The Trafford 11+: Timelines, Deadlines & What Parents Can’t Afford to Miss

12/12/2025 / 11+ Tuition

Preparing for the Trafford 11+ is a journey that requires both foresight and discipline. While academic preparation often takes centre stage, the reality is that organisation and timing are equally vital. Every year, some parents discover too late that they missed a crucial registration date or misunderstood how the local authority application system works. With competition for places so fierce, even small errors can have lasting consequences. By mapping out the process early and keeping track of deadlines, families can focus on what really matters: helping their child approach the exam with confidence and clarity.

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Understanding the Trafford Grammar School Admissions Process

Trafford stands out for having seven grammar schools within one local authority, each with its own ethos, admissions policy, and level of competitiveness. Five of these—Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Sale Grammar School, Stretford Grammar, and Urmston Grammar—form the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium and share a single 11+ examination, set by GL Assessment. A pupil who sits this test can be considered for any of the consortium schools, though each institution applies its own cut-off scores and oversubscription rules when places are oversubscribed.

Alongside these, Loreto Grammar School (for girls) and St Ambrose College (for boys) run entirely separate entrance exams, requiring parents to complete additional registrations and follow their distinct admissions procedures.

The application process begins formally in Year 5, when parents must register their child either for the consortium exam or for the individual assessments at Loreto and St Ambrose. The tests are held in September of Year 6 and assess a wide range of abilities, including mathematics, comprehension, vocabulary, and non-verbal reasoning. These papers are designed not only to measure knowledge but also to evaluate reasoning skills, speed, and accuracy under pressure.

Strong results, however, do not guarantee a place. Each school applies its own admissions criteria, which may include living within a defined catchment area, giving priority to siblings, or in some cases allocating places randomly once qualifying scores have been achieved. For this reason, parents need to be as familiar with school policies as they are with the exam itself.

Looking at historical cut-off scores and studying the way each school allocates places helps set realistic expectations and prevents disappointment later in the process. Understanding these nuances early allows families to plan effectively, balance their child’s preparation with the demands of the timetable, and avoid unwelcome surprises when offers are announced in March.

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Key Dates Parents Must Track

The Trafford 11+ follows a strict timetable, and missing even one stage can mean losing out completely. The process begins with registration, which usually opens during the spring term of Year 5. Parents are given only a short window—often no more than a few weeks—to complete and submit the online form for their chosen grammar schools. This step is absolutely non-negotiable: if the registration form is not completed within the set dates, a child will not be permitted to sit the exam, regardless of ability. Each year, families who might otherwise have been successful find themselves excluded simply because they overlooked this early deadline.

Once registration is completed, families receive confirmation of their child’s exam date. For the consortium schools, the assessment is usually scheduled for September of Year 6, while Loreto Grammar and St Ambrose College set their own dates around the same period. The timing means that the long summer holiday often becomes the final window for structured revision, timed practice, and building exam stamina. However, it is important for parents to approach this carefully. While this period can be a valuable opportunity to consolidate learning, overloading children with too much work can be counterproductive. A balance between focused preparation and rest helps ensure that children enter the exam room confident rather than fatigued.

The release of results in early to mid-October marks the next decisive stage. Families are sent their child’s scores, usually with an indication of whether the result is likely to be strong enough to secure a place at each school. However, achieving the required standard is not the same as being guaranteed admission. This is where the national secondary school application process becomes critical. Parents must complete the local authority preference form by 31 October, listing schools in the order they genuinely wish their child to attend. Grammar schools must be included on this form—simply passing the 11+ does not automatically trigger an application. Each year, families miss out on places because they forget or misunderstand how to rank schools, leaving grammar schools off the list or placing them in a lower position that disadvantages their child.

The final stage is National Offer Day in March, when parents and pupils discover which school they have been allocated. By this point, the outcome is the product of a chain of earlier decisions: registering on time, preparing steadily, ensuring school preferences were correctly ranked, and understanding how oversubscription rules would be applied. For parents, it can feel as though March is the moment of truth, but in reality, the groundwork is laid many months before. Families who stay ahead of deadlines and plan carefully are far better placed to secure the best outcome for their child.

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Balancing Preparation with Deadlines

One of the greatest challenges for families is balancing academic preparation with the demands of the admissions timetable. While the registration and application deadlines are non-negotiable, preparation is more flexible but just as important.

Many parents in Trafford introduce their child to 11+ style work during Year 4. At this stage, the aim is not to pressure children but to familiarise them with the question types and gently develop the problem-solving skills the exam requires. By Year 5, the pace usually increases. Tutoring, practice papers, and regular revision sessions help consolidate learning, while mock exams provide valuable experience under timed conditions.

The key to effective preparation is consistency. Children benefit from steady, regular practice rather than sudden bursts of last-minute cramming. Spacing out revision allows them to absorb knowledge, build confidence, and refine techniques. At the same time, parents should be wary of doing too much too soon. Children who are pushed excessively risk burnout before Year 6 begins. Finding a sustainable rhythm—one that encourages learning but maintains a balanced lifestyle—gives children the best chance of performing well on the day.

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Trafford 11+ Key Timeline

• Year 4 (early preparation stage)
  Some families begin light preparation at this stage, introducing their child to reasoning skills, vocabulary development, and exam-style questions. This is optional but can provide a helpful foundation.
• Spring term of Year 5 (registration opens)
  Registration for the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium test opens. Parents must complete the online form within the short window provided. Separate registrations are required for Loreto Grammar School and St Ambrose College if applying.
• Summer of Year 5 (building skills)
  Many families use this period to increase focus, often with the support of tutors or structured practice at home. Mock exams and timed papers can help children prepare for real exam conditions.
• September of Year 6 (exam day)
  The 11+ exam takes place early in the autumn term. Consortium schools sit the GL Assessment paper, while Loreto and St Ambrose run their own entrance exams, usually around the same time.
• October of Year 6 (results and school applications)
  Results are sent out in early to mid-October. Parents must then complete the local authority secondary school preference form by 31 October, ensuring that grammar schools are correctly listed in order of genuine preference.
• March of Year 6 (National Offer Day)
  On 1 March, families receive their school allocation. Outcomes depend not only on exam performance but also on how schools were ranked on the application form and how oversubscription rules are applied.

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Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Every year, families stumble over the same avoidable mistakes. One of the most common is failing to register in time, assuming there will be flexibility. Trafford grammar schools are clear: without registration, a child cannot sit the exam, no matter how capable. Another frequent error is misunderstanding the local authority application process. Parents sometimes believe passing the 11+ guarantees a place, when in reality the way schools are ranked on the preference form can affect outcomes dramatically.

Equally problematic is uneven preparation. Some families focus heavily on mathematics, assuming strong numeracy will carry their child through. Others spend hours on vocabulary drills without tackling timed reasoning papers. The Trafford 11+ demands balance: children must be equipped to handle a variety of tasks quickly and accurately.

Finally, there is the issue of stress. Parents understandably want to give their child the best chance, but excessive pressure can backfire. Children perform best when they are confident and supported, not anxious and overwhelmed. Structuring preparation around steady practice, balanced routines, and reassurance is far more effective than long nights of cramming or relentless drilling.

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What Parents Should Do Now

If your child is entering Year 5 or Year 6, this is the time to act. Begin by visiting the Trafford Council website and the admissions pages of your preferred grammar schools to confirm registration dates and exam arrangements. Mark the registration window, exam dates, and the October application deadline on your calendar well in advance.

Consider what level of preparation suits your child best. For some, structured support through a tutor can provide clarity and discipline. For others, home preparation with carefully chosen resources is sufficient. Whatever the route, consistency is key. Encourage your child to work steadily, but also ensure they have time to relax, pursue hobbies, and enjoy family life.

Above all, stay informed. Understanding how the system works, being clear on timelines, and approaching the process with a calm plan of action will make the Trafford 11+ less intimidating. The journey is demanding, but with careful organisation and steady preparation, it is also entirely manageable.

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How Principal Tutors Supports Families Preparing for the Trafford 11+

Securing a place at one of Trafford’s grammar schools is a goal for many families, but the process can feel daunting. From strict registration deadlines to the demands of the exam itself, preparation needs to be both timely and effective. At Principal Tutors, we specialise in one-to-one 11+ tuition with UK-qualified teachers who understand the specific requirements of Trafford’s grammar schools.

Our tutors provide structured, personalised support in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, mathematics, and English, helping pupils build the skills and confidence needed to perform under pressure. We also guide families through the wider journey—mock exam preparation, managing timelines, and balancing study with well-being—so that children approach the test ready for success.

All lessons are delivered online, offering the flexibility to fit tutoring around busy family life. With regular progress updates, parents remain informed and supported every step of the way.

If your child is preparing for the Trafford 11+, Principal Tutors can help you navigate the process with confidence. Call 0800 772 0974 or visit our website to complete a short tutor request form today.

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