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Urmston Grammar Academy 11+ entrance test
Urmston Grammar Academy is a mixed state grammar school in Manchester for ages 11 to 18. Children applying for a Year 7 place sit the Trafford Grammar School Consortium 11+ test (FSCE format). This page explains that test and how to prepare. Admission rules change, so always check the school’s own admissions policy.
School at a glance
- School
- Mixed state grammar school
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Area
- Manchester (Trafford)
- Website
- www.urmstongrammar.org.uk
Source: Get Information about Schools (Department for Education), read 1 November 2026. NITU is not connected with the school.
The test
What we know about the Trafford Grammar School Consortium 11+ test (FSCE format). Each detail is labelled with where it comes from.
- Reported
- From September 2028 entry the consortium’s test covers Key Stage 2 English and maths up to the end of Year 5, provided by Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE) and replacing the earlier reasoning test. It is sat in September 2027 (September of Year 6); from 2029 entry it is reported to move to the summer term of Year 5. Loreto Grammar School and St Ambrose College use a different test.
- Published
- FSCE’s candidate guide describes the paper types: Adventure (multiple choice, shade an oval in black pen), Beacon (short answers, one digit or one capital letter per box) and Compass (multiple choice). Wrong answers are not penalised.
- Reported
- For 2027 entry (the last of the earlier tests), registration ran from 23 April to 19 June 2026 and the test was on 14 September 2026. Dates for 2028 entry had not been published at the time of writing; expect registration in spring to early summer 2027 and the test in September 2027.
- Not published
- That Trafford uses these paper types; the number of questions (27, 24 and 30); about 45 minutes per paper; four options per question; and the English and maths mix in each paper. Trafford has not published these.
- Not published
- One source suggests some subjects beyond English and maths may appear; the consortium’s announcement names English and maths only.
Trafford has not been reported to use FSCE’s creative-writing paper, so there is no writing task.
Check with the Trafford Grammar School Consortium schools’ admissions pages before relying on any detail.
Other schools that use this test
- Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham
- Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Altrincham
- Sale Grammar School, Sale
- Stretford Grammar School, Manchester
How to prepare
- Practise filling in a separate answer sheet, so marking the right box becomes automatic and no time is lost on test day.
- Practise writing answers in full, showing working in maths and using evidence from the text in English: marks are given for method and explanation, not just the final answer.
- Sit full mock tests under timed conditions only every week or two, and spend the time in between on the question types that cost marks.
Read our full guide to this test.
Practice papers for this test
Original mock papers based on the published format, with answers explained. Every option has a free sample.
Four full mock tests in the new FSCE format announced for 2028 entry: Adventure, Beacon and Compass papers in English and maths, with answer sheets, explanations and a parent guide.
Four more full mock tests in the same format as Set 1, with new questions throughout, answer sheets, answers and the parent guide.
A revision handbook for the Trafford (FSCE format): 53 lessons teaching the methods for maths and English, with worked examples, practice questions, must-know lists and a 12-week plan.
Everything for this test in one download: Set 1 and Set 2 (eight full mock tests) and the revision handbook. £39.97 if bought separately.
Questions parents ask
Which 11+ test does Urmston Grammar Academy use?
Children applying for a Year 7 place sit the Trafford Grammar School Consortium 11+ test (FSCE format). Arrangements can change from year to year, so check the school’s admissions policy.
Is Urmston Grammar Academy a boys’, girls’ or mixed school?
The Department for Education’s register lists it as a mixed school for ages 11 to 18. It has a sixth form. Some schools admit other pupils into the sixth form, so check the school’s website.
Does a good test score guarantee a place?
No. A test score on its own does not guarantee a place. Places are offered under the school’s admission rules, which can include a qualifying score, distance or other criteria. Read the school’s admissions policy for the year you are applying.
Are your papers produced by the school?
No. NITU is independent. Our papers are original practice material based on the published format of the test; they are not produced or endorsed by Urmston Grammar Academy or any test provider.
Sources: check these yourself
The facts on this page come from these official pages. Use them to check anything before you rely on it.
Links checked in November 2026. Schools and councils update their pages each year, and the school’s current admissions policy always comes first.