Altrincham Grammar School for Girls 11+

How to get into Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls is a selective secondary school in Greater Manchester. To get into Altrincham Grammar School for Girls children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Altrincham Grammar School for Girls with all the important information you need to know.

Admission Requirements

Children born between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2025 (see key dates). The school offers 204 places annually ^[1].

Families must apply for a place through the Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF). The school uses the Trafford 11+ exam for all admissions. The school is consistently oversubscribed, with priority given to applicants living within the catchment area, although places may be available for out-of-area candidates.

The priority catchment area is defined as an 8-mile radius from the main entrance of the school, with distance measured in a direct line from the child's permanent place of residence. The entrance exam is age-standardised, so no student has an advantage based on their age.

Application Process

Registration for the Trafford 11+ opens on Thursday 24th April 2025 and closes on Friday 20th June 2025 (see key dates). Families must complete two separate applications during the admissions process.

The first step involves registering for the Trafford 11+ exam through the school's website. Parents need to register their daughters for the entrance examination between April and June, alongside completion of a Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF), prioritising the school as a high preference.

• Complete the online registration form on the school's website between April and June (see key dates)
• Submit the Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
• Name Altrincham Grammar School for Girls as a preference on the CAF
• Attendance forms and examination details are sent by Thursday 4th September 2025, with children required to bring the Attendance Form with a photograph attached on exam day
• Contact details available in the school information section for specific queries

Alternative arrangements are available for children who are ill on the exam day. Families requiring special access arrangements should contact the school during the registration process to discuss individual needs.

The Trafford 11+ Examination

The exam takes place on Monday 15th September 2025, with results received in mid-October (see key dates). The test consists of two one-hour papers taken on the same day with a short break in-between.

The examination comprises mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning ^[1]. All questions are multiple-choice and consist of questions in mathematics based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum, verbal reasoning involving solving problems with written information including reading comprehension, and non-verbal reasoning using visual information such as shapes, diagrams and pictures.

• Mathematics: Problem-solving and arithmetic covering number, measurement, geometry, algebra and statistics
• Verbal Reasoning: Logical thinking, vocabulary and comprehension questions
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Visual problem-solving including spatial reasoning tasks
• GL Assessment has created a bespoke paper specifically for the Trafford Consortium, so students will not sit the same examination at any other school ^[1]

Preparation Guidance

Child psychologists recommend using a 'little and often' approach with regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes for children aged 10-11. Families should start preparation at least one year in advance to build necessary skills effectively.

The school recommends beginning preparation with Key Stage 2 curriculum content before moving to exam-specific skills. Regular reading helps develop comprehension abilities essential for the verbal reasoning sections. Children scoring 75-80% consistently in practice tests should be on track to pass the entrance examination.

• Focus on core mathematics covering all Key Stage 2 topics
• Develop vocabulary and reading comprehension through regular reading
• Practice visual problem-solving with shapes and patterns
• Use timed practice sessions to build speed and accuracy
• Take mock examinations to simulate test conditions
• For free practice papers, see practice 11+ papers section
• For tutoring support, see tutor recommendations

Practical Advice

Families should prepare children for the examination day by familiarising them with the test format and venue arrangements. Children must bring the correct Attendance Form with photo identification or they will not be allowed to sit the examination.

On exam day, children should arrive well-rested and prepared. The examination is held at various venues across the Trafford area, with specific locations confirmed closer to the test date. Families should plan travel routes in advance and allow extra time for arrival.

• Ensure children have a good night's sleep before the exam
• Provide a healthy breakfast on the morning of the test
• Arrive at the test venue early with required documentation
• Bring photo identification and completed attendance forms
• Pack essential stationery as recommended by the school
• Practice relaxation techniques to manage exam stress
• Consider backup school options in Greater Manchester for comprehensive planning

For families not offered a place, the school maintains a waiting list until 31st December at the end of the autumn term of Year 7, applicable for those who qualified through the entrance exam. Appeals processes are available through the local authority for unsuccessful applications.

For specific guidance on individual circumstances or additional support needs, families should contact the school directly through the details provided in the school information section.

^[1]Altrincham Grammar School for Girls official website

Trafford 11+ Information

In order to get into Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, children need to pass the Trafford 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Trafford 11+ Subjects & Structure

The Trafford 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-verbal Reasoning

The entrance examination for Altrincham Grammar School for Girls is known as the Trafford 11 plus. This assessment comprises two papers, each lasting one hour, with a brief interval between them. The papers are presented in a multiple-choice format, evaluating the candidate's abilities across three key areas.

The Maths section assesses the student's mathematical skills, drawing from the Key Stage 2 national curriculum. Verbal Reasoning challenges the applicant to analyze and interpret written information, including reading comprehension tasks. Lastly, Non-verbal Reasoning examines the child's capacity to solve problems using visual cues, such as shapes, diagrams, and pictures.

This comprehensive evaluation aims to identify students with the necessary academic potential to thrive in the challenging educational environment provided by Altrincham Grammar School for Girls.

Other Schools using Trafford 11+

As well as Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, several other schools also use Trafford 11+. These are:

• Altrincham Grammar School for Boys
• Sale Grammar School
• Stretford Grammar School
• Urmston Grammar Academy

Trafford 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Altrincham Grammar School for Girls is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Trafford 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Trafford 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Key Dates for the Altrincham Grammar School for Girls 11+ Entrance Tests

Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Altrincham Grammar School for Girls) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Altrincham Grammar School for Girls as they may well change.

11+ Tutor for Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

As the Trafford 11+ entrance process is particularly gruelling, we would highly recommend using an 11+ private tutor.

Why use a private 11+ tutor?

Personal tutors have the experience and expertise to help children pass their 11+ exams. They know the requirements of the GL Assessment 11+ tests inside-out and can provide tailored support to give children the best possible chance of success. It's also important to bear in mind that plenty of other children will be using private tutors too.

11+ tutors don't need to be face-to-face, plenty of children use online 11+ tutors.

11+ tutors can also provide regular progress reports and feedback, helping parents to monitor their child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their preparation.

Most importantly, using an 11+ tutor helps ensure that the preparation work gets done!

Private 11+ Tutors for the Altrincham Grammar School for Girls 11+ Tests

We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Altrincham Grammar School for Girls 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Altrincham Grammar School for Girls together with their admissions contact details.

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls is a girls only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,389 pupils attend Altrincham Grammar School for Girls and it's led by the Principal, Ms Stephanie Gill.

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

Ofsted Information

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls was last inspected by Ofsted on 11/10/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 04/12/2022, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls was inspected by Ofsted on 11 October 2022 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional performance in the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.

The inspection report highlights the school's outstanding quality of education, which is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the teaching staff. The school's approach to behaviour and attitudes was also deemed outstanding, creating a positive learning environment that fosters student growth and achievement. Additionally, the school's commitment to personal development was recognized as outstanding, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for future success.

The leadership and management of Altrincham Grammar School for Girls were also rated as outstanding, demonstrating the school's ability to effectively guide and support its staff and students. Finally, the sixth form provision was deemed outstanding, providing students with excellent opportunities for further education and personal growth.

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls for the 2022-23 academic year.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Altrincham Grammar School for Girls per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)