Loreto Grammar School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment, Individual
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Places per year: 150
Competition: Medium
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Loreto Grammar School
Loreto Grammar School is a Catholic girls’ grammar school in Altrincham, part of Trafford’s selective education system. The school combines academic excellence with a faith-based approach, welcoming girls who meet the 11 Plus entry requirements.
Founded in 1909, Loreto Grammar School has built a reputation for exceptional standards and a supportive learning environment. Its ethos focuses on both academic achievement and personal growth, encouraging students to develop confidence, compassion and resilience.
The school provides education for girls aged 11 to 18, offering a well-rounded curriculum alongside strong pastoral support. Loreto also promotes enrichment through sport, music, drama and community involvement, helping students thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Loreto Grammar School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Loreto Grammar School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Loreto Grammar School
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for Loreto Grammar School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Loreto Grammar School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Loreto Grammar School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Loreto Grammar School’s Key Information
Key information regarding finding the school, where to park, and how to contact the school. There is also information regarding Ofstead inspections and student capacity.
School Address
Full Address:
Loreto Grammar School, Dunham RoadAltrincham
Cheshire
WA14 4AH
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is parking within the school grounds as well as on-street parking nearby.Â
Additional parking off site
- Car Park: 28A George St, Altrincham, WA14 1RH, 0.3 miles from the school.
- Car Park: Post Office St, Altrincham, WA14 1AJ, 0.3 miles from the school.
Loreto Grammar School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Loreto Grammar School is rated outstanding, where pupils flourish academically and personally.
Academic strength: The curriculum is rich, ambitious and carefully designed to help every pupil achieve their best.
Teaching and curriculum: Pupils are highly motivated, respectful and show excellent behaviour in lessons and around school.
Behaviour and culture: Students develop confidence and compassion through leadership roles, community projects and enrichment activities.
Leadership and safeguarding: The school is exceptionally well led, with dedicated staff and a strong culture of care and safety.
Loreto Grammar School Exam Format
Admission to Loreto Grammar School is based on performance in three entrance exam papers: mathematics, English and verbal reasoning. Each test is designed to assess key academic skills and determine eligibility for a Year 7 place.
The Loreto Grammar School Entry Exam: Overview
The 11 Plus entry exam for Loreto Grammar School is made up of 3 papers. 2 of them are closed GL papers, one is a 50 minute Verbal Reasoning paper, and the other is a 45 minute English paper. The final paper is a Maths paper made by the school and will take 45 minutes.
Paper One
The maths paper is set internally by Loreto Grammar School and lasts 45 minutes. It assesses problem-solving ability and understanding of key mathematical concepts.
Paper Two
The English paper is supplied by GL Assessment and also lasts 45 minutes. It focuses on reading comprehension, vocabulary and written accuracy.
Paper Three
The final test, provided by GL Assessment, is the verbal reasoning paper. This lasts 50 minutes and measures logical thinking, language understanding and pattern recognition.
GL 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
The school uses a competitive threshold to allocate places, but a fixed published pass mark is not openly confirmed.
Catchment Area
Loreto Grammar School does not have a formal catchment area. In a tie-break situation, priority is given based on the straight-line distance between the pupil’s home and the school.
Additional Eligibility
To be considered for a place, applicants must pass the Governors’ Entrance Examination and include Loreto Grammar School on their Local Authority application form. When more applicants qualify than there are places, the school applies the following order of priority:
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Baptised Roman Catholic Looked After and Previously Looked After Children
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Baptised Roman Catholic children with a sibling already attending the school
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Baptised Roman Catholic children attending an associated primary school and living in a nominated Local Pastoral Area
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Other Baptised Roman Catholic children
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Other Looked After and Previously Looked After Children
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Baptised girls of other Christian denominations
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Other girls
Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) are admitted before the oversubscription criteria are applied. Full details of the admissions policy, associated primary schools and Local Pastoral Areas are available on the Loreto Grammar School website.
Click here to view the Loreto Grammar School admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Loreto Grammar School
Helping your child prepare effectively for the Loreto Grammar School admissions process can have a significant impact on their success. Here are some practical strategies to support them:
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5. This allows plenty of time for steady progress without creating too much pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed exam papers together to build familiarity with the question style and develop exam technique.
Target Weak Areas
Keep track of their performance and focus extra time on any topics or question types they find more difficult.
Encourage Daily Reading
A regular reading habit helps expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and boost analytical thinking – all vital for the 11 Plus.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools can provide personalised practice and clear feedback to make study time more effective and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Keeping preparation steady, organised and encouraging will help your child feel confident and well-prepared when exam day arrives.
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We’re currently working on setting up a network of local test centres to offer in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely match the format used by Loreto Grammar School. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity for your child to practise under real exam conditions, helping to build confidence and improve performance. Although this service isn’t available just yet, you can register your interest by completing the form below. We’ll get in touch as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
Loreto Grammar School’s Key Dates and Application Information
These are the dates to do with the 11 Plus entry exam that you should know.
Entrance Exam Registration Opens
Open Day
Entrance Exam Registration Closes
Entrance Exam
Common Application Form Deadline
National Offer Day
Loreto Grammar School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Loreto Grammar School, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the Loreto Grammar School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyEntrance Test Entry Form
Online registration for the Loreto Grammar School Governors’ Entrance Examination will open at 10am on Saturday 28th June 2025 and close on Thursday 31st July 2025. Parents must complete the registration within this window to ensure their child is eligible to sit the entrance exam.
Visit School WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Loreto Grammar School listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed, failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
Loreto Grammar School FAQs
Register for the school’s entrance exam through the Loreto Grammar School website, then list Loreto as a preference on your Local Authority application form by 31 October.
The entrance exam includes three papers: mathematics (45 minutes), English (45 minutes) and verbal reasoning (50 minutes). The English and verbal reasoning papers are provided by GL Assessment.
Entry is very competitive, with more applicants than available places. Priority is given based on exam performance and the school’s oversubscription criteria.
Loreto Grammar School does not have a formal catchment area, but if places are tied, distance from the school is used as a deciding factor.