Sale Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Sale Grammar School

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

Nestled in the heart of Trafford, Greater Manchester, Sale Grammar School is a beacon of academic excellence and personal growth. This co-educational institution boasts an impressive array of modern facilities across various disciplines, including science, mathematics, and physical education. With a commitment to providing a well-rounded education, Sale Grammar School offers students an enriching learning experience that extends far beyond the classroom walls.

The school's comprehensive curriculum is thoughtfully designed and expertly delivered, ensuring that students receive engaging and interactive lessons that foster their intellectual curiosity and enhance their skills across a wide range of subjects. From the intricacies of language to the wonders of the scientific world, Sale Grammar School equips its pupils with the knowledge and tools necessary to excel in their chosen fields.

Beyond the academic realm, Sale Grammar School offers a diverse array of extracurricular activities that cater to the varied interests and talents of its students. From the strategic challenges of chess to the physical rigors of fitness training, and from the creative outlets of community art to the intellectual stimulation of public speaking, there is something for everyone at Sale Grammar School. These activities not only provide students with opportunities to explore their passions but also help them develop essential life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience.

At the heart of Sale Grammar School lies a nurturing and supportive community that prioritizes the well-being and personal growth of each individual student. The school's dedicated pastoral staff works tirelessly to create a positive and inclusive environment where students feel valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential. Through a combination of individual attention and collective endeavors, Sale Grammar School fosters a sense of belonging and empowers its students to become confident, compassionate, and socially responsible citizens.

With its outstanding academic record, vibrant extracurricular program, and unwavering commitment to student welfare, Sale Grammar School is indeed a happy and vibrant place to be. It is no wonder that the school consistently produces impressive exam results and sends its graduates on to successful and fulfilling lives beyond its walls. For those seeking an exceptional education in a nurturing and inspiring environment, Sale Grammar School is the perfect choice.

School Information

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

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:

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.

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.

Trafford 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

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

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

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 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)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are all available past 11+ papers for Sale Grammar School. Please note that this may include past 11+ 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 that Sale Grammar School chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

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.