Urmston Grammar Academy 11+ Guide

About Urmston Grammar Academy

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

Nestled in the heart of Trafford, Greater Manchester, Urmston Grammar School is a beacon of academic excellence and holistic education. This co-educational institution has garnered an enviable reputation for its unwavering dedication to nurturing well-rounded individuals who are equipped to tackle the challenges of an ever-evolving world. With its Outstanding Ofsted rating, Urmston Grammar stands as a testament to the power of a comprehensive and engaging curriculum.

At Urmston Grammar, students are immersed in a rich tapestry of subjects, ranging from the analytical rigors of science and mathematics to the creative expressions of art and design technology. The school's commitment to academic excellence is evident in its impressive exam results, with a significant proportion of students achieving top grades at GCSE. These achievements are a reflection of the school's cohesive and supportive community, which fosters an environment conducive to personal growth and success.

Beyond the classroom, Urmston Grammar offers a wealth of extracurricular activities designed to cater to the diverse interests and passions of its students. From the melodic strains of the orchestra to the dramatic performances of the theatre troupe, from the exhilarating spikes of the volleyball team to the intellectual discourse of the public speaking club, there is no shortage of opportunities for students to explore and develop their talents. The school also encourages global citizenship through cross-border trips, exposing students to different cultures and perspectives.

Urmston Grammar's ethos is encapsulated in its motto, 'Manners makyth man', which emphasizes the importance of character development alongside academic achievement. The school actively promotes a culture of respect, inclusivity, and empathy, ensuring that students are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of an increasingly interconnected world. Through close collaboration with parents, Urmston Grammar cultivates a nurturing environment that enables students to thrive both socially and morally, equipping them with the resilience and adaptability necessary to overcome future challenges.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Urmston Grammar Academy together with their admissions contact details.

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:

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.

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.

Trafford 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

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

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

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 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)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, Urmston Grammar Academy has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

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 Urmston Grammar Academy which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.