Sale Grammar School does not have a formal catchment area, but distance from the school is used as a tie-breaker when allocating places. Families living closer to the school are prioritised if scores are equal.
Sale Grammar School 11 Plus Guide
If you’re considering Sale Grammar School for your child, this 2025 admissions guide provides everything you need to know. Discover key details about the school, the application process, and how to prepare effectively for the 11 Plus entrance exam.
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
Places per year: 180
Competition: High
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Introduction to
Sale Grammar School
Sale Grammar School is a popular co-educational grammar school in Sale, Greater Manchester, known for its strong academic performance and supportive learning environment. The school offers a balanced education that helps pupils achieve their full potential.
Combining academic excellence with personal growth, Sale Grammar provides a broad curriculum and encourages participation in extracurricular activities such as music, sport, art and leadership opportunities.
Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, Sale Grammar consistently achieves excellent exam results. As part of the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium, it attracts far more applicants than available Year 7 places, making entry through the 11 Plus highly competitive.
1
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Sale Grammar School
2
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Sale Grammar School
3
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Sale Grammar School
4
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
5
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for Sale Grammar School
6
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Sale Grammar School
7
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Sale Grammar School
8
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Sale Grammar School’s Key Information
Information to help with locating and parking at Sale Grammar School, as well as information regarding intake numbers and Ofsted reports.
School Address
Full Address:
Sale Grammar School, Marsland RoadSale
Cheshire
M33 3NH
Contact Information
Email Address
admissions@salegrammar.co.uk
Telephone (Main Office)
0161 973 3217
Website Address
https://www.salegrammar.co.uk/
Parking in the school
There is limited parking within the school, but there is lots of on-street parking just outside the school.Â
Additional parking off site
- Car Park: 3 Warrener St, Trafford, M33 3GE, a 17 minute walk from the school.
- Car Park: 5 Broad Road, Trafford, M33 2AE, a 21 minute walk from the school.
Sale Grammar School Ofsted Report
The quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Sixth-form provision
Outstanding
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Sale Grammar School is an exceptional learning community where pupils and sixth formers achieve highly and show pride in their school.
Academic strength: The curriculum is ambitious, well planned and expertly delivered, enabling pupils to build deep knowledge and make excellent progress.
Teaching and curriculum: Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. They are respectful, enthusiastic and fully engaged in their learning.
Behaviour and culture: Students benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities, leadership roles and community activities that promote confidence and responsibility.
Leadership and safeguarding: The school is exceptionally well led, staff are highly valued, and safeguarding is strong and effective across all areas.
Sale Grammar School Exam Format
Sale Grammar School is part of the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium, which uses one shared entrance exam. Candidates take a single test, and their results can be used to apply to multiple consortium schools, including Sale Grammar.
The Sale Grammar School Entry Exam: Overview
Sale Grammar School’s 11 Plus entry exam consists of two CEM papers. These papers will test Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and Mathematics. Each paper will be approximately 1 hour long, they will occur on the same day, and there will be a short break between the papers.
Paper One:
Covers Verbal Reasoning and Maths, testing reading, logic and numerical skills through short, timed sections.
Paper Two:
Focuses on Non-Verbal Reasoning and may include extra Verbal or Maths questions. It assesses pattern recognition, visual logic and spatial awareness.
CEM 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
There is no fixed pass mark, but successful candidates generally score within the top 25% of all entrants, varying each year depending on competition.
Catchment Area
Sale Grammar School does not have a strict catchment area, but proximity is used as a tie-breaker where necessary. Parents should ensure their home address is correct and up to date when applying.
Additional Eligibility
To be considered for a place, applicants must meet the qualifying standard in the entrance exam. If more pupils qualify than there are available places, priority is given in the following order:
-
Looked after and previously looked after children who meet the qualifying score
-
Children eligible for Pupil Premium who achieve the required mark
-
Children living nearest to the school, measured by straight-line distance
Sale Grammar School does not have a strict catchment area, but proximity is used as a tie-breaker where necessary. Parents should ensure their home address is correct and up to date when applying.
Click here to view the full Sale Grammar School admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Sale Grammar School
Helping your child prepare for the 11 Plus test at Sale Grammar can have a big impact on their confidence and performance. Here are a few tips:
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.
COMING SOON
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 Sale 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.
Sale Grammar School’s Key Dates and Application Information
Here are the important dates for 11 Plus entry to Sale Grammar School.
Entrance Exam Registration Opens
April 2025
Date passed
Registration Deadline
June 2025
Date passed
Entrance Test Date
September 2025
Date passed
Results Released
October 2025
Date passed
Common Application Form Deadline
Thursday 31st October 2025
Date passed
Offer Day
Monday 2nd March 2026
53 days to go
How to Apply
Sale Grammar School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Sale Grammar School, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.
1
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the Sale Grammar School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions Policy
2
Entrance Test Entry Form
You must complete your child’s 11 Plus registration through the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium portal, which is usually open between April and June 2025. Registering during this period ensures your child is eligible to sit the entrance exam in September. It is important to submit the registration before the deadline, as late applications will not be accepted.
Visit School Website
3
Common Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Sale 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.
Sale Grammar School FAQs
Register for the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium entrance exam through the Sale Grammar School website, then list Sale Grammar as a preference on your Local Authority application form by 31 October.
The exam is set by GL Assessment in a CEM-style format and includes multiple-choice questions in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and mathematics. It is split into two timed papers taken on the same day.
Entry is very competitive, with more applicants than available places each year. Successful candidates usually score within the top 25% of all those who take the Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium exam.
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