
Subscription Rate
2.7x
Apps per place
The learning communities structure has replaced traditional houses, creating pastoral groupings that support boys through their school careers. Through life skills lessons, pupils and students learn about respect and healthy relationships. LGBTQ+ identities are celebrated, and the school has good ethnic diversity with annual cultural days.
Behaviour is well managed. A demerit system operates alongside after-school detentions. Suspensions barely reach double figures annually. Uniform rules are strict through to Year 11, but sixth formers may wear jeans, T-shirts, hoodies, and trainers.
Ofsted confirmed safeguarding arrangements are effective. The 2024 inspection found no areas of concern regarding pupil safety or wellbeing.
Around 10% of pupils learn instruments in private practice rooms. The music department offers junior and senior mini-orchestras, a strings group, ukulele ensemble, folk group, and jazz band. Some ensembles run jointly with Stroud High School. The Carducci String Quartet provides workshops. Summer and winter concerts showcase student talent. Approximately 10% take music GCSE and 2% continue to A-level.
The annual whole-school musical is a highlight. Recent productions include The Addams Family, with Everybody's Talking about Jamie scheduled. Curriculum drama runs throughout, with Greek chorus and theatre trips enriching the programme. Around 7% take drama GCSE and 3% at A-level. The drama department occupies the former Technical School buildings.
Two art studios include a computer base. Recent leadership has brought increased energy and inclusivity to the department. Around 13% take GCSE options in Photography, Fine Art or Graphic Art, with 9% continuing at A-level across Photography, Fine Art, Graphic Art, Textiles or 3D Art. Design and Technology is popular; 40% take DT GCSE and 8% continue to A-level. Food technology attracts 12% at GCSE.
Rugby, football, cricket, and athletics form the core programme. Clubs extend to netball and fencing, plus table tennis, badminton, basketball and indoor tennis. A sports hall and fitness suite sit across the road. Sixth form girls have their own netball team.
The extracurricular programme includes Japanese language club, chess, debating, Dungeons and Dragons, law society, and the Green car team. Duke of Edinburgh runs at bronze, silver, and gold levels. International trips have included Canada, Austria, France for skiing, CERN, Barcelona, and Normandy.
A group of sixth formers represented Cote d'Ivoire at the Change the World Model UN Conference in New York, the only UK school represented, debating sustainable development, terrorist threats, climate change, and refugee education rights. Joint expeditions with Stroud High School have included a four-week trip to Borneo with Outlook Expeditions.
As a former engineering college, STEM has deep roots here. The school once built a plane and even put students on board for a flight that returned safely. The Green car team continues this engineering tradition. Maths Olympiad participation and strong uptake of separate sciences at GCSE demonstrate continuing emphasis on scientific and mathematical rigour.
The school day runs from standard secondary hours. The site on Cainscross Road is the main route out of Stroud towards the M5. The school is part of the Cotswold Beacon Academy Trust. Open Evening for prospective Year 7 families takes place Thursday 16 October 2025 from 5pm to 7pm. Open Mornings are scheduled for Wednesday 13 May and Tuesday 19 May 2026. New Parent Evening is Monday 7 July 2026, with Student Induction Day on Tuesday 7 July 2026.
Entrance competition is genuine. With 2.73 applications per place, securing entry requires performing in approximately the top 25% on test day. The same test is used across Gloucestershire’s grammar schools, so preparation is common across the county. Tutoring culture exists here as elsewhere.
English Baccalaureate uptake could be higher. Ofsted noted that take-up of EBacc subjects remains lower than the school's own targets. Families wanting their son to pursue languages and humanities at GCSE alongside sciences should discuss options early.
Results sit in the middle of Gloucestershire grammars. This is not the highest-performing grammar in the county, though outcomes remain strong by any England-wide measure. Families seeking the very top results might look at other Gloucestershire selectives.
Boys only until sixth form. The main school is single-sex. Families wanting co-education throughout should look elsewhere. Girls join only at 16.
Marling School delivers selective education without excessive pressure. Strong STEM tradition, decent Progress 8, and solid university destinations, including a handful of Oxbridge places annually, make this a credible choice for academically able boys in the Stroud area. The Victorian heritage buildings, enriched by shared facilities with neighbouring Stroud High School, create an environment that feels both rooted and modern.
Best suited to curious, articulate boys who will engage with debate and discussion, appreciate the traditional grammar school ethos, and thrive with the independence the school encourages. The main challenge is entry; those who secure a place find a school that genuinely aims to develop character alongside academic achievement.
Yes. Marling was rated Good across all categories in its November 2024 Ofsted inspection. GCSE results place it in the top 10% of schools in England, with 59.5% of grades at 9 to 7 and a strong Progress 8 score of +0.64. A-level results rank in the top 25% in England. The school has a rich 137-year history and notable alumni including actor Tim McInnerny and historian Baron Hennessy.
For Year 7 entry, register your son for the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools entrance test. Registration for September 2027 entry opens noon Monday 18 May 2026 and closes noon Friday 26 June 2026. The test takes place Saturday 12 September 2026. If your son qualifies, submit a Common Application Form via your local authority by 31 October 2026.
The entrance test covers verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning in two 45 to 50 minute papers. There is no set pass mark; candidates are ranked by score. The qualifying threshold varies annually but has historically been around 210 to 220 marks. All seven Gloucestershire grammar schools use the same test.
The school does not recommend tutoring and the test is designed to reduce tutoring advantage. However, with 2.73 applications per place, preparation is common. The Gloucestershire grammar schools partner with Atom Learning to provide free resources for Pupil Premium eligible students.
Girls can join the co-educational sixth form only, entering in Year 12 at age 16. Around 50 to 60 girls join externally each year. The main school for Years 7 to 11 remains boys only.
External applicants need 50 points across their best eight GCSEs. Applications close 13 February 2026 for September 2026 entry. A Discovery Day on Saturday 31 January allows prospective students to experience A-level lessons before applying.
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