UK Rank #31 In-site school
Altrincham Grammar School for Boys
Altrincham, Trafford
Ofsted: Outstanding Boys only
Consortium guide
Trafford 11 Plus
The Trafford 11 Plus route links several grammar schools across Trafford and south Manchester. The shared GL-style test covers verbal, non-verbal and maths skills, but the school list includes different boys', girls', mixed and faith-linked contexts. The route is most useful when the exam, key dates, school types, admissions policies and daily travel corridors are seen together rather than treated as one interchangeable Trafford option.
7 schools GL Assessment / Individual 17 downloads
5 key dates
01 / Route overview
What this route covers
Trafford is one of the best-known selective areas in the North West, but the name “Trafford 11 Plus” can make the route sound tidier than it feels on the ground. The grammar schools sit across Altrincham, Sale, Stretford, Urmston and nearby parts of south Manchester, and the school group includes boys’, girls’, mixed and faith-linked contexts. The route is shared enough to research as one landscape, but school-level admissions still matter.
The main Trafford test route is GL Assessment-style, with papers covering maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. The questions are multiple choice and include reasoning content that is not simply a repeat of the normal primary curriculum. The exam is usually described as two papers, each with a mixture of mathematical, verbal and non-verbal reasoning tasks.
The complication is not only the exam. Trafford is a commuter-heavy area, and a school that looks close by distance can feel very different once the morning route, public transport, traffic and after-school travel are added. Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Sale Grammar, Stretford Grammar and Urmston Grammar do not create the same daily life. Faith-linked options in the wider Trafford grammar conversation add another layer of school-specific checking.
The route is best understood as a shared entrance framework followed by individual school decisions. A qualifying score or strong result keeps schools in play; it does not erase oversubscription rules, distance patterns or the question of which school environment actually fits. This page keeps those layers visible: test provider, paper content, school list, geography and admissions after the result.
Schools using this route
These are the schools currently linked to the Trafford route.
UK Rank #13 In-site school
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
Altrincham, Trafford
Ofsted: Outstanding Girls only
UK Rank #84 In-site school
Loreto Grammar School
Altrincham, Trafford
Ofsted: Outstanding Girls only
UK Rank #45 In-site school
Saint Ambrose College
Altrincham, Trafford
Ofsted: Good Boys only
UK Rank #43 In-site school
Sale Grammar School
Sale, Trafford
Ofsted: Outstanding Mixed
UK Rank #64 In-site school
Stretford Grammar School
Manchester, Trafford
Ofsted: Good Mixed
UK Rank #94 In-site school
Urmston Grammar Academy
Manchester, Trafford
Ofsted: Good Mixed
02 / Selection test
Exam format and structure
The Trafford 11 Plus includes multiple choice papers in maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. They are designed to assess your child’s academic ability and reasoning skills, and compare their results against their cohort of applicants.
Paper structure
Both Papers (GL Assessment)
See the papers and topics below.
What the test covers
Based on Year 5 and early Year 6 curriculum topics, with a focus on applying knowledge to unfamiliar problem-solving questions
Includes codes, sequences and logic using words, letters and symbols
Not included on the national curriculum
Focuses on patterns, shapes, sequences and 3D spatial awareness
Both papers are sat on the same day with a short break between them. Both papers will consist of a mixture of verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning and last around an hour in length. They start with an introduction and some practice questions.
03 / Scoring
Pass mark and score guidance
Your child’s Trafford 11 Plus Test raw mark is age-standardised to ensure that younger age on the date of sitting does not cause unfair advantages. Each child receives a final score is calculated using a weighting system.
Every year a minimum total weighted score or qualifying standard is determined based on a set proportion of the total number of children attending Trafford schools getting a place. This number becomes the cut off for the highest scoring children who take the test.
04 / Applications
Key dates and how to apply
To register your child for the Trafford 11 Plus, complete the online application on the council website. This is required whether you live in Trafford or are applying from outside the area.
Key dates
Registration opens
Thursday 24th April 2025
Registration closes
Friday 20th June 2025
Trafford 11 Plus Exam Date
Monday 15th September 2025
Secondary school application deadline
Friday 31st October 2025
National offer day
Monday 2nd March 2026
Application steps
Register online with the Trafford 11 Plus Form
Visit the school’s website or council website to fill out the registration form during the registration window. You’ll need to provide your child’s details and the primary school they attend.
Test centre for non-Trafford schools
You will be assigned a test centre where your child can sit the Trafford 11 Plus in September if they do not attend a Trafford primary school.
Keep your confirmation email
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email which you should keep to refer to it later.
05 / Resources
Practice papers and familiarisation materials
These local PDF copies are useful for format practice and timing; dates, paper formats, and registration details can change, so the current admissions page remains the source to trust.
Maths
Non-Verbal Reasoning
PaperNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths Practice Paper 1
Mark schemeNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths Practice Paper 1
PaperNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths Test Booklet
Mark schemeNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning and Maths Test Booklet
PaperNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning Test Booklet 1
Mark schemeNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning Test Booklet 1
PaperNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning Test Booklet 2
PaperNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Non-Verbal Reasoning Test Booklet 3
Verbal Reasoning
PaperVerbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Verbal Reasoning Paper 1
Mark schemeVerbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Verbal Reasoning Paper 1
PaperVerbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Verbal Reasoning Paper 2
PaperVerbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Verbal Reasoning Paper 3
PaperVerbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Verbal Skills Paper
Mark schemeVerbal Reasoning
GL Assessment Verbal Skills Paper
06 / Linked schools
Schools on this route
These are the schools currently mapped to the Trafford route in Grammar School Hub.
Search workspace
Search and filter schools
Search by school or area, then narrow the shortlist by school type, Ofsted, or test pattern where it helps.
Compare up to 4 schools
7 schools
Assessment type
No schools selected to compare yet.
UK Rank #31
Altrincham Grammar School for Boys
Altrincham / Trafford
Ofsted: OutstandingBoys only
- Assessment
- GL Assessment
- Competition
- High
- Attainment 8
- 78.5
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 100.0%
UK Rank #13
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
Altrincham / Trafford
Ofsted: OutstandingGirls only
- Assessment
- GL Assessment
- Competition
- 7.3 candidates/place
- Attainment 8
- 80.6
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 100.0%
UK Rank #45
Saint Ambrose College
Altrincham / Trafford
Ofsted: GoodBoys only
- Assessment
- GL Assessment, Individual
- Competition
- High
- Attainment 8
- 76.2
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 100.0%
UK Rank #84
Loreto Grammar School
Altrincham / Trafford
Ofsted: OutstandingGirls only
- Assessment
- GL Assessment
- Competition
- Moderate
- Attainment 8
- 73.7
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 96.8%
UK Rank #43
Sale Grammar School
Sale / Trafford
Ofsted: OutstandingMixed
- Assessment
- GL Assessment
- Competition
- High
- Attainment 8
- 76.1
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 100.0%
UK Rank #64
Stretford Grammar School
Manchester / Trafford
Ofsted: GoodMixed
- Assessment
- GL Assessment
- Competition
- Very High
- Attainment 8
- 74.4
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 100.0%
UK Rank #94
Urmston Grammar Academy
Manchester / Trafford
Ofsted: GoodMixed
- Assessment
- GL Assessment
- Competition
- High
- Attainment 8
- 71.7
- Grade 5+ Eng & maths
- 98.0%
07 / Shortlisting
Admissions points to compare school by school
Once the route itself is clear, treat the linked schools as separate choices. This is usually where travel, oversubscription rules, and school fit start to matter most.
Trafford is not one flat selective map. The shared test names the route; the school choice changes between Altrincham, Sale, Stretford, Urmston, Loreto and Saint Ambrose by journey, school type and admissions rules.
Check these before you rank schools
- Whether your practical route is Altrincham, Sale, Stretford, Urmston, or another local corridor
- Boys', girls', and mixed options across Trafford and which environment suits your child
- How a qualifying score interacts with school-specific admissions rules after the test
- Whether the daily trip still feels sensible once south Manchester traffic and timing are made real
08 / Preparation
How to prepare for this route
Supporting your child’s preparation for the Trafford 11 Plus makes a huge difference. Here are some practical steps you can take to help them succeed:
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5 to give them ample time to confidently build the skills they need.
Use Practice Papers
Work through Trafford 11 Plus-style 11 Plus test papers in simulated test conditions. This helps your child get accustomed to the format and practices exam technique.
Focus on Weak Areas
Track your child’s progress to identify the areas and topics they find the most difficult to succeed in.
Encourage Daily Reading
Reading regularly strengthens their vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills, which help out with the the English and reasoning papers.
Try Online Tools
Use online platforms that offer Trafford 11 Plus test papers specific practice questions and personal feedback to help make revision more engaging and effective.
Keeping preparation consistent, structured, and positive can help your child feel confident and ready for the test on the day.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which Trafford schools sit in this route?
The Trafford route brings together the Altrincham, Sale, Stretford, Urmston and faith-linked grammar options families often compare around south Manchester.
Can Trafford grammar eligibility still leave different school outcomes?
Yes. Eligibility keeps the Trafford route open, but boys', girls', mixed and faith-linked schools can use different admissions criteria and sit on different daily travel corridors.
Why is Trafford more than one school type?
The Trafford grammar conversation includes boys', girls', mixed and faith-linked contexts across different towns and corridors. The shared test route explains the assessment, but each school still has its own admissions detail and daily journey.
Who usually manages registration or applications for Trafford?
The live process usually sits with the Trafford grammar schools and the local authority process. The official pages remain the source of truth for registration windows, test venues, access arrangements and final admissions instructions for the relevant year.