Urmston Grammar Academy 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Urmston Grammar Academy.
How to get into Urmston Grammar Academy
Urmston Grammar Academy is a selective secondary school in Greater Manchester. To get into Urmston Grammar Academy children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Urmston Grammar Academy 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). Urmston Grammar Academy is a highly successful co-educational selective academy offering 150 places annually for Year 7 admission (see school information section).
All candidates must take the Trafford 11+ examination and achieve the required qualifying score. The qualifying mark for Trafford Grammar Schools is usually at least 324 and sometimes 334. The school is popular and often oversubscribed, with places offered based on performance and proximity.
- Children must be 11 years of age by 1st September 2025
- Must achieve the qualifying score of 334 or above in the Trafford 11+ examination
- Families living in M41 and M31 postcodes receive priority for admission (see school information section)
- Must be named as a preference on the Local Authority Common Application Form
Application Process
Families must complete two separate applications for their child to be considered for admission. Registration for the Trafford 11+ opens on Thursday 25th April 2025 and closes at midday on Friday 20th June 2025 (see key dates). The application process involves several key steps that must be completed within specific timeframes.
Families must visit the Urmston Grammar Academy website and complete the online registration form by mid-June (see key dates). Parents also need to complete a Local Authority Common Application Form where Urmston Grammar should be listed in ranked order of preference.
- Step 1: Complete online registration for the 11+ examination on the school website by 20th June 2025 (see key dates)
- Step 2: Submit Local Authority Common Application Form naming Urmston Grammar as a preference
- Step 3: Application deadline is 31st October 2025 (see key dates) through the home council website
- Step 4: Examination results will be received in mid-October (see key dates)
- Contact details available in the school information section for specific queries
Examination Information
Urmston Grammar Academy is a member of the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium, with all five grammar schools using the same 11+ exam, meaning children only take the exam once regardless of how many Consortium schools they apply to. The exam takes place on Monday 15th September 2025 (see key dates).
The examination consists of two one-hour papers taken on the same day with a short break in-between. Urmston Grammar uses papers created by GL Assessment, with each paper lasting approximately one hour. The papers are entirely multiple-choice and consist of questions in mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning.
- Mathematics: Problem-solving abilities and arithmetic skills including number, measurement, geometry, algebra and statistics
- Verbal Reasoning: Logical thinking, use of English language and vocabulary, including comprehension questions
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Understanding, interpreting and problem-solving using logic and intelligence, including spatial reasoning questions
- All content based on Key Stage 2 national curriculum and beyond
Oversubscription Criteria
When the number of children who meet the qualifying standard exceeds available places, Urmston Grammar Academy applies oversubscription criteria. In recent years, the school has been significantly oversubscribed for Year 7 places. Places are allocated according to a specific priority order system.
Priority is given first to children with an Education Health Care Plan naming Urmston Grammar who achieve the qualifying score, followed by Looked After and previously Looked After children. Twenty places are allocated to the highest-scoring candidates regardless of where they live.
- Category A: Children with Education Health Care Plans naming the school who achieve qualifying scores
- Category A:Looked After and previously Looked After children
- Category B:20 highest-scoring candidates regardless of residence location
- Category C: Children with siblings attending the school in Years 7-11
- Category D: Children of Urmston Grammar staff members with permanent contracts of at least eight years
- Category E:120 places offered based on distance from home to school, with M41 and M31 postcodes prioritised (see school information section)
Preparation Guidance
Families should begin preparation at least one year in advance of the examination date (see key dates). Building a good knowledge base before the 11+ is important, using a 'little and often' approach with regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes for children aged 10-11.
Children who score 75-80% consistently in practice tests should be on track to pass the Urmston Grammar Academy 11+ test, though this is not a guarantee. Preparation should cover all exam content including a wide range of learning objectives from the Key Stage 2 national curriculum and beyond.
- Start preparation 12 months before the examination date (see key dates)
- Use 20-30 minute study sessions with regular breaks
- Cover all subjects: mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning
- Practice with 11+ practice papers to build familiarity
- Consider professional 11+ tutoring support for targeted preparation
- Access familiarisation materials available on the school website [1]
Examination Day Preparation
Families will receive detailed examination information by Thursday 4th September 2025 (see key dates) including attendance slip and special circumstances form. Children must bring specific documentation on examination day and should arrive well-prepared both mentally and physically.
The examination experience can be challenging for children, so families should prepare them for a formal testing environment. Children will sit two papers on the same day with a short break between sessions. Creating a calm and supportive atmosphere before and during examination day helps reduce anxiety.
- Ensure child has good night's sleep before examination day
- Provide healthy breakfast and arrive at test centre early
- Bring required attendance form with photograph attached
- Pack pencils, erasers, and water bottle as permitted
- Practice time management skills during preparation period
- Discuss examination format so child knows what to expect
- Encourage calm and confident mindset on examination day
Alternative School Options
Families should research multiple school options in Greater Manchester as backup choices. The Trafford Grammar School Consortium comprises Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Sale Grammar School, Stretford Grammar School and Urmston Grammar School. These schools share the same examination system.
Consider both grammar and comprehensive schools when completing application forms. Children only need to sit one examination to apply to multiple Consortium schools. This provides families with several grammar school options using the same test results.
- Other Trafford Grammar Schools: Altrincham Grammar (Boys and Girls), Sale Grammar, Stretford Grammar
- Independent Grammar Schools: Loreto Grammar School, St Ambrose College (separate examinations required)
- High-performing Comprehensive Schools in Trafford and Manchester areas
- Faith Schools with selective or partially selective admission
- Research catchment areas and admission criteria for each preferred school
- Complete applications for multiple schools to maximise opportunities
Key Contact Information
For specific queries about the admissions process, families should contact the school directly using the official channels. School admissions personnel cannot engage in telephone conversations about any aspect of the admission process, and queries should be emailed to admissions@urmstongrammar.org.uk with responses within five working days.
Additional support and detailed information can be found through official school channels and local authority resources. Families requiring special considerations should complete appropriate forms and submit them with their applications well before deadlines.
Trafford 11+ Information
In order to get into Urmston Grammar Academy, 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 Urmston Grammar School. This comprehensive evaluation consists of two papers, each lasting one hour, with a brief intermission between them. The exam format is entirely multiple-choice, ensuring a standardized and efficient assessment process.
The exam covers three key areas: Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-verbal Reasoning. The Maths section is based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum, testing the applicants' numerical skills and problem-solving abilities. Verbal Reasoning assesses the children's capacity to solve problems using written information and includes reading comprehension tasks. Non-verbal Reasoning challenges the applicants to tackle problems using visual information, such as shapes, diagrams, and pictures.
By evaluating a wide range of skills and knowledge, the Trafford 11 plus exam provides a comprehensive assessment of the applicants' academic potential. Successful performance in this exam is essential for securing a place at Urmston Grammar School, a highly sought-after educational institution.
Other Schools using Trafford 11+
As well as Urmston Grammar Academy, several other schools also use Trafford 11+. These are:
- Altrincham Grammar School for Boys
- Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
- Sale Grammar School
- Stretford Grammar School
Trafford 11+ Marking Process
The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the Urmston Grammar Academy 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Urmston Grammar Academy) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 24/04/2025 | Trafford 11 Plus Registration Opens At Midday | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 18/06/2025 | Urmston Grammar School Open Evening | |
| 20/06/2025 | Trafford 11 Plus Registration Closes At Midday | |
| 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 Urmston Grammar Academy as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for Urmston Grammar Academy
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 Urmston Grammar Academy 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy
Unfortunately, Urmston Grammar Academy has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.
11+ Practice Papers for Urmston Grammar Academy
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 Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy.
| 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 Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy.
| 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 Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy.
| 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 Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | Urmston Grammar Academy, Newton Road, Urmston, Manchester, M41 5UG |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.urmstongrammar.org.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01617482875 |
| Email Address | admissions@urmstongrammar.org.uk |
| Gender | Mixed (both girls and boys) |
| Total Year 7 Places | 150 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1100 (490 Girls / 610 Boys) |
| Principal | Mrs Riffat Wall |
Urmston Grammar Academy 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 1,100 pupils attend Urmston Grammar Academy and it's led by the Principal, Mrs Riffat Wall.
Urmston Grammar Academy Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
Urmston Grammar Academy was last inspected by Ofsted on 24/05/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 21/09/2022, declaring that the school was 'Good'. 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 | 24/05/2022 | 1 | 21/09/2022 | Good | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
Urmston Grammar Academy was inspected by Ofsted on 24 May 2022 and received an overall rating of Good. The school was judged to be Good in all areas, including Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, Leadership and management, and Sixth form provision.
This positive outcome reflects the school's commitment to providing a high-quality education for its students. The inspection report highlights the strengths of Urmston Grammar Academy across various aspects of its educational provision, demonstrating the effectiveness of its teaching, student support, and leadership.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy 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 | ||
| Art & Design (Fine Art) | 19 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 5 |
| Biology | 70 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 10 | 18 | 11 | 28 |
| Business Studies:Single | 52 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 11 | 16 | 10 | 12 |
| Chemistry | 69 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 10 | 16 | 14 | 23 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 33 | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 3 |
| Design & Technology | 19 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 3 | - |
| English Language | 151 | - | - | - | - | 7 | 13 | 47 | 45 | 24 | 15 |
| English Literature | 150 | - | - | - | - | 6 | 19 | 29 | 50 | 33 | 13 |
| D&T Food Technology | 11 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 5 | 5 |
| French | 68 | - | - | - | 2 | - | 2 | 14 | 13 | 21 | 16 |
| Geography | 70 | - | - | - | - | - | 4 | 6 | 22 | 18 | 20 |
| German | 85 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 5 |
| History | 75 | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 26 | 21 | 9 |
| Mathematics | 152 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 11 | 22 | 42 | 44 | 30 |
| Music | 11 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Art & Design (Photography) | 8 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Physics | 70 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 8 | 17 | 11 | 28 |
| Religious Studies | 39 | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 10 |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | 10 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 24 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Science: Double Award | 80 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Art and Design | 6 | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Biology | 81 | - | 1 | 10 | 13 | 31 | 22 | 3 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 45 | - | - | 4 | 6 | 20 | 10 | 5 | |||
| Chemistry | 74 | - | 7 | 12 | 13 | 18 | 22 | 2 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 8 | - | - | 3 | 2 | - | 2 | 1 | |||
| Economics | 24 | - | - | 1 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 2 | |||
| English Language | 12 | - | - | - | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |||
| English Literature | 13 | - | - | - | 3 | 6 | 4 | - | |||
| Geography | 11 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |||
| Government and Politics | 13 | - | - | - | - | 9 | 2 | 1 | |||
| History | 20 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 12 | 4 | 1 | |||
| Mathematics | 86 | - | 5 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 28 | 12 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 12 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |||
| Physics | 28 | - | 2 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 1 | |||
| Psychology | 43 | - | 1 | 3 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 5 | |||
| Sociology | 21 | - | - | - | 2 | 7 | 11 | 1 | |||
FAQ
Is Urmston Grammar Academy hard to get into?
Yes, Urmston Grammar Academy 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 Urmston Grammar Academy a private school?
No, Urmston Grammar Academy is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Urmston Grammar Academy free?
Yes, Urmston Grammar Academy is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Urmston Grammar Academy won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Urmston Grammar Academy?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Urmston Grammar Academy 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.
