Sale Grammar School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Sale Grammar School.
How to get into Sale Grammar School
Sale Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Greater Manchester. To get into Sale Grammar School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Sale Grammar School 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. The intended admission number for 2025 is 190 [1].
Families must pass the Trafford 11+ examination to be eligible for admission. The entrance test will take place on Monday 16th September 2024 for September 2025 entry, though applications have now closed for registration for the entrance test [1].
The school operates with a priority admission area defined by specific postcodes. This area is defined by the postcode M33, plus Trafford Authority residents who live within the M23, WA14, and WA15 postcodes. Children living within this catchment area receive priority for places after other criteria are met.
For September 2026 entry, applications open at 12 noon on Thursday 24th April 2025 and close at 12 noon on Friday 20th June 2025 (see key dates). The entrance test will take place on Monday 15th September 2025 (see key dates) [1].
Application Process
Families must complete a two-step application process involving both test registration and school application. Registration for the Trafford 11+ is separate from the school application form.
The first step requires registering for the entrance examination through the school's dedicated registration system. Late applications cannot be considered for testing and second round offers until following the 1st March 2026 National School Allocation Day [1].
The second step involves completing the Common Application Form (CAF) through the relevant local authority. This will be available on your home council website from early September and must be submitted by 31st October (see key dates). You can then use these results to decide whether to apply for a place at Sale Grammar School. To apply, you'll need to name the school as one of your preferred schools on the secondary school common application form.
Families must provide necessary documentation including proof of address and birth certificates. For specific requirements and contact information, families should visit the school information section for current details.
Examination Details
Sale Grammar School uses the Trafford 11+ examination provided by GL Assessment. This comprehensive test spans across two papers, each lasting for one hour, with a brief intermission between them. The exam format is entirely multiple-choice, ensuring a streamlined and efficient evaluation process.
The exam covers three key areas: Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-verbal Reasoning. GL will be providing test papers for the entrance exam consisting of two tests, each approximately one hour in length, containing questions that assess verbal, non-verbal and mathematics skills. For each element there will be a range of different types of questions. Questions that test verbal ability skills may include questions relating to word choice, knowledge of words and their meanings and how words relate to each other; students may also be asked questions that relate to verbal reasoning comprehension skills. Questions that test non-verbal ability skills may include questions relating to relationships between shapes and sequences of shapes, identification of common features from a set of figures and applying them to a new figure, codes and spatial awareness questions. Questions that test mathematics skills generally cover content taught in schools up to the start of Year 6 [1].
The Maths section assesses the child's proficiency in the Key Stage 2 national curriculum, testing their ability to apply mathematical concepts and solve problems. Verbal Reasoning challenges the child's capacity to analyze and interpret written information, including reading comprehension tasks.
Preparation Guidance
Families should begin preparation well in advance of the examination date. It's important to build a good knowledge base before the 11 plus. Using a 'little and often' approach when learning is key – our brains encode new information more effectively when dealing with smaller 'chunks' of information. For children aged 10–11, child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20–30 minutes.
For comprehensive practice materials, families should access free 11+ practice papers. These resources provide authentic examination experience and help children become familiar with the question formats and timing requirements.
For additional support, families may consider professional tutoring through specialist 11+ tutors. The ideal time to start preparing for the 11 plus is in the summer term of Year 4 or early autumn term of Year 5. Starting early and practising often in bitesize chunks will minimise stress and pressure.
The school provides familiarisation materials and information about the examination format. GL produces a bespoke paper for the Trafford Consortium so students sitting the examination will not sit the same examination at any other school. The types of questions however, will be similar to those provided in GL's familiarisation material, available below [1].
Practical Advice
On examination day, children should arrive well-prepared and relaxed. Calculators are not allowed in the exam. All questions will be multiple choice. The exams are split into sections. There will be a short break between the papers. Scores will be standardised.
To manage examination stress, families should maintain regular practice sessions and ensure children understand the examination format. The eleven plus is designed to be a challenging exam. It looks to see which children will thrive in a selective school environment. It's intended to challenge the top 25% of the year group, with some questions covering content not yet taught in the classroom.
The school is part of the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium, which includes multiple selective schools in the area. Admission to Year 7 is based on performance in the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium 11 plus exam. The school is often oversubscribed, with priority given to applicants who live within the catchment area, though some out-of-area places may be offered.
Families should consider backup school options within Greater Manchester as competition for places is significant. In 2023, the school secured around 6 applications per place. A total of 1061 applications were received and the school made 192 offers.
For current contact information and specific guidance, families should visit the school information section. The Sale Grammar School Open Evening for Year 5 parents and children will take place on Thursday 3rd July 2025 (see key dates) [1].
Trafford 11+ Information
In order to get into Sale Grammar School, 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 Trafford 11 plus exam is a crucial assessment for children seeking admission to Sale Grammar School. This comprehensive test spans across two papers, each lasting for one hour, with a brief intermission between them. The exam format is entirely multiple-choice, ensuring a streamlined and efficient evaluation process.
The exam covers three key areas: Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-verbal Reasoning. The Maths section assesses the child's proficiency in the Key Stage 2 national curriculum, testing their ability to apply mathematical concepts and solve problems. Verbal Reasoning challenges the child's capacity to analyze and interpret written information, including reading comprehension tasks. Non-verbal Reasoning evaluates the child's aptitude for problem-solving using visual cues, such as shapes, diagrams, and pictures.
By encompassing a diverse range of subjects and question types, the Trafford 11 plus exam provides a well-rounded assessment of the child's academic abilities and potential. Success in this exam is a significant step towards securing a place at the esteemed Sale Grammar School, renowned for its academic excellence and commitment to nurturing young minds.
Other Schools using Trafford 11+
As well as Sale Grammar School, several other schools also use Trafford 11+. These are:
- Altrincham Grammar School for Boys
- Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
- Stretford Grammar School
- Urmston Grammar Academy
Trafford 11+ Marking Process
The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Sale Grammar School 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 Sale Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the Sale Grammar School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Sale Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 24/04/2025 | Trafford 11 Plus Registration Opens At Midday | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 20/06/2025 | Trafford 11 Plus Registration Closes At Midday | |
| 03/07/2025 | Sale Grammar School Open Evening | |
| 04/09/2025 | Final Exam Details Are Sent To Registered Families By This Date | |
| 15/09/2025 | Trafford 11 Plus Exam | |
| Late October | National Deadline To Apply For Secondary School Places | |
| 02/03/2026 | Secondary School National Offers Day |
Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Sale Grammar School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for Sale Grammar School
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 Sale Grammar School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Sale Grammar School 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.
11+ Past Papers for Sale Grammar School
Here are all available past 11+ papers for Sale Grammar School. Please note that this may include 11+ past papers, past familiarisation booklets, past practice materials published by third parties and past 11+ exam guides written by the school. These materials are provided 'as-is' and may no longer reflect the subjects, format, structure or exam board that Sale Grammar School currently uses.
The exam board (or test supplier) that Sale Grammar School chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.
As well as these past 11+ papers, you may find our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers helpful for your child's preparation.
| Exam Board | Subject | 11+ Past Paper |
|---|---|---|
| CEM* Now use GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Sale Grammar School
Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Trafford 11+ Ensure you double-check with Sale Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.
This is just a sample of our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers. Please click here to see the full collection.
11+ Practice Papers for Sale Grammar School by Bond
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by Bond and cover and cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. As such they are very helpful for children hoping to pass the Trafford 11+ to get into Sale Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Sale Grammar School by GL Assessment
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. As with the Bond papers, they cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. They remain useful and we encourage parents to download and use them with their children to help them get into Sale Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Sale Grammar School by Exam Ninja
These Free 11+ Practice Tests by Exam Ninja are extremely useful. They are straight-forward 10-question tests in Maths and English, following the same GL Assessment style (and multiple-choice format) as the Trafford 11+.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for Sale Grammar School by Owl Tutors
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Owl Tutors. These too are written in a GL Assessment style and make useful practice for children hoping to get into Sale Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Sale Grammar School by CGP
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. As with the Bond, GL Assessment and Exam Ninja papers, they're written for the GL Assessment style, in multiple-choice format and are helpful for children hoping to pass their 11+ tests and get into Sale Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. If Sale Grammar School ever used them then they don't anymore as grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these 11+ tests remain useful.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEM | Maths | |||
| CEM | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| CEM | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Sale Grammar School by 11+ For You
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Sale Grammar School by Examberry
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Sale Grammar School by Independent Junction
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Sale Grammar School by IPS
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
11+ Practice Papers for Sale Grammar School by Schofield & Sims
These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
School Information
Below you will find further information about Sale Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | Sale Grammar School, Marsland Road, Sale, Cheshire M33 3NH |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.salegrammar.co.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01619733217 |
| Email Address | office@salegrammar.co.uk |
| Gender | Mixed (both girls and boys) |
| Total Year 7 Places | 190 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1331 (601 Girls / 730 Boys) |
| Headteacher | Mrs Rebecca Smith |
Sale Grammar School is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) 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 1,331 pupils attend Sale Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mrs Rebecca Smith.
Sale Grammar School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
Sale Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 29/06/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 27/09/2022, 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
| Date Inspected | Inspection Duration (Days) | Reporting Date | Rating | Full Report | 29/06/2022 | 1 | 27/09/2022 | Outstanding | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
Sale Grammar School received an Outstanding rating in its Ofsted inspection on 29 June 2022. The school demonstrated exceptional performance across all key areas, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.
The inspection report highlighted the school's outstanding quality of education, indicating that students benefit from a well-structured and engaging curriculum. The school's approach to behaviour and attitudes was also deemed outstanding, suggesting a positive and supportive learning environment. Additionally, the report praised the school's outstanding personal development initiatives, which help students grow into well-rounded individuals.
The leadership and management at Sale Grammar School were found to be outstanding, demonstrating effective governance and a clear vision for the school's success. Furthermore, the sixth form provision was rated as outstanding, highlighting the school's commitment to providing high-quality education and support for students in their post-16 studies.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Sale Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.
| GCSE Subjects Offered |
|
|---|---|
| A-Level Subjects Offered |
|
GCSE & A-Level Performance
Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Sale Grammar School 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)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Arabic | 6 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 |
| Art & Design (Fine Art) | 23 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4 | 5 | 5 | 9 |
| Biology | 88 | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 11 | 15 | 23 | 36 |
| Business Studies:Single | 76 | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 22 |
| Chemistry | 88 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 6 | 15 | 29 | 35 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 50 | - | - | - | 2 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 5 |
| Design & Technology | 98 | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 13 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 17 |
| English Language | 188 | - | 1 | - | 1 | 5 | 16 | 40 | 47 | 52 | 26 |
| English Literature | 187 | - | - | - | 4 | 3 | 19 | 41 | 41 | 49 | 30 |
| D&T Food Technology | 39 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 6 |
| French | 93 | 1 | - | - | 6 | 5 | 15 | 13 | 28 | 10 | 15 |
| Geography | 79 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 4 | 9 | 24 | 14 | 24 |
| History | 86 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 21 | 22 | 21 |
| Mathematics | 188 | - | 1 | - | - | 5 | 16 | 38 | 39 | 55 | 34 |
| Music | 9 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Physics | 88 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 38 |
| Psychology | 72 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 33 |
| Religious Studies | 62 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 7 | 28 | 25 |
| Spanish | 92 | 4 | - | 1 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 11 | 14 |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | 26 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 41 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| Science: Double Award | 100 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 6 | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | 1 | |||
| Biology | 57 | - | 2 | 2 | 8 | 16 | 19 | 10 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 41 | - | - | - | 1 | 8 | 22 | 10 | |||
| Chemistry | 78 | - | 1 | 12 | 6 | 17 | 27 | 14 | |||
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 8 | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |||
| Economics | 50 | - | - | - | 4 | 18 | 22 | 6 | |||
| English Language | 13 | - | - | 2 | - | 4 | 4 | 3 | |||
| English Literature | 18 | - | - | - | 5 | 6 | 6 | 1 | |||
| Geography | 27 | - | - | 1 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 4 | |||
| Government and Politics | 18 | - | - | - | 1 | 6 | 6 | 5 | |||
| History | 24 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 6 | |||
| Mathematics | 83 | - | 1 | 8 | 9 | 21 | 26 | 17 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 6 | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | 4 | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 14 | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1 | - | |||
| Physics | 35 | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 8 | |||
| Psychology | 56 | - | - | 1 | 8 | 11 | 18 | 18 | |||
| Religious Studies | 20 | - | - | - | 2 | 6 | 10 | 2 | |||
| Sociology | 19 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 7 | 9 | |||
FAQ
Is Sale Grammar School hard to get into?
Yes, Sale Grammar School is hard to get into! Children need to pass their challenging 11+ entrance test (with a high pass mark) and there's tough competition with many other children trying to get a place for Year 7.
Is Sale Grammar School a private school?
No, Sale Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Sale Grammar School free?
Yes, Sale Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Sale Grammar School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Sale Grammar School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Sale Grammar School for how up to date information on how to apply (it may be automatic or it may require some forms to be filled in). More information on their 11+ entrance test can be found here.
