Altrincham Grammar School entry is academic: check eligibility, register for the 11+ Secondary Transfer Test, sit it, then name the school on your local authority form. Both the test registration and the council application are needed - passing the test alone does not secure a place. Registration closes in the summer before Year 6, earlier than most families expect.
Roughly one family in six missed their first-choice secondary school for September 2026: 83.6% were offered it. — DfE, School applications and offers, 2026
Altrincham Grammar School, located in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, is renowned for its exceptional academic standards. This selective state school offers an 11+ Secondary Transfer Test (STT) for prospective students. In this blog post, we provide a detailed guide on how to navigate the application process for 11+ entry to Altrincham Grammar School.
What are eligibility criteria?
Before embarking on the application process, it's crucial to verify whether your child meets the eligibility criteria for the upcoming academic year. Students currently in Year 5, who will turn 11 by August 31st of the entry year, are eligible to apply.
What is the application process?
What is obtain the application form?
The first step in the application process is to acquire an application form. This can be done either through the school's official website or by contacting the school directly to request a form.
How do you complete the application form?
When filling out the application form, you will need to provide:
- The student's full name and date of birth
- Current school information
- Details of any special educational needs or medical conditions
How do you submit the application form?
After completing the application form, ensure it is submitted by the specified deadline. It's important to note that late submissions may not be accepted.
What is the 11+ secondary transfer test (STT)?
What are test details?
Eligible students will be invited to sit the 11+ STT, which is typically held in September of the year preceding entry. The test comprises two papers:
- English and Maths
- Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning
4.2 What Happens After the Test?
Post-test, the results are carefully reviewed by Altrincham Grammar School. Admission offers are based on students' performance in these tests, with results typically announced in October of the year before entry.
What should you do next?
Successfully applying for 11+ entry to Altrincham Grammar School involves several critical steps, from verifying eligibility to participating in the 11+ STT. By adhering to the outlined steps and preparing adequately for the test, prospective students can enhance their chances of admission to this prestigious institution.
What else is worth reading?
- Navigating the Admissions Process at Altrincham Grammar School
- Mastering Non-Verbal Reasoning for the Altrincham Grammar School 11+…
- Mastering the 11+ Secondary Transfer Test at Altrincham Grammar School
- Mastering the Altrincham Grammar School 11+ English Exam: A Guide to…
- Mastering the Altrincham Grammar School 11+ Secondary Transfer Test:…
What can this guide not tell you about a particular school?
There is no national 11+ exam. Each school or local authority sets its own test, dates and admissions criteria, and republishes them every year, so the detail here can go out of date within a cycle. Confirm against the school’s own admissions policy and gov.uk school admissions before you rely on any date.
Every school publishes its own rule, and the national position is short:
“All schools have admission criteria to decide which children get places.” — gov.uk, School admissions
Where can you check this at source?
There is no national 11+ exam. Each grammar school or local authority sets its own test, dates and admissions criteria, and publishes them in an admissions policy that changes year to year. Always confirm with the school directly, then check the national rules:
- School admissions (gov.uk) — how applying for a school place works
- Admissions criteria (gov.uk) — how schools are allowed to decide who gets a place
- The School Admissions Code — the statutory rules every admissions authority must follow

