Thomas Keble School Review 2026: A Flourishing Community in the Cotswolds

High on a ridge in the Cotswold village of Eastcombe, Thomas Keble School serves a broad catchment across the Stroud valleys. It is a school that has successfully navigated significant transition, moving from its long term status as a foundation school to joining the Gloucestershire Learning Alliance (GLA) in 2021. The school is currently in an era of physical transformation, with a multi million pound rebuilding project reaching full completion in late 2024 and early 2025 to replace ageing 1960s blocks with high specification, sustainable facilities.

Mr Steven Shaw has led the school since 2022, following several years as Deputy Head. His leadership is characterised by a focus on "the Thomas Keble way," which emphasises respect, resilience, and responsibility. The school’s recent GCSE results place it as the third highest performing non selective school in the Stroud area, a position that reflects a steady upward trajectory in academic standards.

The atmosphere at Thomas Keble is defined by its rural setting and a strong sense of local identity. Historically, the school was known as Manor School, and while the name changed in 1990 to honour the 19th century rector of Bisley, it retains a deep rooted connection to the surrounding villages. The recently completed rebuilding programme has created a sense of renewal; students now inhabit modern, three storey teaching blocks that were designed to be net zero carbon in operation.

Relationships between staff and students are a clear strength. The 2023 Ofsted inspection confirmed that students feel safe and happy, describing a culture where bullying is rare and handled effectively when it occurs. There is a palpable sense of pride in the school’s small school feel, despite it operating at a capacity of over 700 students. This scale allows for a social environment where teachers and students genuinely know one another.

Thomas Keble consistently delivers a solid academic performance that sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (44th percentile). In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.6, which is comfortably above the England average of 45.9.

Ranked 2054th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and 3rd among non selective schools in the Stroud area, the school demonstrates significant value added for its students. The Progress 8 score of +0.23 is particularly notable, indicating that students here make approximately a quarter of a grade more progress across their subjects than similar students in other schools in England. This metric is often seen as a truer reflection of teaching quality than raw attainment alone, as it accounts for the students' varying starting points.

The curriculum is broad and ambitious, designed to provide a pathway for every student. In the lower years (Years 7 to 9), students follow a diverse programme including Drama, Design Technology, and Religious Education alongside core subjects. As they move into Key Stage 4, the school offers a balanced mix of traditional GCSEs and vocational qualifications.

A particular focus is placed on literacy across the curriculum, with dedicated reading time embedded into the school day. Science is a popular subject area, supported by new, purpose built laboratories that have significantly enhanced the practical learning experience. Teachers are noted for their subject expertise and their ability to tailor lessons to support both the most able and those who require additional support.

Where Students Go Next

As a school for 11 to 16 year olds, the transition at the end of Year 11 is a critical milestone. Without an on site sixth form, Thomas Keble has developed exceptionally strong links with local post 16 providers. The vast majority of students progress to A level or vocational courses at Cirencester College, Stroud College (SGS), or the various grammar school sixth forms in Stroud and Gloucester.

The school’s careers programme is comprehensive, beginning in Year 7. By Year 10, every student participates in a week of work experience with local employers. This early exposure to the professional world helps ensure that leaver destinations are well matched to individual aspirations, with a high percentage of students securing their first choice college placements.

Securing a place at Thomas Keble has become increasingly competitive as its reputation has grown. For the most recent intake, the school was significantly oversubscribed, receiving 383 applications for just 130 available places. This results in a subscription proportion of 2.95, meaning there were nearly three applicants for every seat in the classroom.

Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical intake patterns. Admissions are managed by Gloucestershire County Council, following a standard criteria that prioritises looked after children, siblings, and then those living closest to the school. The deadline for September 2026 entry was 31 October 2025.

The Thomas Keble way is most visible in the school's pastoral structure. Each student belongs to one of four houses: Austen, Brunel, Cavell, or Darwin. This house system provides the primary framework for support, competition, and community. Vertical tutoring, where tutor groups include students from different year groups, encourages a culture of mentorship and ensures that younger students have older peers they can turn to for advice.

Support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is managed through the Achieve department. The school is well regarded for its inclusive approach, with a high number of teaching assistants who provide targeted intervention within mainstream classrooms. The 2023 Ofsted monitoring visit highlighted the effectiveness of the school’s safeguarding procedures, noting that leaders are tenacious in ensuring students get the help they need.

The extracurricular life of the school is varied and reflects the interests of both staff and students. Sport is a major pillar, with the school utilising its extensive playing fields for rugby, netball, and athletics. The Keble Cup is a highlight of the sporting calendar, involving fierce but friendly inter house competition.

STEM Excellence

The school has a burgeoning reputation for STEM enrichment. The Lego Robotics Club and the Greenpower Racing Team provide hands on engineering experience, with students designing and building electric cars to race at national circuits. These programmes are supported by the school's investment in new technology suites within the rebuilt campus.

The creative arts are equally celebrated. The biennial whole school production and the annual Cotswold Arts Festival display provide platforms for students to showcase talents in drama, music, and fine art. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is also highly active, taking full advantage of the school’s proximity to the Cotswold Way for expedition training.

The school day begins at 8:40am and finishes at 3:15pm. While the school does not offer its own primary style wraparound care, a wide range of extracurricular clubs run until 4:30pm most days.

Transport is a significant consideration due to the school’s hilltop location. A network of school buses serves the surrounding villages, including Bisley, Bussage, and Chalford. For those travelling by car, the narrow lanes of Eastcombe can be congested at drop off and pick up times, and the school encourages the use of designated drop zones to ease local traffic.

• Significant Oversubscription: With nearly three applications for every place, Thomas Keble is one of the most sought after non selective schools in the county. Families living outside the immediate hill top villages may find it difficult to secure a place through the distance criteria.
• Net Zero Campus: The move into new buildings means that the physical environment is now among the most modern in Gloucestershire, utilizing air source heat pumps and solar panels to minimize environmental impact.
• No Sixth Form: The 11-16 structure means that all students must move schools at age 16. While this encourages independence and a fresh start, families who prefer the continuity of an all through secondary may find this a drawback.
• Rural Accessibility: The school’s location is stunning but remote. There is limited public transport beyond the dedicated school bus service, meaning students are often reliant on these buses or parental transport for after school activities.

Thomas Keble School successfully balances a traditional community ethos with a modern, forward looking curriculum. Its strong Progress 8 scores prove that it adds genuine value to its students' education, outperforming many local peers. The multi million pound investment in its facilities has finally given the school a physical environment that matches its academic ambitions. Best suited to local families who want a supportive, small school environment where academic progress is tracked with rigour and student wellbeing is genuinely prioritised. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature on FindMySchool to manage their shortlist and track upcoming open events.