How many places are available at Trafford grammar schools?

Each of the five Trafford grammars (AGSB, AGSG, Sale Grammar, Stretford Grammar, Loreto) admits roughly 120–180 students per year. With 2,000+ applicants per school in peak years, the effective pass rate is under 10%. Many successful students also score at the top of the GL Assessment distribution.

When should 11 Plus preparation start for Manchester grammar schools?

For AGSB and AGSG — the most competitive — most families begin focused preparation in Year 4. Year 5 is the standard starting point for the other three Trafford schools. Starting in September of Year 6 is possible but leaves less time for the GL Assessment Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning components, which are not taught in primary school and require significant practice.

11 Plus tutors Manchester: Trafford grammars, GL Assessment

Q: How much does an 11 Plus tutor in Manchester cost?

Specialist Trafford grammar tutors charge £30–£55 per hour. Tutors with a strong track record of successful grammar school placements often charge £40–£65 per hour. Online 11 Plus tutors typically charge £28–£50.

Greater Manchester's grammar school system is among the most competitive in England — centred on the Trafford grammar school consortium, the 11 Plus in this area is deeply familiar to families across the region. Demand for specialist preparation tutors who know the Trafford GL Assessment format is intense, and many families begin tutoring two or more years before the test.

Which grammar schools are in the Manchester area?

Altrincham Grammar School for Boys (AGSB) — one of England's most oversubscribed state grammars
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (AGSG) — equally competitive, consistently outstanding results
Sale Grammar School — co-educational, high demand from Sale, Timperley and Wythenshawe areas
Stretford Grammar School — co-educational, strong academic record
Loreto Grammar School (Altrincham) — Catholic selective school with separate admissions criteria

All five schools are in the London Borough of Trafford and use GL Assessment for the 11 Plus. Competition is intense — in peak years, more than 2,000 children compete for around 150 places at each school.

What does the Trafford 11 Plus involve?

GL Assessment format. The Trafford consortium uses GL Assessment — covering Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Maths and English. Not all components are equally weighted at all schools; check with the individual school.
Verbal Reasoning. Word relationships, analogies, letter sequences, coded sequences. Not taught in primary schools — requires specific practice.
Non-Verbal Reasoning. Pattern completion, matrices, spatial reasoning. Also not in the primary curriculum — children unfamiliar with the format need preparation time.
Maths. Beyond the Year 6 primary curriculum. Problem-solving, multi-step questions and speed under pressure.
English. Comprehension and grammar at an extended level.

When should preparation start?

For the most competitive Trafford grammars — AGSB and AGSG — most families begin focused preparation in Year 4 (age 8–9). Year 5 is the more common starting point for all five schools. Starting in Year 6 is possible but puts significant pressure on a child in the same year as primary school work and SATs.

How much does an 11 Plus tutor in Manchester cost?

Trafford 11 Plus tutors: £30–£55 per hour
Specialist tutors with Trafford grammar track record: £40–£65 per hour
Online 11 Plus tutors (Manchester-based): £28–£50 per hour

Find an 11 Plus tutor in Manchester

Or browse all tutors in Manchester.

Are you an 11 Plus tutor in Manchester?

Create your free TutorLab profile and reach Trafford and Greater Manchester families preparing for the grammar school 11 Plus — no agency fees, no commission.

11 Plus tutors in Manchester: Trafford grammars, test format and how to prepare