Complete list of all 7 selective grammar schools across Trafford, Greater Manchester. School details, 11 Plus test information for the consortium and Catholic schools, addresses, qualifying scores, and preparation advice.
Trafford is one of the few areas in Greater Manchester retaining a fully selective grammar school system with 7 schools. The Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium covers 5 non-denominational schools sharing a single GL Assessment test, while 2 Catholic schools — Loreto Grammar and Saint Ambrose College — set their own entrance exams.
The consortium test uses GL Assessment with two multiple-choice papers covering Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The qualifying standardised score is typically around 321–334. Children sit the test once and results apply to all five consortium schools. Catholic schools test separately with faith-based admissions criteria.
Every selective grammar school in Trafford, grouped by area. Includes addresses, Year 7 intake numbers, test routes, and key information for 11 Plus families.
Founded in 1912 as Altrincham County High School for Boys. Academy trust school and part of the Trafford Consortium. Consistently high-performing with strong STEM and sport traditions. Received funding from the Selective Schools Expansion Fund to increase places. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted. The largest boys' intake in the consortium at 202 places.
Founded in 1910 and part of the Bright Futures Educational Trust. One of the oldest girls' grammar schools in the area, built on the site of Bowdon Lodge under the Education Act 1902. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Strong academic results with excellent university progression. The largest PAN in the consortium at 204 places.
Founded in 1909 by the Sisters of Loreto (Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary). Catholic girls' grammar school with faith criteria — baptised Catholic applicants are prioritised. Has its own separate entrance exam and is NOT part of the Trafford Consortium. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Candidates must register and sit this exam separately from the consortium test.
Founded in 1946 and run by the Edmund Rice Schools Trust. Catholic boys' grammar school with faith criteria — baptised Catholic boys are given priority. Has its own separate entrance exam covering VR (GL Assessment), plus school-set English and Maths papers. NOT part of the Trafford Consortium. Strong sporting tradition, particularly rugby.
Formed in 1991 by the merger of Sale Boys' Grammar School and Sale Girls' Grammar School, officially opened by Princess Alexandra. The only co-educational grammar school in the Trafford Consortium. Academy converter since 2011. Priority catchment postcodes include M33, WA14, WA15, and Trafford residents in M23. Strong community reputation and consistently high results.
Founded in 1928 as a boys' school (girls' school opened 1923 separately), merged into a co-educational grammar in 1986. Located in the northern part of Trafford. Priority catchment postcodes include M32, M33, M41, M15, M16, and M21 — making it more accessible for families in central/north Trafford and south Manchester. Part of the Trafford Consortium.
Roots dating back to 1882, with the present site established in 1923. Boys' and girls' schools operated separately from the 1960s before full re-amalgamation in 1991. Co-educational academy located in the western part of the borough. Part of the Trafford Consortium with one of the smaller intakes at 150 places.
Eleven Ace offers personalised 1:1 live online tuition, small 4-student batch classes, and realistic mock exams — covering both the Trafford Consortium test and Catholic school entrance exams.
Personalised online tuition from Eleven Ace — helping Trafford families prepare for grammar school entrance with expert 1:1 classes, small group sessions, and realistic mock exams.
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