Loreto Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Loreto Grammar School

Loreto Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Greater Manchester. For children to get into Loreto Grammar School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Loreto Grammar School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the heart of Altrincham, Loreto Grammar School is a beacon of academic excellence for girls. This esteemed Catholic institution boasts an impressive global network, with over 120 sister schools spanning across continents, fostering a rich tapestry of cultural exchange and international understanding. At Loreto, students are encouraged to embrace diversity and cultivate a deep respect for those from all walks of life, creating an inclusive and vibrant community that celebrates individual differences.

The school's comprehensive curriculum is thoughtfully designed to ignite a passion for learning and equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world. From the intricacies of language and the depths of social sciences to the cutting-edge realm of technology, Loreto's dedicated staff deliver engaging and challenging lessons that inspire girls to reach their full potential. By placing a strong emphasis on academic rigour and personal growth, the school empowers its students to become confident, independent thinkers who are ready to make their mark on the world.

Beyond the classroom, Loreto Grammar School offers an extensive array of extracurricular activities that cater to a wide range of interests and talents. From the Environmental Group, which nurtures a deep appreciation for the natural world, to the Philosophy Film Club, which encourages critical thinking and intellectual curiosity, students have ample opportunities to explore their passions and develop new skills. The school's commitment to personal development extends to its sports programmes, with tennis being a particular highlight, allowing girls to build physical prowess, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Loreto Grammar School's unwavering dedication to excellence is reflected in its outstanding examination results and the glowing praise it has received from Ofsted. The regulatory body commended the school for its ability to foster self-motivation, independence, and a determination to strive for personal best among its students. With a culture of achievement that permeates every aspect of school life, Loreto Grammar School is an inspiring and nurturing environment where girls can flourish academically, socially, and emotionally, preparing them to become the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.

School Information

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

Loreto Grammar School 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 1,034 pupils attend Loreto Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mrs Jane Beever.

Loreto Grammar School Location

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

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

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

Loreto Grammar School 11+ Information

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

Loreto Grammar School 11+ Subjects & Structure

The Loreto Grammar School 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English
• Verbal Reasoning
• Maths

The 11 plus exam for admission to Loreto Grammar School consists of three papers: English, verbal reasoning, and maths. The English and verbal reasoning papers are provided by GL Assessment, a well-known 11 plus exam provider, and feature multiple-choice questions. The maths paper, on the other hand, is created by the school's staff.

The English paper assesses a range of skills, including reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and punctuation, all of which align with the Key Stage 2 national curriculum. The verbal reasoning paper tests a child's ability to apply logic and solve problems using written information, such as letters, words, symbols, and numbers. This section is not part of the national curriculum, so it may be unfamiliar to some students.

The maths paper covers topics taught in school up to and including Year 5. Success in the 11 plus exam at Loreto Grammar School requires a solid foundation in these three subjects, as well as the ability to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Loreto Grammar School 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Loreto 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!

Loreto Grammar School 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Loreto Grammar School 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 Loreto Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Loreto Grammar School 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Loreto Grammar School 11+ tests (to get into Loreto Grammar School) 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 Loreto Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Loreto Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 28/09/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 09/11/2022, 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

Loreto Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 28 September 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 achievements across all aspects of education. Loreto Grammar School provides an excellent learning environment that fosters academic excellence, positive behaviour, and personal growth among its students.

The Outstanding rating is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the school's staff, students, and leadership team. Loreto Grammar School sets a high standard for educational institutions and serves as a model for delivering top-quality education and support to its students.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Loreto 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)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, Loreto Grammar School has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use our 11+ practice papers to help your child prepare.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Loreto Grammar School 11+ Ensure you double-check with Loreto Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.