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Frequently Asked Questions 2024

1.

Which Trafford Grammar Schools are part of the Consortium?

The TGSC are using the same entrance exam are Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Sale Grammar School, Stretford Grammar School and Urmston Grammar.  Consequently your child can only sit the exam at one allocated centre. 

Please note, Loreto Grammar School and St Ambrose Grammar School are NOT part of the Consortium and do not do the same examination

2.

When is the closing date for applications?

The closing date is 12 noon on Friday 21st June 2024; please apply preferably well before this date.  Please note this is a strict deadline and no further applications can be made after this date.  If the closing date is missed the next examination date will be after National Allocation Day which is 1st March 2025.

3.

How many questions/sections are there?

There are two papers, each administered in approximately one hour.  The papers contain questions which assess Verbal, Non-Verbal and Mathematical skills.  Please refer to the familiarisation materials available on our websites.  The number of questions and theoretical maximum mark information is not released to the school in advance.

4.

How are the three skills combined?

Information regarding examination scripts is confidential; all applicants have access to the familiarisation materials available on our websites ensuring fair access to all information available.

Examination content is confidential, to protect the integrity of the exam, and is supplied to school with a confidentiality provision – Stretford Grammar School cannot disclose information about the exam.

5.

What if my child needs to go to the toilet during the exam?

They can go to the toilet during the exam but no extra time is given to compensate this.  Your child will be able to access the toilet during the break.  If a visit is required during the exam no extra time will be added.

6.

Do the entrance exams take into account my child’s age?

Yes, the results are age standardised.

7.

When will the standardised mark be available?

The exam result will be communicated to parents no later than 31st October 2024 via the Admissions Portal – an e-mail will be sent advising when they are available.  A breakdown of score by paper or exam result will not be available.

8.

Is it possible for my child to pass the entrance exam for one school, but not the others?

Yes.  Although the entrance exam will be the same for each school, and the exam result will be the same, the standardised score may be different.  This is because the same exam results are being used in the standardisation of a different cohort of children.

9.

What if my child requires special arrangements?       

You must inform us at the point of application of any special arrangements your child will require during the entrance exam.  Please provide official supporting documentation for such requests with your online application. All documentation MUST BE received by noon on Friday 21st June 2024.

10

What if my child is ill on the day?

If your child is ill immediately prior to or on the day of the exam, do not bring them.  Please complete the Special Circumstances Form and return for the attention of the Admissions Officer, together with any other supporting documentation, by Thursday 19th September 2024 and we can then advise you if there is an alternative date.

11

What other information can I provide you with for your consideration at the time of the examination?

Please complete the Special Circumstances Form and return for the attention of the Admissions Officer, together with any supporting documentation, by Friday 19th September 2024.  Include anything you consider may have/has affected your child should be submitted.

12

Do I need to make the school first preference on the CAF?

If your child meets the admission criteria for more than one of your chosen schools the LA will allocate your child to the school of highest preference.  If your child passes more than one Grammar School entrance exam please ensure you rank them in your preferred order.  For further advice on completing the Common Application Form (CAF) please contact your home Local Authority or the school.

13

What is a looked after child?

A looked after child is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority, in the exercise of their social services functions (as defined in Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989). Previously Looked After Children are children who were looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted or became subject to a child arrangements order or special guardianship order.

3Section 14A of the Children Act 1989 defines a ‘special guardianship order’ as an order appointing one or more individuals to be a child’s special guardian (or special guardians).  

Children who have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. A child is regarded as having been in state care in a place outside of England if they were accommodated by a public authority, a religious organisation or any other provider of care whose sole purpose is to benefit society.

14

What is Pupil Premium and Service Premium?

A pupil Premium are those pupils who have received funding for free school meals at any point in the last 6 years or who are currently eligible for free school meals.  The Service Premium is designed to support children with parents serving in the regular British Armed Forces.  Pupils attract the premium if they meet the following criteria:

  1. One of their parents is serving in the regular armed forces
  2. One of their parents served in the regular armed forces in the last 3 years or one of their parents died while serving in the armed forces
  3. The pupil is in receipt of a pension under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and the War Pension Scheme (WPS).

 15

My child has been successful in the entrance exam but not offered a place; can they be placed onto the waiting list?

Yes, please contact School Admissions at Trafford Local Authority after your allocation letter has been received or the Admissions Officer at Stretford Grammar School.  admissions@stretfordgrammar.com

16

What is the qualifying score?

As previously advised in point 8 your child may achieve a different qualifying score for each of the schools even though they have only sat one examination exam. 

The minimum qualifying score for each of the schools are as follows:

Altrincham Grammar School for Boys            334

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls            334

Sale Grammar School                                             334

Stretford Grammar School                                   334

Urmston Grammar                                                   334

17

What happens after students have qualified and been offered a place?

In March 2025, students will be advised which school they have been allocated by the Local Authority and further details will also be sent from the relevant school.

18

How do I appeal if I do not get the school I want?

The Governors arrange an independent panel which will consider any statutory appeals.  If we do not offer your child a place you have the right of appeal.  Details of the appeals procedure are available on request from the Admissions Officer.